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  • Fore! Patrick youth makes national golf team

    The 14-year old son of an NCO stationed at Patrick AFB could be the country's next great golf star.Trey Valentine, son of Tech. Sgt. Fletcher Valentine, NCOIC of medical material for the 45th Medical Group, made the Tiger Woods Foundation National Junior Golf Team for the fifth time in a row this year."He's just very driven to succeed," said
  • When Pepper Barrera gave birth Dec. 1 to Christian, the baby’s father, Tech. Sgt. Enrique Barrera, 45th Security Forces Squadron, was serving in Iraq where he will be until March. Still, Pepper said the support she received from his squadron, her friends and neighbors helped pull her through. “Unless you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to understand the idea of the ‘Air Force Family.’ I’ve been though it, and I know it’s true,” she said. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chris Calkins)

    The meaning of being an "Air Force family"

    Pepper Barrera readily admits both she and her husband, Tech. Sgt. Enrique Barrera of the 45th Security Forces Squadron, knew there was a pretty good chance he would be deployed when their first baby was born.It turns out they were right. But it doesn't make it any easier.Not that either one of them are complaining."We've been married 12 and a half
  • Staff Sgt. Rene Garza of the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron pulls a tire from a wheel hub as he fixes bicycles for the Patrick Fire Department's Bike Program. The program donates used bikes to local charities for distribution to needy individuals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman David Dobrydney)

    Patrick Fire Department on a roll with donated bicycles

    Have you got an old but usable bicycle in your garage you're not riding anymore?A good way to keep it rolling is the Patrick Fire Department Bike Program. Overseen by Crew Chief Rob Norris, the program collects old bicycles of all sizes, refurbishes them and delivers them to local charities for distribution.Mr. Norris helped start the program in
  • Tech. Sgt. Ferdinand Smith of the Patrick Explosive Ordnance Disposal team prepares the flexible explosives that will be detonated to dispose of the charges buried by his feet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman David Dobrydney)

    Up in smoke with the EOD team

    If you heard an explosion from Cape Canaveral Nov. 30, don't be alarmed.It was the Patrick AFB Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team doing its job on the range. These Airmen sometimes like to make things go boom!Most often, the team disposes of flares that wash up on the beach or World War II-era ordnance that turns up. Last week the team went to

  • 'Tis the season...to be vigilant

    Many of us hear a lot of talk about the increase in crime during the holiday season. We are warned time and again to lock our doors, make sure we know who we are doing business with, and to keep our wits when we are out in public, especially when in a crowd.A current, long-time employee of Patrick Air Force Base recently learned that lesson the

  • Taking a bite out of crime; new dog joins security forces

    At 11 years old, Arko was one of the older dogs attached to the 45th Security Forces Squadron, and the strain of being a military working dog had taken its toll."It gets to the point where they can't work anymore due to age," said Staff Sgt. Russell Waldon, a dog handler for the 45th SFS. In most cases, the dog is offered for adoption by a local
  • Gregg Kraver, the new Executive Director of the 45th Space Wing (Photo by Airman David Dobrydney)

    New Executive Director brings wealth of experience

    When Gregg Kraver, formerly of the 45th Launch Group, was told he had been selected to be executive director of the 45th Space Wing earlier this month, it was a high point to an already long and full career.He grew up in the Satellite Beach area, where his father served as chief of maintenance and logistics for the Eastern Space and Missile Systems

  • Telling how they "Do Something Amazing"

    In the shadow of Space Launch Complex 41 with the Atlas V rocket perched atop the pad, Mike McCoy, Bandito Brothers film director, interviewed members of the 5th Space Launch Squadron."So, tell me about your job?" Mike asked in his easy going interview style. This interview, along with many others with 45th Space Wing Airmen, was conducted Oct.

  • Local retirees reflect on Air Force's first day

    Two local retirees, who were on active duty when the Air Force became a separate service, reflected on the historic day.When Joseph Pannitto joined in January 1947, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. "I was just a young kid, I wasn't interested in politics," he said, "but I was interested in planes."It was during his training at the signal school

  • 'Number please?' Operator has been on job for 50 years

    When Ruth Wotring, also known as "Operator 13," started working on the switchboard at Patrick AFB in 1957 gas was 31 cents per gallon, Dwight D. Eisenhower was President, the Soviets launched "Sputnik" and there were only 48 states in the union. She celebrated 50 years of service July 1.When Ms. Wotring, now a contractor for the 45th Space
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