Firefighter challenge

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Mike Melton competes against another firefighter on the second day of the World Firefighter Combat Challenge. The competition ends Dec. 3. The Travis Team Firefighters are trying to retain their title as world champions. Sergeant Melton is a firefighter assigned to the 349th Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew McGovern)

Operation Seasons Greetings

Trick Pony, Country Music Award winners, join up with Blues Traveler's John Popper to hitch a ride and entertain U.S. troops in Germany, Turkey, a forward-operating base in Southwest Asia, and a final stop at Keflivik, Iceland. From left, Ira Dean, Heidi Newfield, John Popper and Keith Burns bring it all together to tell the troops thanks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken Hackman)

Helping the wounded get home

Technical Sgt. Katheryn Bicker (left) prepares Technical Sgt. Karla Jeremiah-Griffith for her next watch at Ramstein's 435th Contigency Air Staging Facility. The two shift leaders help wounded troops get home as soon as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Bob Thompson)

Back home

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFPN) -- Reservists from the 41st Aerial Port unload a 5,000 pound generator from a C-130J Hercules. The aircraft returned home after flying missions out of Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., since Hurricane Katrina bashed apart its home base. The 403rd Wing mission, which includes the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron's "Hurricane Hunters" and the 815th Airlift Squadron's "Flying Jennies," fully reinstated its mission at Keesler after Hurricane Katrina damaged their home unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chance Babin)

Wilma relief

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Refueling specialists from the 482d Fighter Wing have refueled more than 200 tractor trailers engaged in Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Wilma relief operations. Their operation began Oct. 20. U.S. Air Force photo by Lisa M. Macias)

Wilma relief

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- The Hurricane Wilma clean-up process began immediately after the storm passed here. As part of the clean-up, several base agencies moved into different buildings to ensure the continuity of mission-essential functions. Wilma hit the base Oct. 24. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lisa M. Macias)