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)

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)

Airman's Oak plaque

Chief Master Sgt. Angie Johnson, 81st Training Wing command chief, and Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, 81st TRW commander, insert an “Airman’s Oak” plaque in front of the live oak tree located on the corner of Meadows and First Street during a dedication ceremony April 23, 2013, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The live oak is one of the largest and oldest on base. In 1941, the road was constructed around the tree so that it would not have to be removed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

CDC kids tour aircraft

Five-year-old Morgan Meoak, daughter of Jamie and Staff Sgt. Christopher Meoak, 338th Training Squadron, looks out the rear door of a C-130J aircraft during a tour April 18, 2013, on the flightline at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Classmates of Morgan from the child development center also toured the aircraft to learn about things that fly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Cain retires after 30 years

Staff Sgt. Steven Gladney Jr. and Tech. Sgt. Amber Davis, Keesler honor guard members, conduct a flag folding ceremony during the retirement ceremony of Col. Andrew Cain, 2nd Air Force vice commander, April 19, 2013, at the Bay Breeze Event Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Cain retired with 30 years of military service and Maj. Gen. Len Patrick, 2nd Air Force commander, was the presiding officer for the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Unusual name attracts attention

Staff Sgt. Larry Furlough III, 334th Training Squadron airfield management instructor, reviews study guides for his students during class April 19, 2013, at Cody Hall, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Across the Air Force, about 10 people share the same unusual surname, including his brother, Tech. Sgt. Anthony Furlough, and his sister-in-law, Capt. Jasmin Furlough, both assigned to the 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Child Pride Day 2013

Families engage in push-up and pull-up challenges at the Marine Corps detachment booth during Child Pride Day April 20, 2013, at Marina Park, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Child Pride Day is an annual event held to celebrate military children and their families. Booths, jumpers, activities, entertainment and food were set up throughout the park. (Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Child Pride Day 2013

Two-year-old Chloe Kesler, daughter of Seun and Master Sgt. Robert Kesler, 81st Training Support Squadron, enjoys the swings with her mother at the Marina Park during Child Pride Day April 20, 2013, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Child Pride Day is an annual event held to celebrate military children and their families. Booths, jumpers, activities, entertainment and food were set up throughout the park. (Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Child Pride Day 2013

Five-year-old Emmanuel Palmer, son of Andrea and Ryan Palmer, gets his face painted by Airman Samyra Jenkins at the arts and crafts center painting tables during Child Pride Day April 20, 2013, at Marina Park, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Child Pride Day is an annual event held to celebrate military children and their families. Booths, jumpers, activities, entertainment and food were set up throughout the park. (Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Child Pride Day 2013

Families line-up and join in the parade that kicked off Child Pride Day April 20, 2013, at Marina Park, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Child Pride Day is an annual event held to celebrate military children and their families. Booths, jumpers, activities, entertainment and food were set up throughout the park. (Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)