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  • Staff Sgt. Louie Bennett, 2nd Maintenance Squadron accessories flight aircrew egress technician, inspects an ejection seat upper harness attachment cable for abrasions and cuts on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 26. The cable is used to pull aircrew members back into their seats as they eject from an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)

    No margin for error

    The life of every Airman is vital to the mission, which makes protecting those lives a priority.Airmen from the 2nd Maintenance Squadron accessories flight aircrew egress are entrusted with ensuring aircrew are able to eject from an aircraft if the need arises."My job is to maintain B-52 ejection seats and hatches," said Staff Sgt. Louie Bennett, 2
  • Aircrew from the 20th Bomb Squadron prepare to board a B-52H Stratofortress on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 28. Though the need for a 24-hour alert aircrew is not often necessary, aircrews still train and practice alert procedures and quick departures. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

    Aircrews, ready to roll

    The B-52H Stratofortress is known for its longevity, reliability, global reach and wide array of weaponry. However, without aircrew ready for battle, the B-52 would just be an expensive static display.Though the need for having a scheduled 24-hour alert aircrew is not often necessary, aircrews still train and prepare for alert conditions."When
  • Staff Sgt. Steven Romel, 2nd Medical Support Squadron hematology NCO in charge, inspects and prepares blood samples for testing on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 19. The integrated chemistry machine tests the blood's content for the proper chemicals and blood cell count. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)

    To the lab!

    Thousands of Airmen, dependents and retirees visit the base clinic every day. Most only see the waiting room or the patient's room, however more work goes on in the laboratory long after a patient has left. The 2nd Medical Support Squadron laboratory draws blood, obtains urine samples or throat swabs when requested by a doctor. These samples can
  • Staff Sgt. Jason Greenwell, 372nd Training Squadron Field Training Detachment, poses with mentee, 13-year-old La'Torri Simmons. Greenwell has volunteered as Simmons' mentor for the past four years as part of the Lighthouse after-school program. (Courtesy Photo)

    Mentors make a difference one child at a time

    One Barksdale Airman is making a difference in a young man's life by participating in a mentorship program.Since being stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Staff Sgt. Jason Greenwell, 372nd Training Squadron Field Training Detachment electronic warfare systems instructor has worked with 13-year-old La'Torri Simmons for about four
  • Head lifeguard Kari Anne Griffin observes swimmers at the North Pool on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 11. Base lifeguards are mostly students who dedicate their summer helping ensure the safety of Team Barksdale members and their families who visit the pools on base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)

    Saving lives, Barksdale lifeguards

    As it gets hotter, members of Team Barksdale often visit the base pools to cool off and relax.Even though swimming and playing in the water can be fun, it can also be dangerous and it's up to the lifeguards to safeguard those who are out there to have a good time."My job is to make sure everybody is safe," said Kasey Schluter, head lifeguard and
  • Airman 1st Class Christina Blanco, 2nd Medical Support Squadron radiology technician, adjusts the settings on an X-ray machine on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 11. The machine emits X-radiation to capture an image of the internal structures of the human body to provide doctors a way to see inside the body to locate possible injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)

    The uncanny X-ray Airmen

    Peering into the human body might sound like a super power out of a comic book, but to these Airmen it's a part of their everyday job. These Airmen blast X-radiation, more commonly known as X-rays, into the human body through the use of specialized machines to see the deepest parts of the body and provide medical imaging to doctors."We receive
  • Staff Sgt. Nathan Day and Senior Airman Ricky Ball, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration technicians, review schematics for one of the recently installed chillers on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 7. New heating and cooling units are routinely brought in when needed and installed to maintain Barksdale?s aging heating and cooling systems. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua)(RELEASED)

    HVAC/R keeps Barksdale cool

    With the arrival of summer and the intense Louisiana heat, Barksdale Airmen fight to keep cool. An air conditioned building is one comfort Airmen enjoy, but when it breaks down, who is there to fix it?The HVAC/R flight conducts repairs and regular check-ups on the base's ventilation and air conditioning systems and employs 33 professional mechanics
  • Song Su McNeese, 2nd Force Support Squadron, places fruit on the serving line in the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 6. Keeping a variety of fruit on the line gives patrons the option to add healthy side items to their meals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Warren)(RELEASED)

    Eating for life

    As the Air Force continues to downsize, each Airman becomes more vital to the mission which means it's more important now than ever to ensure Airmen are focused on their total well-being. One aspect of well-being that is sometimes overlooked is maintaining a healthy diet."Diet plays a bigger role than most people think," said Leah Beckham, Health
  • Tony Cyr, left, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron Programming Flight chief, Lorenzer Brown, 2nd Bomb Wing Anti-Terrorism Force Protection, and Nathan Tracer, 2 CES Programming Flight architect, discuss base infrastructure security concerns on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., June 7. By looking over the drawing plans of the base infrastructure with the subject matter experts, the group is able to address concerns that do not meet Air Force standards. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier)(RELEASED)

    2 CES engineers and architect keeps Barksdale on top

    With more than 140 base renovation, construction and demolition projects this fiscal year alone, the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron Programming Flight is hard at work taking Airmen's ideas for base improvement and making them a reality.With the recent addition of the Air Force Global Strike Command, certain changes in infrastructure have become

  • Selfless Airmen showing P.R.I.D.E.

    "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention," said Oscar Wilde, Irish writer and poet.Every year, 62 million Americans volunteer countless hours at their local schools, hospices, animal and homeless shelters, and community centers. Airmen also contribute their time in their local communities."The men and women of
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