Rags to Riches in the American Heartland

First Lt. Heather Greatting instructs Zoey, her 9-year-old Labrador retriever, to jump over a hurdle Feb. 11 during agillity training. The lieutenant obtained Zoey from a Labrador rescue center and currently competes with her in canine agility. Lieutenant Greatting is a space intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance systems employment analyst with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Strang)

Rags to Riches in the American Heartland

First Lt. Heather Greatting follows Zoey, her 9-year-old Labrador retriever, over an obstacle Feb. 11 during agillity training. The lieutenant obtained Zoey from a Labrador rescue center and currently competes with her in canine agility. Lieutenant Greatting is a space intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance systems employment analyst with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Strang)

QALAT, Afghanistan

A graduate of the basic nursing program here hurries to the front of the room to accept his certificate of completion Feb. 5 as three dignitaries from Zabul Province look on. The graduation ceremony was attended by (left to right) Director of Public Health Dr. Nazir Ahmadzai, Director of Education Mr. Abdul Nabi Wadan and Director of Ibn Sina Medical Dr. Fazul Rahman. The 12-month training program—facilitated by the joint Air Force and Army Provincial Reconstruction Team—teaches students the basics of nursing: taking vital signs, assessing overall health, initial patient screening, medical terminology and an overview of medications. The course is taught by a local Afghan employed by the PRT. (Air Force photo by Capt. Bob Everdeen)

QALAT, Afghanistan

Ahmadullah (left), a graduate of the basic nursing program here accepts his certificate of completion Feb. 5 from Director of Ibn Sina Medical Dr. Fazul Rahman. The 12-month training program—facilitated by the joint Air Force and Army Provincial Reconstruction Team—teaches students the basics of nursing: taking vital signs, assessing overall health, initial patient screening, medical terminology and an overview of medications. The course is taught by a local Afghan employed by the PRT. (Air Force photo by Capt. Bob Everdeen)

Abused Afghan woman to receive plastic surgery

QALAT, Afghanistan – Nazia Hookum Darr, 16, was brutally attacked here by her 40-year-old husband of three months on Christmas day. The man—who is still on the run from police—broke 16 of his wife’s teeth, shaved her head, cut off her nose and ears and poured scalding water on her hands and feet. The young woman is set to receive plastic surgery in Kabul following close coordination between the Afghan government and Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat, a joint U.S. Air Force and Army unit stationed here. (Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Michael Gauron)

AFMC Command Chief to retire

Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan Hake, command chief for Air Force Materiel Command, takes part in a question and answer session with enlisted personnel during a January visit to Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The chief retires during a Feb. 1 ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (Air Force photo by Sue Sapp)

Speed and accuracy

Canton sixth graders Drake Danner and Austin Blackerby quickly reposition their robot to perform a pre-programmed mission during a timed event at the FIRST LEGO League Ohio State Robotics Championship. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Educational Outreach Office co-sponsored the annual event which brought together 48 teams of students and mentors from across the state to demonstrate their problem solving skills and knowledge of environmental issues. The competition was held Jan. 12-13 at Wright State University. (U.S. Air Force photo/Derek Kaufman)

Ohio teams compete at FIRST LEGO League State Championship

LEGO Lab Rats team members Justin Mullaney, of McNicholas High School, and C.J. Howitt of St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, review their robot's success performing various tasks with referee Dave Parker during the FIRST LEGO League Ohio State Robotics Championship. The 2008 event, co-sponsored by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Educational Outreach Office, brought together 48 teams of students and mentors from across the state to demonstrate their knowledge of environmental issues. The competition was held Jan. 12-13 at Wright State University. Parker works in the Air Force Materiel Command Information Assurance Office at Wright-Patt. (U.S. Air Force photo/Derek Kaufman)

QALAT, Afghanistan

Students of a basic Emergency Medical Technician training course here listen to their instructor during a graduation ceremony Jan. 8. The three-month EMT course—which is facilitated by Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat—is similar to a basic first aid class or the military’s self-aid and buddy care training. (Air Force photo by Capt. Bob Everdeen)

QALAT, Afghanistan

Basir Ahmed graduates from Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat’s basic Emergency Medical Technician training course here Jan. 8. The three-month course is similar to a basic first aid class or the military’s self-aid and buddy care training. (Air Force photo by Capt. Bob Everdeen)

Enlisted Call

Members of the audience listen intently to Gen. Carlson's words during the Enlisted Call at the base theater Dec. 10. (Skywrighter photo by Christy Webb)

Enlisted Call

Enlisted servicemembers consider thoughfully the weight of Gen. Bruce Carlson's words to them at Monday's enlisted call at the base theater in Kittyhawk Center. (Skywrighter photo by Christy Webb)