bolt action

An Airman breaks down the bolt carrier of his M-16 during the during the Phase II exercise Feb. 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Phase II included self-aid and buddy care, weapons, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training. Airmen learned the proper procedures for self-aid and buddy care, field stripping a weapon and also how to wear and work in their chemical gear and gas masks. Three chalks of Eglin Airmen participated in Phase I and II exercises as part of an Operational Readiness Exercise throughout the week of Feb. 22-25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Test profile

An Airman tests the seal on his gas mask during the Phase II exercise Feb. 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Phase II included self-aid and buddy care, weapons, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training. Airmen learned the proper procedures on how to wear and work in their chemical gear and gas masks. Three chalks of Eglin Airmen participated in Phase I and II exercises as part of an Operational Readiness Exercise throughout the week of Feb. 22-25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Weapon ready

Staff Sgt. Terence Walker, 96th Force Support Squadron, and Airman 1st Class McKenzie Young, 96th Medical Operations Squadron, familiarize themselves with their weapons during the Phase II exercise Feb. 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Phase II included self-aid and buddy care, weapons, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training. Airmen learned the proper procedures for self-aid and buddy care, field stripping a weapon and also how to wear and work in their chemical gear and gas masks. Three chalks of Eglin Airmen participated in Phase I and II exercises as part of an Operational Readiness Exercise throughout the week of Feb. 22-25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Buddy carry

Airmen from the 96th Air Base Wing practice securing the patient during self-aid and buddy care training at the Phase II exercise Feb. 24 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Phase II included self-aid and buddy care, weapons, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training. Airmen learned the proper procedures for cleaning and loading their weapons and also how to wear and work in their chemical gear and gas masks. Three chalks of Eglin Airmen participated in Phase I and II exercises as part of an Operational Readiness Exercise throughout the week of Feb. 22-25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Horton Hangar name unveiling

Lt. Col. (ret.) Dick Cole and Master Sgt. (ret.) Wes Fields unveil the newly named Horton Hangar, atop the Horton J-Primes Test Facility Feb. 23 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The hangar was named for Master Sgt. Edwin Horton, one of the original “Doolittle’s Raiders,” who, along with Cole, was part of a precedence-setting bombing mission of the Japanese mainland in World War II. Sergeant Horton served in the Army, Air Force and civil service for more than 45 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

The untold story

Rev. Jerry C. Jones speaks at the African American Heritage Luncheon Feb. 22 at the enlisted club. The luncheon, attended by more than 100 people, honored African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Directions

Staff Sgt. Anthony Bagent, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, signals his teammate to stop at the Load Crew of the Year competition Feb. 11 at Eglin. Teams competed against each other to see who could properly load munitions on an F-16 quickest with the fewest errors. Winners will be announced at the annual award banquet March 4. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Double check

Senior Airman Krystal Orth, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, makes sure everything is secure on her team’s aircraft at the Load Crew of the Year competition Feb. 11 at Eglin. The blue and red teams competed against each other to see who could properly load munitions on an F-16 quickest with the fewest errors. Winners will be announced at the annual award banquet March 4. (U.S. Air Force photo/Sachel Seabrook)

Thanks for the gifts

Airman 1st Class Noah Blach, 96th Communications Squadron, presents Valentine’s Day cards to Air Force veteran David Woods Feb. 14, during his visit to 'Wellington Place' in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Airman Blach joined more than 200 Eglin Airmen who presented homemade valentines and flowers to local retirement home residents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

Gift of love

Staff Sgt. John Dorriety, 46th Test Wing, presents Valentine’s Day cards to Air Force veteran Bill Colgan Feb. 14, during his visit to Wellington Place in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Sergeant Dorriety joined more than 200 Eglin Airmen who presented homemade valentines and flowers to local retirement home residents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

Generational link

Chief Master Sgt. (ret) Walter Richardson, speaks with other attendees after the birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The chief joined the military in 1949 and served in the famous "Tuskegee Airmen," an Army Air Corps program that trained African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. Later in Chief Richardson's career, he served as an aircraft mechanic at Eglin and retired from Hulburt Field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Under the blade

The 53rd Wing hosted a mini-airshow as part of their 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Six different aircraft types representing just a few of the airframes the 53rd Wing use to conduct their mission of operational testing and evaluation were on display. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)