Team Buckley to conduct Operational Readiness Exercise

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jeremy Valdez, services clerk, 140th Force Support Squadron, prepares the sign-in register in preparation for Airmen arriving for lunch during an Operational Readiness Exercise at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 20, 2012. The exercise evaluates service members’ mission readiness for real world deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr.)

Team Buckley to conduct Operational Readiness Exercise

A U.S. Air Force Airman was treated with multiple nerve agent antidotes after being exposed during an exercise attack scenario as part of an Operational Readiness Exercise at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 20, 2012. The exercise evaluates service members’ mission readiness for real world deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr.)

Team Buckley to conduct Operational Readiness Exercise

U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel Costello, physician assistant, 140th Medical Group, calls for medication for a patient as Senior Airman Sharon Cook, medical technician, 140 MDG, records vital signs during an Operational Readiness Exercise at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 20, 2012. The exercise evaluates service members’ mission readiness for real world deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr.)

Team Buckley to conduct Operational Readiness Exercise

U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel Costello, physician assistant, 140th Medical Group, reviews a patient medical chart with Tech. Sgt. David Brown, medic, 140 MDG, during an Operational Readiness Exercise at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 20, 2012. The exercise evaluates service members’ mission readiness for real world deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr.)

MSgt Theiral

The author: Colorado Air National Guard Master Sgt. Cheresa D. Theiral gets some fresh air atop Dome Peak, a landing zone at 12,200 feet above sea level, Aug. 25, 2011, while waiting for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter she rode there on to return. Theiral is working on a story series about the Colorado Army National Guard’s High-altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Gypsum, Colo. (Photo © 2011 Deborah Grigsby Photography | www.deborahgrigsby.com) (Used with permission)

Governor's Holiday Party

Colorado National Guard families enjoy crafts, cookies and a special holiday story at the Beottcher Mansion, Dec. 19, 2011, in Denver. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper hosted the holiday reception for the family members of deployed Colorado National Guardsmen. Hickenlooper and Santa Claus arrived on the scene via a holiday humvee. (Official Colorado National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Cheresa D. Theiral)