Joint Safety Day

Jay Knowles displays his North American T-6, one of the first aircraft to be flown into a hurricane, next to one of Keesler’s C-130Js from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters”, during Joint Safety Day May 18, 2013 at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Miss. A product of the Mid-Air Collision Avoidance program, the event was open to all area pilots to increase dialogue between the military and civilian aviation communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Joint Safety Day

A Keesler C-130J from the 815th Airlift Squadron performs a training airdrop during Joint Safety Day May 18, 2013 at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Miss. A product of the Mid-Air Collision Avoidance program, the event was open to all area pilots to increase dialogue between the military and civilian aviation communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Joint Safety Day

Lt. Col. Jeff Ragusa, 403rd Wing chief of safety, briefs civilian pilots on C-130J flight patterns and behaviors in the Keesler airspace during Joint Safety Day May 18, 2013 at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Miss. A product of the Mid-Air Collision Avoidance program, the event was open to all area pilots to increase dialogue between the military and civilian aviation communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Joint Safety Day

Dave Burghard, pilot; Maj. Troy Kirkbride, 81st Operations Support Squadron commander; Burl Nelson, president of the Experimental Aviation Association Chapter 479 and Dudley Cruse, 81st Training Wing chief of flight safety, discuss the nearby Gulfstream G200 aircraft during Joint Safety Day May 18, 2013 at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Miss. A product of the Mid-Air Collision Avoidance program, the event was open to all area pilots to increase dialogue between the military and civilian aviation communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

81st Security Forces change of command

Col. Mark Vivians, 81st Mission Support Group commander; Maj. Matthew Pignataro, outgoing 81st Security Forces Squadron commander, and Maj. Brian Fitzpatrick, incoming 81st SFS commander, applaud during the 81st SFS change of command ceremony May 13, 2013, at the Bay Breeze Event Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Vivians served as the presiding officer for the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler hosts Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Michelle Bonner, athlete, swims in the 25 meter back stroke during the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games on May 11, 2013, at the Biloxi natatorium. More than 900 athletes and 3,000 volunteers worked together to hold competitions throughout the day. This is the 27th year Keesler Air Force Base has hosted the state Special Olympics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)