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)

Keesler hosts Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Carl Washington, athlete, assists Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, 81st Training Wing commander, with lighting the caldron following the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games torch run May 10, 2013, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. This is the 27th year Keesler has hosted the state Special Olympics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler hosts Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games

Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy (holding torch), 81st Training Wing commander, and other base leadership lead the Special Olympics Mississippi Summer Games torch through a parade of Airmen as they made their way to light the caldron May 10, 2013, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. This is the 27th year Keesler has hosted the state Special Olympics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Airfield Operators learn variety of skills at Keesler

Tarun Chowdhary, 81st Operations Support Flight terminal instrument procedures specialist, and Maj. Troy Kirkbride, 81st OSF commander, review airspace obstructions May 3, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Airfield Operators perform and manage airfield operations functions and activities, including air traffic control, airfield management, and base operations to facilitate the flying mission at their base. They provide staff supervision and technical assistance, as well as develop and formulate plans and policies for managing and operating Air Force airfield operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Airfield Operators learn variety of skills at Keesler

Reneé Smith, 81st Operations Support Flight, looks through aircrew records which consist of more than 300 active duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, combat controllers and aeromedical personnel May 3, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Airfield Operators perform and manage airfield operations functions and activities, including air traffic control, airfield management, and base operations to facilitate the flying mission at their base. They provide staff supervision and technical assistance, as well as develop and formulate plans and policies for managing and operating Air Force airfield operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler features occupational therapist

Capt. Laura Dossett, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron occupational therapist, applies kinesio tape on a patient’s arm for edema management May 3, 2013, at the Keesler Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Dossett is Keesler’s only occupational therapist and works primarily with arm, wrist and hand ailments that restrict every-day tasks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Motorcycle safety course offered at Keesler

Tech. Sgt. Jason Sharp, 403rd Maintenance Squadron, receives driving instruction from Randy Logan, 338th Training Squadron and motorcycle safety course instructor, during a motorcycle safety course April 18, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The course is offered two times a month and teaches students the basic operating skills and safety rules for riding a motorcycle on the road. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

HURCON exercise prepares Keesler for hurricane season

Airmen seek shelter inside an instructor bay at the weather complex for a tornado warning during a hurricane exercise April 24, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Throughout the exercise, “Hurricane Hana” brought severe thunderstorms, F2 tornado strength winds, rain and hail damage to several base facilities. The purpose of the exercise was to prepare Keesler for the upcoming hurricane season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler members honor W.W. II veterans

Staff Sgt. Tim Hite, 335th Training Squadron, gives thanks to Daniel Vliet, World War II veteran, for his service as Airmen Basic Lauren Lozano, 336th TRS, and Michael Volkmeier, 338th TRS, escort him at the fifth Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., April 23, 2013, at the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. The Honor Flight program honors our nation’s World War II veterans by sending them on a one-day visit to various monuments in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Drill down competition

Members of the 335th Training Squadron perform in the freestyle drill competition during the 81st Training Group drill down performance April 24, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The 335th TRS made a clean sweep in the competition winning first place in every category to include open ranks, regulation, freestyle and overall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence award base picnic

Master Sgt. Chris Henry, 81st Communications Squadron; Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Holmes, 338th Training Squadron; and Master Sgt. Jeffrey Moody, 81st Comptroller Squadron, along with other first sergeants grill hamburgers and hot dogs during the Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence award base picnic at the Marina park April 25, 2013, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The event consisted of free food and beverages, music, games and an awards presentation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)