Features - Page 3

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)

Wired Up, Fired Up
November 4, 2014 — Wired up and fired up, the unit responsible for establishing and maintaining communicative capabilities for Team Andrews is the 744th Communications Squadron. The main focuses of this squadron are land-to-mobile radio communications, the giant voice, and the public address system."Our mission is to ensure communication options are always ready and... MORE

Airman 1st Class Ralph Fogg (right) and Senior Airman Robert Lewis, 744th Communication Squadron radio frequency technicians, examine motherboard components for a giant voice system at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Aug. 26, 2014. The 744 CS is responsible for land-to-mobile communications, the giant voice and public address system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Joshua R. M. Dewberry)

Wingmen serve terminally ill ‘Pilots for a Day’
October 8, 2014 — Eight-year-old Ne'Vaeh Littleton transforms from brain cancer patient to pilot as he promises to "have as much fun as military regulations allow" in the Pilot for a Day program.Looking handsome in his personalized flight suit, 8-year-old Ne'Vaeh took his oath of office promising to "ask questions, smile a lot, and have as much fun as military... MORE

Ne’Veah Littleton with Lt. Col. Rob Balzano, 201st Airlift Squadron Operational Support Flight commander, during a day in which Ne’Veah was appointed a pilot for the Pilot for a Day program Joint Base Andrews, Md., Nov. 22, 2013. Ne’Veah is a terminally ill child diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, which is a tumor on the brain stem.

EAS team is selected as Warriors of the Week
September 11, 2014 — This week's Warriors of the Week are Staff Sgts. Marixsa Chicas (center) and Matthew Shortridge (not pictured), and Senior Airmen Michael Aguirre (right) and Brandon Marshall (left), 811th Security Forces Squadron executive aircraft security. EAS teams provide security for the President of the United States, the Vice President, the First Lady,... MORE

(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Joshua R. M. Dewberry)

Redcoats marched through Andrews to Battle of Bladensburg
August 22, 2014 — Echoes of battles past whisper through the landscape of many military installations. But, 200 years ago, elements of the British army marched through the hills and woods of what is now Joint Base Andrews.The redcoats landed in Benedict, Maryland, under the command of Maj. Gen. Robert Ross in 1814 with the goal of sieging Washington's population of... MORE

(Historical reenactment photo courtesy Ralph E. Eshelman)

11th FSS: Taking care of Airmen
August 20, 2014 — The 11th Force Support Squadron has the daunting task of servicing approximately 60,000 Airmen in the National Capital Region and Worldwide.With such a diverse population, different parts of the squadron aim to focus on the various needs families may have.Lt. Col. Colin Huckins, 11th FSS commander, said squadron's main priority is to serve the... MORE