EOD Memorial moment

A Soldier touches the name of one of the fallen explosive ordnance disposal technicians listed on the memorial wall after the 43rd Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

EOD Memorial moment

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz salutes before taking a folded flag to a family member of a fallen explosive ordnance disposal Airman during the annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Schwartz was the guest speaker at the event that honored 18 EOD technicians, five of which were Airmen. With the new names added, there are now 287 names inscribed on the memorial wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

EOD Memorial moment

Lt. Cmdr. Rudy Schoen salutes the names of his fellow explosive ordnance disposal Sailors inscribed on the memorial wall during the 43rd Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

EOD Memorial moment

A Marine salutes after handing off a folded flag during the 43rd Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Anthem

Lauren Seidler places her hand over her heart as military members salute during the national anthem at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony to begin May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Seidler’s son, Airman 1st Class Matthew Seidler, was one of five fallen EOD Airmen honored at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Navy formation

Navy explosive ordnance disposal students were part of the joint service formations assembled to honor the service members killed in 2011 at the 43rd Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

EOD Memorial moment

A bagpiper makes a last minute hat adjustment before performing during the 43rd Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Honoring EOD

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz salutes a family member of a fallen explosive ordnance disposal Airman during the annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Schwartz was the guest speaker at the event that honored 18 EOD technicians, five of which were Airmen. With the new names added, there are now 287 names inscribed on the memorial wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Taps

An Air Force bugler plays Taps at the conclusion of the 43rd Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz (left) was the guest speaker for the event that honored 18 EOD technicians, five of which were Airmen. With the new names added, there are now 287 names inscribed on the memorial wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

We remember

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presents a folded flag to Christina Hamski during the annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Hamski’s husband, Staff Sgt. Joseph Hamski, was one of five fallen EOD Airmen honored at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Wreath for AF EOD memorial wall

Tech. Sgt. Benjamin McGraw, 366th Training Squadron Det. 3, carries in a wreath to be placed in front of the Air Force portion of the explosive ordnance disposal memorial wall during the 43rd Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was the guest speaker for the event that honored 18 EOD technicians, five of which were Airmen. With the new names added, there are now 287 names inscribed on the memorial wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Formation of Airmen

Explosive ordnance disposal student Airmen were part of the joint service formations assembled to honor the service members killed in 2011 at the 43rd Annual EOD Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was the guest speaker for the event that honored 18 EOD technicians, five of which were Airmen. With the new names added, there are now 287 names inscribed on the memorial wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

In memory

Aliza reads the bio of her father, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Schwartz, a fallen explosive ordnance disposal Airman being honored at the 43rd Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was the guest speaker for the event that honored the technical sergeant and 17 EOD technicians. With the new names added, there are now 287 names inscribed on the memorial wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

A somber tone

A bagpiper performs for a crowd of hundreds prior to the 43rd Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony May 5, 2012, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was the guest speaker for the event that honored 18 EOD technicians, five of which were Airmen. With the new names added, there are now 287 names inscribed on the memorial wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Helping hands

Sarah Massengill, a victim of a simulated aircraft fire is secured before emergency responders move her to the triage area during a mass casualty exercise at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport April 19. The scenario called for emergency units from Eglin, Okaloosa County and the airport to respond to an aircraft on fire containing more than 40 passengers. Response, communication and accountability were among many procedures under evaluation at the exercise. Inside the airport, employees were tested on their response to an influx of friends and family members looking for information about the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration mandates this type of major accident exercise execution every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Team effort

An Eglin firefighter and a Northwest Florida Regional Airport employee evaluate a victim of a simulated aircraft fire as medical personnel walk to the next victim during a mass casualty exercise at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport April 19. The scenario called for emergency units from Eglin, Okaloosa County and the airport to respond to an aircraft on fire containing more than 40 passengers. Response, communication and accountability were among many procedures under evaluation at the exercise. Inside the airport, employees were tested on their response to an influx of friends and family members (of the simulated victims) looking for information about the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration mandates this type of major accident exercise execution every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

1st response

Eric Alexander, a victim of a simulated aircraft fire, is removed from the aircraft during a mass casualty exercise at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport April 19. The scenario called for emergency units from Eglin, Okaloosa County and the airport to respond to an aircraft on fire containing more than 40 passengers. Response, communication and accountability were among many procedures under evaluation at the exercise. Inside the airport, employees were tested on their response to an influx of friends and family members looking for information about the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration mandates this type of major accident exercise execution every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

On the way

An Eglin firefighter brings out a stretcher to a wounded victim of a simulated aircraft fire during the mass casualty exercise at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport April 19. The scenario called for emergency units from Eglin, Okaloosa County and the airport to respond to an aircraft on fire containing more than 40 passengers. Response, communication and accountability were among many procedures under evaluation at the exercise. Inside the airport, employees were tested on their response to an influx of friends and family members looking for information about the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration mandates this type of major accident exercise execution every three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

International visit

Marine Col. Art Tomassetti, 33rd Fighter Wing vice commander, explains the capabilities of the weapons load trainer, a life-sized F-35 mock-up housed inside the F-35 Academic Training Center to more than 35 foreign officers visiting Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 18. The visit was part of the semiannual Foreign Attaché Operations Orientation, a program created to introduce foreign guests to the U.S. federal agencies’ people and missions as well as expose them to industrial, historical and cultural aspects of American society to enhance direct communications with foreign governments and military commanders among other objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

Brainstorming

Airman 1st Class Joe Williams, a member of the 96th Medical Support Squadron, shares an idea with Daniel Mayo, who facilitated the single Airman support working group at the Caring for People forum. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)

Motorcycle Safety Rally

A rider shows she’s ready to ride at Eglin’s annual motorcycle safety rally. The rally brought together a record number of 650 bikers from all services and bases for safety discussions, riding courses and group rides. (U.S. Air Force photo/Irene Freiberg)

Motorcycle Safety Rally

A custom-painted rock-n-roll bike sits on the flightline in front of the climatic lab April 13 at Eglin’s annual motorcycle safety rally. The rally brought together a record number of 650 bikers from all services and bases for safety discussions, riding courses and group rides. (U.S. Air Force photo/Irene Freiberg)

Motorcycle Safety Rally

Bikers check out the custom paint job on the overall best bike award winner at Eglin’s annual motorcycle safety rally April 13. The rally brought together a record number of 650 bikers from all services and bases for safety discussions, riding courses and group rides. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)

Motorcycle Safety Rally

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant, the Air Armament Center commander, speaks to a record crowd of 650 at Eglin’s annual motorcycle safety rally April 13. The rally brought together bikers from all services and bases for safety discussions, riding courses and group rides. (U.S. Air Force photo/Randy Gon)