Spiritual wellness commentary

Chaplain (Capt.) Dwayne Jones

Welcoming heroes home

Lea Belle, left, hands Tyler Booth a turtle balloon she made for him as his mother, Tech. Sgt. Andi Booth, watches during the Heroes Welcoming Heroes event March 8 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The base and local organizations host this party for military people who return from deployments. The next event is planned for 6-8 p.m. July 11 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Spencer P. Lane)

Ash borer insect endangers billions of trees

An ash alert sign attached to a green ash tree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio highlights hazards of transporting firewood and dangers posed by the emerald ash borer. Employees across the base assisted the 88th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Division in marking trees as part of a statewide effort to raise awareness during Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week May 20-26. The Buckeye state is home to 5 billion ash trees. About 10 percent of the state's entire tree population are threatened by the exotic insect. (Michael Schumacher/U.S. Air Force)

Base joins Emerald Ash Borer awareness effort

Jackie Knueve and Giles Poole of the Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate apply ash alert signs to a green ash tree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Employees across the base assisted the 88th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Division in marking trees as part of a statewide effort to raise awareness during Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week May 20-26. The Buckeye state is home to 5 billion ash trees threatened by the exotic insect. (Michael Schumacher/U.S. Air Force)

Base "Angels" honored for service to community

Life Scout Andrew LaRochelle was one of nine individual and one group Angel Award recipients honored at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base April 17 for their volunteer efforts. Presenting the Angel Award is Col. Albert Zelenak, 88th Mission Support Group commander. LaRochelle raised over $5,000 and organized 40 volunteers for a Build-a-Bear project for children of deploying base servicemembers. (U.S. Air Force/Tom Lewis).

Air Force supports Cincinnati Reds' opening day

A total of 85 members from Wright-Patterson AFB hold the American flag during the singing of the national anthem April 2 at the Cincinnati Reds-Chicago Cubs opening day baseball game. The capacity crowd gave Team Wright-Patt a loud and long ovation when they were introduced. Four F-16 jets from the 178th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard in Springfield, Ohio performed a flyover during pre-game festivities. (U.S. Air Force/Kristie Blakley)

Airman saving lives in Iraq

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Master Sgt. Michelle Bloxson prepares a hypodermic needle to draw antibiotics for an incoming trauma patient in the Air Force theater hospital emergency room here. Sgt. Bloxson is the noncommissioned officer in charge of the pharmacy flight with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group. She is deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)

EIC rifle competition

Brass ejects from the rifle of Lt. Col. Doug Spaeth with the 88th Aeromedical Squadron as he shoots from the standing possition. Air Force photo by Spencer P. Lane

What time is it?

Col. Colleen Ryan, 88th Air Base Wing commander, asks fans, “What time is it?” — a traditional question for the pre-game show. The fans respond with, “It’s Jackets time!” In addition to ice time, Col. Ryan was interviewed by Columbus Blue Jackets TV and radio, toured the arena and was given a commemorative jersey with the No. 88 on the back. The NHL game at Nationwide Arena honored the Air Force's 60th Anniversary and was broadcast via satellite by Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. (Air Force photo/Spencer P. Lane)

NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets honor Air Force

The Wright-Patterson AFB Honor Guard presents the colors during the national anthem Jan. 26 as the Columbus Blue Jackets prepare to play the Buffalo Sabres in a National Hockey League game celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Air Force. From left Airman 1st Class Christine Prince, Senior Airmen Kellen Brown, Kyle Velasquez and Airman 1st Class Josh Rican. (Air Force photo/Spencer P. Lane)

Daddy will miss you

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO -- Capt. Kelly Shields with the 445th Civil Engineer Squadron talks with his daughter, Sophie, in Bldg. 142, Area C, Tuesday prior to deployment. Capt. Shields was seen off Jan. 9 by his wife, Jill, his mother, Pat, and sister, Geri. (Air Force Photo by Spencer P. Lane)

Family Time

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO -- Maj. Brady Johnson with the 445th Civil Engineer Squadron plays with his daughters, Sarah, center, and Laura, as his wife, Maj. Susanne Johnson, watches Tuesday in Bldg. 142, Area C. Family members were able to spend time with the troops before their flight Jan 9. More than 40 members from the 88th Medical Group and the 445th Airlift Wing boarded a DOD-chartered flight at Wright-Patterson AFB to Norfolk Naval Air Station, Va., en route to locations in Iraq. (Air Force Photo by Spencer P. Lane)

Services membership yields delicious discounts

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO -- Saw Tun, Wright-Patterson Club senior cook, prepares a baked salmon for a recent base event. Air Force Services Membership First Plus Card members receive discounts at a wide variety of Services facilities. (Air Force photo by Lindsay Thomas)

Dental technician becomes U.S. citizen

DAYTON, Ohio -- Airman 1st Class Mohammed Al Janabi swears in as a U.S. citizen during a ceremony held in the federal courthouse here Sept. 16. He was born in Iraq and is a dental technician with the 74th Dental Squadron at nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Al Eakle)