Military Working Dog Blek

Military working dog Blek, seen here with 42nd Security Forces Squadron kennel master Tech. Sgt. Ryan Veith, suffered permanent hearing loss as a result of the IED detonation. The 7-year-old dog German Sheppard will be retired.

POW/MIA luncheon, wreath laying commemorates sacrifices of American servicemembers

Retired Master Sgt. Roy McGinnis, a former prisoner of war, and Col. Brian Killough, 42nd Air Base Wing commander, place a wreath at the MIA-POW monument at Maxwell’s Air Park last week. (Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

Golden Knights recognize local heroes

Michael Whaley, battalion commander for the City of Prattville’s fire department, looks on as aircraft practice on the flight line at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., after his flight aboard the U.S. Army Golden Knights aircraft. Mr. Whaley was selected as a “Hometown Hero” for his ongoing accomplishments as a leader among his fellow firefighters and his timely and selfless response with his department, following a tornado that destroyed his home in 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott Knuteson)

Golden Knights recognize local heroes

Rob Mitchell speaks to a U.S. Army Golden Knight aboard the Golden Knights’ aircraft immediately prior to a practice jump for Maxwell Air Force Base’s 2010 air show. Mr. Mitchell was selected as a “Hometown Hero” for his actions involving the rescue of an occupant from a burning house. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott Knuteson)

Fighter classics

An F-4 Phantom and a P-51 Mustang fly across the airfield as part of a fighter heritage flight at the Thunder Over Alabama air show March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Air Force Base air show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Cargo throughout the years

A C-17 Globemaster III, C-47 Skytrain, and C-7 Caribou fly across the airfield as part of a cargo heritage flight at the Thunder Over Alabama air show March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Air Force Base air show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Tarheel Hal performs

A P-47 Thunderbolt performs at the Thunder Over Alabama air show March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Air Force Base air show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Express Delivery

A C-130 Hercules drops several loads of cargo on the airfield at the Thunder Over Alabama air show March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Air Force Base air show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

The Wright Stuff

A flying replica of the Wright Flyer sits on display at the Thunder Over Alabama air show March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Air Force Base air show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Panchito flies over Maxwell

Panchito, a B-25 Mitchell, flies over the airfield at the Thunder Over Alabama air show March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Air Force Base air show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Ready, Aim, Fire!

A soldier and several air show visitors participate in the Virtual Army Experience at the Thunder Over Alabama air show March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. air show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Thank you

The U.S. Army Golden Knights hand a flag to the mother of a deployed Airman from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. during the Thunder Over Alabama air show here March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Open House and Air Show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Checking out a C-130

Spectators walk through a C-130 at the Thunder Over Alabama air show at Maxwell Air Force Base on March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Open House and Air Show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jamie Pitcher)

Walking the Flight Line

Three Airmen from the 42nd Security Forces Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. patrol the flightline before the gates open at the Thunder Over Alabama air show here March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Open House and Air Show is celebrating 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jamie Pitcher)

Thunder Over Alabama begins at Maxwell

Tech. Sgt. Darrell Ellis of the Gunter NCO Academy demonstrates how to climb the climbing wall at Thunder Over Alabama, the air show at Maxwell Air Force Base on March 27, 2010. The Maxwell Open House and Air Show celebrates 100 years of flight over Alabama. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jamie Pitcher)

Teacher flies as 'Hometown Hero' with Thunderbirds

Dr. Michael Gross, an Auburn University Montgomery assistant professor, receives a quick briefing on F-16 operations from Lt. Col. Derek Routt, Thunderbird 7 and the aerial demonstration squadron's operations officer. Dr. Gross was selected by the Thunderbirds as a Montgomery Hometown Hero and offered a flight with the team March 25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Richard Rose)

The Thunderbirds are Coming

The Maxwell Air Force Base Open House is March 27-28 and will feature the US Air Force Thunderbirds. Foer more information about the air show and open house visit http://airshow.maxwell.af.mil/.

Retiree Appreciation Day brings food, fun to those who served

A veteran of three wars, retired Master Sgt. Charles W. Snodgrass of Selma plays bingo alongside his wife at the base's Retiree Appreciation Day Friday. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bud Hancock)

The hotter the better!

After winning the Air War College Chili Cook Off, student Lt. Col. Brad Felling went for the Montgomery area, entering the Montgomery Lions Club Red Hot Capitol City Chili Cook Off Oct. 31. Representing Air University, Colonel Felling’s team was the only military entry of 25 teams that competed to raise money for local charities. While not placing in the competition, Colonel Felling saw 15 gallons of his red-hot chili consumed in the event held at Montgomery’s River Region Stadium. Shown from left are Lt. Col. Jim Rodriguez; 42nd Security Forces Squadron Patrolmen Senior Airman Justin Katusack, Senior Airman John Davis, and Senior Airman Joshua Allen; Lt. Col. Kris O’Brien, Colonel Felling and his wife Gina. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

The hotter the better!

After winning the Air War College Chili Cook Off, student Lt. Col. Brad Felling went for the Montgomery area, entering the Montgomery Lions Club Red Hot Capitol City Chili Cook Off Oct. 31. Representing Air University, Colonel Felling’s team was the only military entry of 25 teams that competed to raise money for local charities. While not placing in the competition, Colonel Felling saw 15 gallons of his red-hot chili consumed in the event held at Montgomery’s River Region Stadium. Shown from left are Lt. Col. Jim Rodriguez; 42nd Security Forces Squadron Patrolmen Senior Airman Justin Katusack, Senior Airman John Davis, and Senior Airman Joshua Allen; Lt. Col. Kris O’Brien, Colonel Felling and his wife Gina. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bennett Rock)

Enlisted Heritage Research Institute receives donation

Enlisted Heritage Research Institute director, Chief Master Sgt. Rick Fanning (right) explains to Walter Dzialo, president of the Montgomery Chapter of the National Defense Transportation Association, what the $500 NDTA donation to EHRI will be used for. Chief Fanning said the money, raised during the NDTA's annual golf tournament, will go to help complete the walkway that leads to the Enlisted Heritage Hall museum's two outdoor exhibits. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Curry)

Adviser for Iraq optimistic on transition

Bill Grant, special adviser for Iraq at the Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, spoke Tuesday at the Spaatz Center’s Air War College. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roger Curry)

Ballet on the Green

Dana Lanz-Ross dips ballerina Molly Wagner during “Ballet on the Green” Oct. 2 at Maxwell’s Air Park. The dancers are part of the Montgomery Ballet Company, which gave its first performance at Maxwell at the event sponsored by the base as part of the “Year of the Air Force Family” and to welcome new students and their families to Air University. The performance was preceded by “Dinner on the Green” catered by the Maxwell Officers’ Club. (U.S. Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)

Ceremony honors POW-MIA sacrifice

From left, 42nd Force Support Squadron Superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Sheila Knox, 42nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Kris Beasley and retired Col. Roland Parks place a wreath in front of the POW/MIA monument at Maxwell’s Air Park Sept. 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/Melanie Rodgers Cox)