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  • BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Kenneth Scott, a retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt., repeats his vows to wife, Nancy, during a vow renewal ceremony here Oct. 2. Kenneth and Nancy drove from Florida to Barksdale to celebrate their wedding anniversary at the very same chapel they were married in 51 years ago. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft) (RELEASED)

    After half a century, 'I do' again

    More than half a century ago, an Air Force couple exchanged marital vows in a small ceremony at a small chapel. The young bride wore a small, white veil and the groom wore an eager smile. The deal was sealed with a kiss and their new life began August 29, 1959.Fifty-one years later, Kenneth and Nancy Scott traveled from Florida to Barksdale, the

  • Drinking and driving don't mix

    Senior Airman Smith just received his line number to sew on staff sergeant. Excited about his promotion news, he decided to go to a local bar with his friends to celebrate. A few drinks and a few hours later, his plans for a ride home fell through. His harmless celebration left him intoxicated. Instead of pursuing other safe ways to get home,
  • Retired Maj. Gen. William E. Eubank Jr. is welcomed after he delivered the first Boeing B-52 Stratofortress to join a Strategic Air Command unit on June 27, 1955. General Eubank was known as Mr. B-52 because of his involvement with the aircraft from its beginning, (courtesy photo)

    In memory of Mr. B-52

    Locals in the Barksdale community regularly see B-52 Stratofortresses soaring overhead, but behind every aircraft lies an even greater story of a true American hero who brought them here and now he has passed on.Retired Maj. Gen. William E. Eubank Jr.'s military career began Feb. 21, 1936, as he entered the aviation cadet program. After earning his
  • BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Charles Baker, Barksdale Officers' Club bartender, prepares a drink for a customer Aug. 27. Charles has been a part of Barksdale for more than 60 years and has met hundreds of foreign and domestic pilots and service members. Charles is famous for his long history here and his keen memory of an Airman's favorite drink. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft) (RELEASED)

    Serving up good conversations for 60 years

    Tucked into the back of the Barksdale Club is a little bar that opens a few nights a week. An Airman will notice a placard that reads, "Charles Baker's Bar" and a tall, older gentleman, slipping into a vest covered with military pins and a few general stars. Charles W. Baker, 79, was a part of Barksdale for more than 60 years and saw several
  • BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Calvin Adkins, Fox Run golf course maintenance crew member, uses a specialized mower called a verticutter to remove thatch from one of the greens Aug. 25. Thatch is a layer of material that builds up between the grass and the soil and if not removed can prevent moisture and nutrients from reaching the roots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chad Warren)(RELEASED)

    Keeping it green

    In the pre-dawn darkness, hours before the hordes of Airmen arrive for their morning workouts, one small team is already hard at work ensuring the base golf course is ready for the day's patrons. William Duckworth, Fox Run golf course superintendent, leads the maintenance team that keeps the golf course in pristine condition year round. The extreme
  • BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Capt. Eric Schmidt (front), a B-52 pilot with the 96th Bomb Squadron, poses with several other Airmen from his squadron July 23. Captain Schmidt is undergoing chemotherapy for stomach cancer, and several fellow Airmen shaved their heads to show their support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chad Warren) (RELEASED)

    Strength in numbers: Air Force family cares for its own

    After three years of marriage and their first child on the way, nothing could have prepared the Schmidt family for the news they were about to receive.Over the course of a few weeks Captain Eric Schmidt, B-52 aircraft commander and 96th Bomb Squadron B-Flight commander, found himself having trouble keeping food down, constantly feeling fatigued and
  • BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Durham, 96th Bomb Squadron, inspects the brakes and landing gear on a B-52H Stratofortress. Sergeant Durham is a dedicated crew chief and his job is to help ensure combat capability for Barksdale's fleet of B-52's. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Megan M. Kittler) (RELEASED)

    Crew chiefs keep jets flying

    With tools in hand and grease under their fingernails, Senior Airman Bradly Bowen and Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Durham step out into the early morning, hazy sunlight and head toward their "office." With the temperature steadily rising into the 90's and the humidity causing beads of sweat to pour down their faces, these two dedicated crew chiefs
  • BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Lieutenant Welch's father, retired Lt. Col. Don Welch (bottom right), poses with the crew of his B-52D in 1985. First Lt. Daniel Welch has some big shoes to fill; four of them to be exact. Lieutenant Welch, a pilot with the 11th Bomb Squadron, will become the third consecutive generation of B-52 flight officers in his family. (courtesy photo)

    Barksdale pilot continues family tradition

    First Lt. Daniel Welch has some big shoes to fill; four of them to be exact. Lieutenant Welch, a pilot with the 11th Bomb Squadron, will become the third consecutive generation of B-52 flight officers in his family. He knew from an early age that flying was in his blood."I decided I wanted to fly when I was pretty young, around 5 years old,"
  • BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Kasey Schluter, Barksdale lifeguard, watches over swimmers at Barksdale's North Pool. Ms. Schluter, along with her fellow lifeguard, Jacbo Navarro, saved the life of a young boy who almost drowned May 28. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joanna Kresge) (RELEASED)

    Barksdale lifeguards save life of young boy

    "It was my first day on the job--No one thinks something like this would happen. All I saw was him sinking." This is how Kasey Schluter recalls the day she and her fellow lifeguard, Jacob Navarro, saved the life of a 7-year-old boy at Barksdale's North Pool summer kick-off bash May 28. "We noticed a little boy swimming under the water and we were
  • CALIMESA, Calif. – Mr. Delmar Chase, father of Air Force Global Strike Command Inspector General Brig. Gen. Sandra Finan, crafts brigadier general’s stars at his home. Mr. Chase, a retired dental technician, has handmade an insignia for each rank for the general since she was a major. (Photo courtesy of the Chase family)

    ‘Making rank’ has special significance for Global Strike general

    When Brig. Gen. Sandra Finan held her promotion ceremony here June 15, it gave new meaning to the expression "making rank."General Finan's rank was made by her father, who crafted her metal general's stars at his home worktable. In fact, he's made one of every rank insignia for her since she made major."Knowing that Dad made the rank, it's always
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