Air Force Academy cadets take to the skies in Homestead’s F-16s

Lt. Col. Adam Meyers (left), 93rd FS F-16 pilot, gives pre-flight instructions to Air Force Academy Cadet Patrick Lobo before takeoff for Lobo's F-16 orientation flight at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Dec. 21. Six Air Force Academy cadets, during their winter break, participated in orientation flights, flying in the backseat of an F-16 with pilots from the 93rd Fighter Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Dec. 17 through 21. Academy cadets are authorized an opportunity to ride on certain aircraft, Air Force wide, during a regularly scheduled training mission as a way of familiarizing them with the occupational Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jaimi Upthegrove)

Air Force Academy cadets take to the skies in Homestead’s F-16s

Air Force Academy Cadet Patrick Lobo (left) squeezes in the cockpit of on an F-16 as Lt. Col. Adam Meyers, 93rd FS F-16 pilot, gives pre-flight instructions before takeoff for Lobo's F-16 orientation flight at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Dec. 21. Six Air Force Academy cadets, during their winter break, participated in orientation flights, flying in the backseat of an F-16 with pilots from the 93rd Fighter Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Dec. 17 through 21. Academy cadets are authorized an opportunity to ride on certain aircraft, Air Force wide, during a regularly scheduled training mission as a way of familiarizing them with the occupational Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jaimi Upthegrove)

Airmen Appreciation Day, Jan. 12, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The 482nd Fighter Wing Commander presents an Airmen Appreciation Day, Saturday, Jan. 12, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., during the UTA, at the Homestead Air Reserve Base fitness center ball field. All members of Team Homestead are invited to attend. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Commander's Call, Recognizing Airmen. The day will feature kickball and softball tournaments, food, and live music. For more information, call the 482nd FW Public Affairs Office at 786-415-7330. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Ross Tweten)

Birders flock to Homestead ARB for annual bird count

Bonnie Ponwith surveys the landscape with her binoculars during the 2012 Christmas Bird Count at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Dec. 9. As a National Audubon society program, the Christmas Bird Count is an annual event, more than a century old, that takes place across the country, where tens of thousands of volunteers, students, scientists, and bird enthusiasts turn their heads to the sky in the name of conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

Birders flock to Homestead ARB for annual bird count

Birders participating in the 2012 Christmas Bird Count at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Dec. 9. As a National Audubon society program, the Christmas Bird Count is an annual event, more than a century old, that takes place across the country, where tens of thousands of volunteers, students, scientists, and bird enthusiasts turn their heads to the sky in the name of conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

Birders flock to Homestead ARB for annual bird count

Birders participating in the 2012 Christmas Bird Count at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., Dec. 9. As a National Audubon society program, the Christmas Bird Count is an annual event, more than a century old, that takes place across the country, where tens of thousands of volunteers, students, scientists, and bird enthusiasts turn their heads to the sky in the name of conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)