Purple Heart commander performs tough duty with tender heart

While many people were tearing through wrapping paper, sipping cocoa and basking in the glow of twinkling lights, Joseph "Snake" Balanovich was thousands of miles away from home being Santa for wounded soldiers at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.Mr. Balanovich is the commander of the Biloxi Military

Blood testing equipment upgraded

The 81st Medical Group Hospital laboratory boasts new equipment that improves its ability to respond to physician requests for blood tests. The new system, the cobas® 6000 analyzer series manufactured by Roche Diagnostics, was formally unveiled Dec. 20. The equipment analyzes blood samples for

Library, youth center launch 'One Page at a Time' program for Keesler's younger readers

Are you looking for a way to expand your child's mind, vocabulary and reading skills?McBride Library and the youth center have joined forces to present "One Page at a Time," a free motivational reading program for dependents of active-duty members, retirees, Defense Department civilians and

81st Contracting Squadron earns three command awards

The 81st Contracting Squadron received three command-level awards for fiscal year 2010.The squadron received one unit award from Air Education and Training Command for outstanding contracting squadron of the year and two individual awards.The two individual award winners are:Mr. George Budz, AETC

Drug war, disaster relief other reasons to fight

Where does your mind go when you think of being deployed to fight a war?Probably someplace in Iraq -- sandy, windswept and barren -- or to the rocky crags of Afghanistan. But what if deployment meant warm, lush green, coastal landscapes?This is Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, where Tech. Sgt. Carlos

Jeep-driving general