Baseball fans rejoice, for spring training is right around the corner and Opening Day will be here sooner than you think.

The Seattle Mariners released details about the club's 8th annual Salute to Armed Forces Night. 

(This from the 446th Airlift Wing PA.)

The Seattle Mariners professional baseball team is hosting its 8th annual Salute to Armed Forces event April 17. The Seattle Mariners will be playing the Detroit Tigers in a game that starts at 6:10 p.m.  Salute to Armed Forces begin at 5:30 p.m., with a special pre-game program honoring the United States Armed Forces, service veterans and support organizations.  

This year the 446th Airlift Wing will represent the Air Force in on field activities, to include first pitch and accepting a plaque honoring the Air Force. 

Reservists can obtain discounted tickets through the 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office.  Order and pay for your tickets by April 5,  by stopping in at the PA office, Bldg. 1214, Room 110 during duty hours. 

Discounted tickets are: View Reserved seats are $10, Field seats are $25 and Terrace Club seats are $30. Reservists who'd like to go as a group should buy their tickets at the same time. Checks will only be accepted. Please make them out to "446 Orientation Tour."  For more information, call (253) 982-3330.    

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke Tuesday at a Joint Armed Forces Officers' Wives club banquet at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., offering her support for military families.  

Read the complete story on the Air Force's Web site here.

The Seattle Times' Hal Bernton wrote an interesting piece on McChord's Operation Deep Freeze mission.

Read it here.

(From the 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

Airmen assigned to the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron depart for Haiti late tonight to bring specialized airfield operations skills and equipment to the humanitarian relief effort at Port-Au-Prince's Toussaint L'Ouventure International Airport.

The 15-airmen APS team is made up of experts in airfield operations and allows critical relief supplies to be unloaded from cargo aircraft with aircraft engines still running. This allows faster ground times for all aircraft bringing in relief supplies and departing with evacuees.

Prior to the earthquake, Haiti's single runway airport averaged three takeoffs and landings per day; under current U.S. Air Force operation, the airfield is averaging more than 170 takeoffs and landings daily in support of ongoing humanitarian efforts.

"It's a privilege to participate in this operation and help the Haitian people," said Air Force Master Sgt Jason Aven, 62nd APS air transportation operations center, senior NCO in charge.  "Engine running off-loads and on-loads are one of the most specialized skills the Air Force brings to this humanitarian airlift operation; it allows us to safely download cargo in minimal time to rush aid to the Haitian people."

This year's Northwest Pacific Joint Service E-9 Ball will be sponsored by the Air Force.  The ball is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in Hangar 9 on McChord. All E-9s, including active duty, reserve, guard, retired, and their guests are invited to attend. Attire is mess dress or service equivalent for military members and formal for civilians. To sign up, contact one of the following service representatives no later than Jan. 20.

For Air Force, call Chief Master Sgt. Charles Bell at (253) 982-0064; Army: Sgt. Maj. Robert Carmel at (253) 948-2968, Coast Guard; Master Chief Petty Officer John Dunn at (206) 220-7192, Marines; Sgt. Maj. Richard Smith at (360) 265-5248, retirees; Harry Schreiber at (253) 661-9064.

Here's an interesting story that ran in The New York Times about how the Air Force is handling all the data obtained by the continued use of drones to monitor hostile areas in Afghanistan.

It's an interesting read. 

According to one 62nd Airlift Wing deputy commander, this is the busiest season yet of Operation Deep Freeze at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. 

Crews from both the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings are fully entrenched in the mission, which supports the National Science Foundation's research.

Read more about this year's mission here.

McChord Center United Service Organization Manager Tracye Kakely said today the center put together 100 holiday baskets full of non-perishable items for needy military families. Donations for the baskets came in from various volunteers and local businesses.

Representatives from the Marines and the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings picked up the non-perishable items to deliver to the families in time for Christmas day.

Also, for more information on what the USO Puget Sound is doing in the local military community, become a fan on Facebook. In the search area, type "USO Puget Sound." 

Nearly 2,000 emergency services vehicles from all over the U.S. and Canada gathered at McChord Dec. 8, lining up for the miles-long funeral procession for the slain Lakewood police officers. One airman from the 446th Maintenance Squadron stood at attention for nearly four hours as the procession exited the flightline. Read more here.

The Buffalo Bills cheerleaders will sign autographs and hand out posters from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the McChord B/X. 

If you miss them on McChord, head over to the Fort Lewis P/X from 3 to 5 p.m.