Aviano's 'Best of the best'

Members of the 31st Fighter Wing Honor Guard parctice basic drills Jan. 9, 2013 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Practice is held every Wednesday, starting at 3:30 p.m., in Area F Building 1467. Honor guard members must demonstrate dedication, commitment and precision, along with maintaining high standard of dress and appearance, as well as clean-cut execution of ceremonial drills. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Michael Battles)

Aviano's 'Best of the best'

Members of the 31st Fighter Wing Honor Guard parctice basic drills Jan. 9, 2013 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The Aviano Honor Guard performs 4 to 10 details per month and in 2012, they supported more than 85 details.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Michael Battles)

Pens and Prosecco

Pens and Prosecco club members discuss writing styles during a meeting Jan. 9 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The club is a creative writing group that helps aspiring writers become more proficient and creative with their writing. (Courtesy photo)

Sandy Hook 5k Memorial Run

Children of Master Sgt. Todd Mangel, 31st Munitions Squadron, show off their shirts they made for the Sandy Hook 5k Memorial Run Jan. 12 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The event had 317 participants and raised $5,200 to go directly to a local charity to aid the Newtown, Conn. community. (U.S. Air Force photo /Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph)

Sandy Hook 5k Memorial Run

Sandy Hook 5k Memorial Run volunteers keep track of participants and count money Jan. 12 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The event had 317 participants and raised $5,200 to go directly to a local charity to aid the Newtown, Conn. community. (U.S. Air Force photo /Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph)

The Biggest Winner

Members of Team Aviano participate in spin class Jan. 10 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Participants who have signed up for The Biggest Winner can gain points by partaking in any fitness class offered at the Dragon and Falcon Fitness Centers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Briana Jones)

The Biggest Winner

Master Sgt. Manuel Gonzalez, 31st Operations Support Squadron chief controller, lifts weights Jan. 10 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Weight training, cardio, spin class and all other fitness classes count toward this year’s Biggest Winner competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Briana Jones)

'Travel the Boot'

Heather Clarke participated in this year’s ‘Travel the Boot’ helping more than 100 participants accumulate 12,696 miles. Clarke came in third place with an overall distance of 2,130 miles. (Courtesy photo)

Logistics Readiness Squadron build cribs

Airman 1st Class Daryn Smith (left), 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, and Senior Airman Marqeitta Bradford, 31st LRS traffic management operation clerk, tighten a screw Dec. 14 at the Child Development Center at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Airmen from LRS assembled 51 cribs to help meet new child-safety standards. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz)

La Bella Vista Club makes changes

James Griggs, 31st Force Support Squadron cook, designs flowers using vegetables, Dec. 14, at the La Bella Vista Club at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The La Bella Vista Club staff is planning new programs and services for Aviano Airmen and their families in the upcoming year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz)

Volunteering runs strong in the Aviano community

Five Airmen from the 31st Force Support Squadron receives Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Nov. 30 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The recipents of the medal were Tech Sgt. Corey Groves, Tech Sgt. Tamas Williams, Staff Sgt. May Ann Coleman, Staff Sgt. Kathleen Staehle, and Senior Airman Keith Allen. Together the volunteered over 3,400 hours.(Courtesy Photo)

Cookie Drive

Aviano volunteers help bag cookies for an annual Cookie Drive Dec. 4 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Aviano Officer and Civilian Spouses Club joined with Aviano Civilian and Enlisted Spouses to host this year’s annual Cookie Drive. The cookies will be given to 800 Airmen in the dorm, shift workers, and Operation Yellow Ribbon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph)

Holiday Card Lane

(Left) Airmen 1st Class Andrew Goldsmith dental technician and Jorge Silva orthodontic technician 31st Dental Squadron, set up their Holiday card Dec. 3 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. This is the seventh year the base community has participated in the Holiday Card Lane Contest an Aviano tradition. Winners will be announced at the Holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Briana Jones)

Holiday Card Lane

Airmen from the 31st Contracting Squadron set up their Holiday card Dec. 3 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. This is the seventh year the base community has participated in the Holiday Card Lane Contest an Aviano tradition. Winners will be announced at the Holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Briana Jones)

It's only a day away

Cast members of ‘Annie’ rehearse for the upcoming stage performance Nov. 9 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The musical is one of three plays to be held during the 2012-2013 school year. (Courtesy photo)

It's only a day away

Cast members of ‘Annie’ rehearse for the upcoming stage performance Nov. 9 at Aviano Air Base, Italy.The musical is about a young orphan who tries to find a family to adopt her. ‘Annie’ is one of three plays to be held during the 2012-2013 school year. (Courtesy photo)

Spouse It Up!

Spouses and children participate in a "Spouse It Up" bowling for turkeys event Nov. 14 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. This event serves as an avenue for spouses to come together and enjoy free bowling, childcare, food and prizes were provided.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph)

Retiree Apreciation Day

Robert Brown, U.S. Air Force retired, receives a dental cleaning Nov. 9 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 31st Dental Squadron hosted its' annual Retiree Appreciation Day in which they provided retirees and their families with routine examinations and cleanings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph)

Holiday Deadlines

Staff Sgt. Krystlynn Romano, 31st Communications Squadron postal specialist, sorts small and large incoming packages Oct. 24 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. During the holidays, the post office will receive more than 60 percent of their annual business. To alleviate some of the congestion officials are seeking volunteers from the Aviano community. Assistance is needed from Nov. 12 through Jan. 12 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph)

Holiday Deadlines

Staff Sgt. Eldrige Jones, 31st Logistic Readiness Squadron central storage supervisor, fills mailboxes with incoming letters Oct. 23 at Aviano Air Base. Jonesvolunteers at the post office once a week by helping sort and sitribute incoming mail.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jenay Randolph)

How may I help you?

(Left) Tylise Spencer, 31st Force Support Squadron Auto Hobby Shop operations clerk, helps Senior Airman Adam Goss schedule an oil change Oct. 24 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The FSS is committed to providing customers on base support and referrals to off base opportunities; take advantage of both to enhance a unique experience of living in Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Briana Jones)

Consolidated Unit Inspection

An F-16 Fighting Falcon prepares to takeoff during a Consolidated Unit Inspection Sept. 20, 2012, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Aviano is currently a test base for the new “wing-driven” inspections schedule which will help synchronize inspections, assessments and evaluations to allow the base greater flexibility to inspect and fulfill their mission demands while ensuring Airmen are combat-ready at all times. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez)

Consolidated Unit Inspection

A 31st Civil Engineer Squadron bioenvironmental specialist puts on protective equipments after a simulated C-130 crash during a consolidated unit inspection Sept. 19, 2012 at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Members were graded on how well they responded to the scene and operated in times of heightened readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama)

Consolidated Unit Inspection

Senior Master Sgt. Michael Edie, 31st Medical Group first sergeant, removes a wingman's protective overboot during a consolidated unit inspection at Aviano Air Base Sept. 19, 2012. Aviano is currently a test base for the new “wing-driven” inspections schedule which will help synchronize inspections, assessments and evaluations to allow the base greater flexibility to inspect and fulfill their mission demands while ensuring Airmen are combat-ready at all times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Whitney)