Amplifying signals, increasing morale

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Cory Baker of the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron stabilizes an antenna using self-taping screws to ensure strength and to prevent movement. Part of AFN's mission here is to increase morale and situational awareness via the commander’s access channel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman)

Wing command post gathers, disseminates critical information

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Harold Pruitt, air terminal operations center information controller, uses a radio in the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Command Post to communicate with aircraft cargo loaders Dec. 7, 2009. The 332nd AEW Airmen operate the only wing command post in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman)

Adding some realism

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Erin Connolly, 332nd Aerospace Medical Squadron bioenvironmental engineer, applies moulage to Sgt. 1st Class Charles Hare, 90th Sustainment Brigade member, prior to a mass casualty exercise Dec 8, 2009. Twenty servicemembers volunteered to simulate being victims to help make the exercise more realistic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Photo essay: 'Amazing' racers compete for charity

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Servicemembers prepare to compete in their first challenge during the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas Amazing Race competition Dec. 5, 2009. Clues at each station led teams to the next destination or directed them to perform a task, either as a team or by a single member. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman)

Chief master sergeant of the Air Force visits Joint Base Balad

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy signs the warrior wall at the Air Force Theater Hospital Dec. 4, 2009. During his first visit to Joint Base Balad as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Chief Roy toured various locations on the base and mentored Airmen during an Airman's call. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Chief master sergeant of the Air Force visits Joint Base Balad

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy shakes hands with Col. Mark Koeniger, commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Group, after touring Hero's Highway at the Air Force Theater Hospital Dec. 4, 2009. During his first visit to Joint Base Balad as the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Chief Roy toured various locations on the base and mentored Airmen during an Airman's call. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Photo essay: observing fire behavior

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Cody Simpson and Senior Airman Bobby Atteberry, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, finish extinguishing a controlled fire during live-fire training Nov. 30, 2009. The training scenario gave Air Force and Army firefighters the opportunity to practice extinguishing a live fire and observe fire behavior. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Photo essay: observing fire behavior

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- U.S. Army Spc. Nicholas Eason, 63rd Ordnance Company firefighter, feeds out the hose line to other firefighters during live-fire training Nov. 30, 2009. The training scenario gave Air Force and Army firefighters the opportunity to practice extinguishing a live fire and observe fire behavior. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Photo essay: observing fire behavior

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters prepare their equipment for a live-fire exercise Nov. 30, 2009. The exercise gave firefighters from both branches the opportunity to practice extinguishing a live fire and observe fire behavior. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Photo essay: observing fire behavior

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Nick Seghers, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, dons his self-contained breathing apparatus prior to a live-fire exercise Nov. 30, 2009. Along with the SCBA, firefighters also wear a proximity suit and gloves to add another layer of protection. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Photo essay: Better get your library card

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Peter Herrick, 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron combat literary dispenser, shakes hands with Master Sgt. Janice Taylor, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing director of equal opportunity, Nov. 21, 2009. Two Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters in Ohio, Covington and Piqua, donated 1,100 books to JBB, enhancing the reading selection at the H-6 library. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Heather M. Norris)

Photo essay: Better get your library card

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Master Sgt. Janice Taylor, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing director of equal opportunity, sorts through books at the H-6 library Nov. 21, 2009. Two Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters in Ohio, Covington and Piqua, donated 1,100 books to JBB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Heather M. Norris)

Photo essay: Better get your library card

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Senior Airman Peter Herrick, 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron combat literary dispenser, spots a truck carrying books as it backs toward the H-6 library Nov. 21, 2009. Two Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters in Ohio, Covington and Piqua, donated 1,100 books to JBB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Heather M. Norris)

Hello, Mr. President

CAMP STRYKER, Iraq -- Senior Airman Jon C. Gally of the 732nd Security Forces Squadron speaks to President Barack Obama on the phone in his office Nov. 26, 2009. The president called two military members from each of the five branches to wish them a happy Thanksgiving and thank them for their service. Airman Gally, a recent Purple Heart recipient, was nominated for the unique opportunity by his unit leadership, who described him as "the epitome of today's Airman." (Courtesy photo)

Convoy 911: Joint unit extends battlespace communication

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Servicemembers of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron joint airborne battle staff detachment prepare for a mission on a C-130 Hercules Nov. 24, 2009. The JABS is a joint operation focused on providing airborne communications support to ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Force protection Airmen: Another layer of armor in base defense

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Laquisha Ray, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection escort, checks identification credentials for local nationals at the gravel yard Nov. 19, 2009. Airman Ray assigns badges to local nationals working on JBB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Force protection Airmen: Another layer of armor in base defense

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer force protection escorts prepare to conduct a sweep for contraband items left by local nationals at the gravel yard Nov. 19, 2009. Airmen deployed as FP escorts protect resources while providing safety and security on JBB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Force protection Airmen: Another layer of armor in base defense

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Kurtis Yeisley, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron third country national escort, watches local nationals work in the gravel yard Nov. 19, 2009. Airmen deployed as TCN escorts protect resources while providing safety and security on JBB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

True Colors: Airman's flag becomes third-generation wartime family heirloom

Staff Sgt. Heriberto Gonzalez, a force protection escort for the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, now owns an American flag that has been flown by three of his family generations during wartime. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Grovert Fuentes-Contreras)

Thanksgiving: It’s all in the prep work

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Rosemarie Tamba, 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron quality assurance evaluator, supervises a contractor as he tosses broccoli in preparation for Thanksgiving Day meals Nov. 24, 2009. Airman Tamba is responsible for ensuring sanitation and quality standards for food preparation are maintained. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Five branches, one flag

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Honor guardsmen practice the “take arms” maneuver during rifle drills at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 13, 2009. The practice consisted of reveille, retreat, firing party and flag folding drills. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Five branches, one flag

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Jessica Dumas, honor guardsman, rehearses bugler’s duties during an honor guard practice at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 13, 2009. The bugler plays a pivotal role in memorial and funeral services. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Five branches, one flag

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Valerie Vasquez, honor guardsman, prepares to call commands while presenting the colors during a practice honor guard detail at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 13, 2009. Several skills learned through participating in honor guard help reinforce professional standards and enhance leadership capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Five branches, one flag

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Alejandro Pedraza, honor guardsman, lowers the flag during a practice retreat at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 13, 2009. Retreat ceremonies signify the end of the duty day, and pay tribute to the American flag. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)