VOLK FIELD, Wis.. -- Members of the 403rd Wing arriving here were greeted with their first official task of the deployment -- filling sandbags. Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Baldelli, NCOIC, 403rd Services Flight, got a little more than her share on the shovel filling six sandbags before she was able to hand it off to the next person. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Michael Duhe) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Reservists of the 815th Airlift Squadron took time before a May exercise at Volk Field, Wis. to catch up on their Mission Oriented Protective Posture familiarization. Donning aircrew ensembles, nearly 20 people processed through a Containment Air Processing System set up outside the squadron. The CAPS is a series of stations used in a chemical environment to minimize the possibility of contamination when Airmen exit a contaminated area and need to remove their MOPP gear. At each station an attendant assists and provides guidance on how to remove the gear. Lt. Col. Brian Freeman prepares to remove his chemical protective mask with help from Senior Airman Johnny Woodland, a loadmaster with the unit. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lindsay Boggan) Share

Airman Addison Brown, 403rd Maintanence Group, takes a swing at the ball during one of the intramural softball games. Brown is new to the unit "We all come down to the same level with the same goal in a sport environment,"says Raye Johnson, 403rd mission support flight and assistant coach. " The team builds morale and gives everybody a chance to get to meet people from other parts of the unit." (US Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Tabitha Spinks) Share

Maj. Ty Piercefield, a pilot with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, volunteered to serve as a "patient" during Self-Aid and Buddy Care class for people from the 403rd Wing. The major's "injury" was an open leg fracture which required students to apply a splint to immobilize the limb. Share

MOBILE, Ala. -- Brig. Gen. Rich Moss, commander, 403rd Wing, throws out the first pitch at the opening night baseball game for the minor league Mobile Bay Bears at Hank Aaron Stadium. The inaugural Air Force Reserve Night at the ballpark included a flyover by a C-130J-30 from the 815th Airlift Squadron known as the 'Flying Jennies' and the national anthem sang by Senior Airman Shanika Boswell of the Chaplain's office. The Mobile Bay Bears are the double-A minor league affiliate for the Arizona Diamondbacks The Bay Bears went on to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts by a score of 5 to 4. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Biloxi Mayor, A.J. Holloway, shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Rich Moss, commander, 403rd Wing after a two-day civic leader tour aboard the C-130J-30 aircraft named the "Spirit of Biloxi." The Civic Leader Tour is an annual event that showcases the many missions and capabilities of the Air Force Reserve. This was Holloway's first flight aboard the aircraft named for his city. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Biloxi Mayor, A.J. Holloway, straps in for his first flight aboard the "Spirit of Biloxi," a C-130J-30 cargo aircraft named for his city. The "Spirit of Biloxi" is flown by the Citizen Airmen of the 815th Airlift Squadron, known as the "Flying Jennies." The squadron flew 30 business and community leaders from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral, Fla. for the 403rd Wing's annual Civic Leader Tour. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Senior Airman Jana Robinson, readiness specialist with the 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, explains how an atropine injector works during a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical training class held during March UTA. Members of the 403rd Wing who took part in the training also inspected their gas masks and practiced donning and doffing the mask. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Duhe) Share

Lt. Col. Joe Chautin and Maj. Allyson Chauvin join forces in the role of inspector general for the Air Force Reserve 403 Wing. The inspector general office serves to resolve complaints, inspect and act as ombudsman for the wing. Share

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Students from local schools listen attentively to Capt. Kaitlyn Torbett, Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, describing how the Hurricane Hunters collect data in storms. The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Tour visited the Air Force Force Reserve WC-130J aircraft, toured active duty dorms, air traffic control simulator and watched a drill team performance. The annual tour gives local students who excel in school an opportunity to better understand the mission and impact of the Air Force. (Air Force Photo by Maj. Chad Gibson) Share

Col. Paul Waters, commander, 403rd Wing Maintenance Group, speaks to a large crowd of Reservists and guests at his retirement ceremony Feb. 2, 2007. Colonel Waters retires from military service with more than 38 years. Affectionately known as Colonel H20s, he received many fond farewells from officers and enlisted people throughout the 403rd Wing. In retirement, he plans to spend more time with his family. (Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett) Share

Standing in front of the “Victory Over America” palace that once belonged to Saddam Hussein is Col. Dennis Ployer, 447th Air Expeditionary Group commander, Sather Air Base, Iraq, and 911th Air Wing vice commander, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Penn.; and Col. Richard “Beef” Haddad, Coalition Air Force Transition Team U.S. senior advisor, New Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq, and 403rd vice commander, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. While in power, Saddam named his palaces after what he claimed were his victories. This palace is located near the international airport in Baghdad. (U.S. Air Force photo) Share