Americans, Italians unite to fight against cancer

Cancer survivors walk during the Survivor’s Lap of Aviano’s third annual Relay for Life event April 27 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. More than 2,600 volunteers gathered at the event, all working toward a common goal: fighting against cancer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)

Americans, Italians unite to fight against cancer

Staff Sgt. Jamie Wright supports her friend currently battling cancer, Bruna Zondona, during Aviano’s third annual Relay for Life event April 27 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Zondona is an Italian citizen from Aviano and has worked at the 31st Security Forces Squadron military working dog kennels for the past 25 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)

A simple request

Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Craver, 31st Fighter Wing command chief, jokes around with his daughter on the porch of his house. For 18 years, his daughter has associated the military uniform with that of safety, security, dignity, trust and respect. However, with more than 700 sexual assaults reported across the Air Force in 2012, the uniform can be a fearful reminder that their brothers or sisters in arms assaulted them. (Courtesy Photo)

Get prepared, drive safe

Motorists are encouraged to begin preparing their vehicles for the upcoming winter months to help offset the aggravations and minimize the risks associated with driving in the winter. In Italy, motorists are required to have snow tires or snow chains on board all vehicles effective Nov. 15 through March 31, 2013 when driving on most of the autostradas.

Historic tale of two cities

Officially named the Church of Our Lady, most now know this historical landmark as the Matthias Church, named after the 15th century renaissance king. (courtesy photo)

U.S., Bulgarian Airmen repair parks, build bridges during Thracian Star 2012

U.S. Air Force members rake and clean debris from a soccer field April 22, 2012, in Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria. More than 150 U.S. and Bulgarian air force members volunteered their off-duty time to refurbish playground equipment and build a soccer field at a village playground. Volunteers cleaned and painted playground equipment and raked, supplied new goals, cleaned and laid grass seed down in a field. U.S. Air Force members are deployed from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, to Graf Ignatievo Air Force Base in support of Thracian Star 2012, a bilateral coalition training exercise geared towards strengthening partnerships and improving interoperability between NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katherine Windish)