Features

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)

457th Airlift Squadron, transporting senior leaders
January 16, 2015 — The 457th Airlift Squadron is stationed on Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, but is a part of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.Although they are a geographically separated unit and a small squadron, their mission is essential to senior leaders and the Air Force."Our mission is to transport leaders, primarily within the... MORE

1st Lt. Jeff Morrow, 457th Airlift Squadron pilot, looks out the cockpit window of a C-21 on Joint Base Andrews, Md., Jan. 9, 2015. The mission of the 457th AS is to transport the nation's leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ryan J. Sonnier)

Slopes for the folks of Andrews
January 9, 2015 — When the weather outside is frightful, and a fire might be quite delightful. There is one place to go; Andrews Outdoor Recreation.With each passing week of the winter season the temperatures begin to drop and the hibernation season begins for many, including Airmen.The 11th Force Support Squadron's Outdoor Recreation does its best to give the Joint... MORE

Airman 1st Class Mark A. Claborne, 11th Security Forces Squadron member, poses for a photo with winter gear at the 11th Force Support Squadron's Outdoor Recreation, Jan. 9, 2015. Claborne is renting equipment for a trip he plans to attend. (U.S. Air Force/Airman 1st Class Philip Bryant)

AFW2 helps Airmen take steps toward recovery
November 19, 2014 — One would never know the twelve current and retired Airmen walking into the Joint Base Andrews West Fitness Center, Nov. 18, were wounded, ill or seriously injured.Minutes later it is evident as the bleachers and floor fill with gym bags, volleyballs and prosthetic limbs, and two K-9s sit loyally on the sideline waiting for their owners to return... MORE

Kai, a service dog, lays on the lap of Staff Sgt. August O'Niell during an Air Force wounded, ill or injured warrior sitting volleyball practice at the Joint Base Andrews West Fitness Center, Nov. 18. O'Niell, a pararescueman, was wounded in July 2011 during a deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Brian Ferguson)