Features

11th MSG, proud to support
November 6, 2015 — A city needs certain jobs to make sure it can operate. Fire fighters, maintenance crews and personalist are just a few.And just like a city, here at Joint Base Andrews these jobs and more are tasked to the 11th Mission Support Group to keep JBA operating."The mission of the MSG is to provide installation and combat support to total force, joint and... MORE

Airman 1st Class Austyn Helgeson and Senior Airman Scott Burdick, 11th Wing Civil Engineer firefighters, put out a fire during a live fire exercise at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct. 7, 2015. The exercise was part of the fire prevention week on JBA. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Philip Bryant/Released)

Balanced life
October 22, 2015 — The U.S. Air Force recognizes four areas of life that contribute to a balanced lifestyle. Those four areas of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness, referred to as pillars, are mental, social, physical and spiritual.Last year, April 2, 2014, a new AFI 90-506 was published that established flexibility for commanders and community support coordinators to run... MORE

Master Sgt. Jermey Lawley, 11th Wing Equal Opportunity superintendent, and the West Fitness center on Joint Base Andrews, Md., in a double exposure photograph to represent the physical fitness pillar of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class Philip Bryant/Released)

Vietnam Veteran honored in D.C.
May 26, 2015 — The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard hosted a flag folding ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 19, 2015.The ceremony, for Air Force Capt. Glenn Cook, a Vietnam War veteran, preceded a memorial service in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Cook, born on Sept. 10, 1945, was a Forward Air Controller stationed in Cam... MORE

Air Force Capt. Glenn Cook was a Vietnam War veteran whose plane was shot down near Nha Trang, Vietnam, Oct. 21, 1969. His remains were never found. He was honored the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard held a flag folding ceremony May 19, 2015, at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy photo)

811th Airmen awarded VP Service Badge
May 21, 2015 — Four members of the 811th Security Forces Squadron have been awarded the Vice Presidential Service Badge for their mission support of the Vice President of the United States, May 21, 2015.The badge was awarded to 811 SFS members Staff Sgt. Peter Velez, former NCO in-charge of vice presidential aircraft security, Staff Sgt. Leonard Antonio, vice... MORE

The Vice Presidential Service Badge is awarded to Staff Sgt. Peter Velez, former 811 Security Forces Squadron NCO in-charge of vice presidential aircraft security, Staff Sgt. Leonard Antonio, 811 SFS vice presidential aircraft security team leader, Staff Sgt. Sorhaindo Peter, 811 SFS vice presidential aircraft security team leader, Senior Airman Albert Ritterbeck, 811 SFS vice presidential aircraft security team members at Joint Base Andrews, Md., May 21, 2015. Only 473 people have been awarded the VPSB since its establishment in July, 1970. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joshua R. M. Dewberry)

Singing Sergeants seek skilled soprano
May 14, 2015 — In a small windowless room lined with U.S. Air Force paintings and a long wood table sits six of 13 women in anticipation of their audition. A chance to wear the U.S. Air Force uniform.They wait quietly as they flip through pages of prepared music.The women are from all over the country; Oregon, Kentucky and Illinois. Some have bachelor's degrees,... MORE

Kristen Basore, audition participant, studies music in Hangar Two as she prepares to audition for a Singing Sergeant soprano position at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C., May 5, 2015. Basore is one of 13 finalists auditioning for a position in the U.S. Air Force Band’s Singing Sergeants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Philip Bryant)

Air Force Home Makeover: JBA Edition
March 30, 2015 — Recently, more than 45 Joint Base Andrews volunteers came together to help an 89th Communications Squadron Airman renovate his family's house to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.Tech. Sgt. Melvin Mateo, 89 CS Government Network Operations Center crew chief, said he was extremely grateful people were so willing to help him during a... MORE

Joint Base Andrews volunteers gather equipment in preparation for home renovations in Bowie, Md., Jan. 29, 2015. Members gathered to help fix Tech. Sgt. Melvin Mateo’s home for his special-needs daughter. Mateo is an 89th Communications Squadron Government Network Operations Center crew chief. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan J. Sonnier)

Telling the future with 100% accuracy
March 26, 2015 — You can plan a picnic with other's forecasts, but you can't do flight operations, according to Capt. Kurtis Schubeck, 89th Operational Support Squadron/Operational Weather Squadron flight commander.Flight operations are hardly a picnic, but the 89 OSS/OSW ensured mission readiness by correctly forecasting eight-out-of-eight winter weather systems... MORE

Senior Airman Kyle Alexander, 89th Operational Support Squadron/Operational Weather Squadron weather forecaster, is coined by Col. Brad Hoagland, JBA/11th Wing commander, at the weather flight office on Joint Base Andrews, Md., March 13th, 2015. The 89 OSS/OSW is being recognized for correctly forecasted eight-out-of-eight winter weather system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Philip Bryant)

Black Flag first responders train with tunnel vision
March 19, 2015 — Cold and dimly-lit walls surround Airmen dressed in crinkling, sweaty plastic suits to protect against unknown hazards. Firefighters, paramedics, emergency responders, bioenvironmental engineers and police forces share the former highway tunnel year-round for numerous crisis situation exercises.Surrounded by wilderness for two weeks in Gallagher,... MORE

Senior Airman Tony Pauline (center), gets geared up for a chemical agent training exercise with help from Staff Sgt. Yaoska Quintana (left) and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Moroz (right) in the Memorial Tunnel at the Center for National Response in Gallagher, WV., March 17, 2015. All three Airmen are members of the 779th Aerospace Medical Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Joshua R. M. Dewberry)

Band AIMS to inspire students
March 10, 2015 — The bell rings, gossip fills the halls and the U.S. Air Force rock band, Max Impact's tunes greet students as they file into their second period classes.The grinning elementary schoolers hit alarmingly high notes as they sing along during the band's assembly.While, some high school students draw their phones to start recording the performance,... MORE

Skyline High School students sing Journey’s, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” with Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Carson, U.S. Air Force Band Max Impact vocalist, during an educational outreach program in Mesa, Ariz., Jan. 30, 2015. Max Impact mentored, advised and educated students during an Advancing Innovation through Music clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

Making the cut: drill team sharpens trainees
January 21, 2015 — A duct-taped, 12-pound rifle fixed with an 11-inch blade launches up in the air, heightening tension, as it finds a drill team trainee's hand, arm or the ground, in preparation for its next movement.CLANK, CLANK, THUD!"Weapon down!" yells the trainee, as his heels clink together and he pops to attention.The trainees also halt their drill movements,... MORE

Trainees perform mountain climbers during United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team Training at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Md., Jan. 13, 2015. Six trainees volunteer eight, 60-hour weeks to learn to learn weapon maneuvers and calisthenics to gain a spot on the team. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Nesha Humes)