Air Forces Northern chief master sergeant awarded Bronze Star

During his deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Chief Master Sergeant Joseph Sluder was accompanied by “Flat Stanley,” a gift from his son. The chief said it was given to him as a reminder his son was there with him constantly. Eventually, the character returned to the United States for a local school presentation about his overseas adventures. (Courtesy photo)

Total Team Tyndall

A contractor works to temporarily alter a gate post to enable the F-15C Eagle to pass through on its way from the flight line side to the support side of the base. Early in the morning Feb. 10, it took a total team effort to move an F-15C Eagle from the flight line to the support side where it is scheduled to become a static display in front of the Killey Center. There were participants from Air Forces Northern, the 325th Fighter Wing and local civil authorities.

Maj. Gen. William H. Etter

Maj. Gen. William H. Etter

Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling

Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling

Injured commercial sailor rescued by PJs

A California Air National Guard pararescueman from the 131st Rescue Squadron, Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., hoist down to a merchant vessel, Nov. 29, 2012. The pararescuemen rescued an injured commercial sailor 300 miles southwest of the coast of Cabo San Lucas. (photo courtesy by California Air National Guard)

Colonel Spear's retirement ceremony

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sid Clarke, left, Commander of Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), presents a certificate of retirement to Col. Randy Spear during a retirement ceremony held here Nov. 20, 2012. Colonel Spear served as the commander of the 601st AOC for nearly three and half years. The 601st AOC is responsible for detecting, deterring, defending and if necessary, defeating any aviation threat to the citizens of the United States and to U.S. critical infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lisa Norman/Released)

JACCE deploys to JB MDL to support hurricane-relief effort

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Members of the Joint Force Land Component Command work in the JFLCC's temporary facility Nov. 7, 2012, in Building 5403 on Dix at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The JFLCC was the state's largest military coordination unit to support the hurricane-relief effort. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)

JACCE deploys to JB MDL to support hurricane-relief effort

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Bill Solar, Joint Force Land Component Command information management officer, inputs information into databases at the JFLCC's temporary facility Nov. 7, 2012, in Building 5403 on Dix at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The JFLCC was the state's largest military coordination unit to support the hurricane-relief effort. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)

JB MDL hosts engineers clearing Hurricane Sandy flood waters

Water rushes through pipes and hoses set up by the 331st Air Expeditionary Group at the Rockaway wastewater treatment facility, Nov. 5, 2012. Approximately 50 Air Force civil engineers and 12 industrial pumps were sent from different locations around the country to form the 331st AEG, whose mission to help pump flood water from critical areas damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The 331st AEG are utilizing Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., facilities and equipment to assist their support operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Sybil Taunton/Released)

JB MDL hosts engineers clearing Hurricane Sandy flood waters

Master Sgt. Joseph Ferris, of the 823rd Red Horse Squadron, from Hurlburt Field, Fla., discusses a plan with a representative of the Rockaway wastewater treatment facility to clear sewage and debris blocking the tanks from properly processing water, Nov. 5, 2012. Approximately 50 Air Force civil engineers and 12 industrial pumps were sent from different locations around the country to form the 331st Air Expeditionary Group, whose mission to help pump flood water from critical areas damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The 331st AEG are utilizing Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., facilities and equipment to assist their support operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Sybil Taunton/Released)

JB MDL hosts engineers clearing Hurricane Sandy flood waters

Members of the 331st Air Expeditionary Group, a unit comprised of civil engineers from 5 different duty locations across the U.S., unload large hoses used to pump water from homes devastated by flood water left behind by Hurricane Sandy, Nov. 5, 2012. The 331st AEG staged personnel and equipment at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. during their support operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Sybil Taunton/Released)

JB MDL hosts engineers clearing Hurricane Sandy flood waters

Staff Sgt. John Johnson and Senior Airman Jerl Dunn, of the 823rd Red Horse Squadron, from Hurlburt Field, Fla., role a low-pressure hose and before loading it onto a trailer while staged at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 4, 2012, to prepare for hurricane relief operations. Approximately 50 Air Force civil engineers and 12 industrial pumps were sent from different locations around the country to form the 331st Air Expeditionary Group, whose mission is to help clear flood water from critical areas damaged by Hurricane Sandy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Sybil Taunton/Released)