Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Gates helps his 11-year-old son, Nathaniel, through the first water obstacle at the Emerald Coast MudRun for Orphans in Niceville, Fla., May 19, 2012.

Active duty and reserve service members came out to get dirty in either the morning or afternoon challenges.

Gates is assigned to the Air Armament Center on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.