Flower Festival Parade 2013

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. Ryan Peterson, 30th Space Wing command chief, and wife Andra, wave to spectators during the city of Lompoc's 61st annual Flower Festival Parade on Saturday, July 29. Peterson rode in the procession for the parade which was themed "A Salute to the Red, White and Blue". (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

Flower Festival Parade 2013

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, and wife Christine, wave to spectators during the city of Lompoc's 61st annual Flower Festival Parade on Saturday, June 29. Balts rode in the procession for the parade which was themed "A Salute to the Red, White and Blue". (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

Flower Festival Parade 2013

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Members of the Vandenberg Honor Guard team march through the city of Lompoc during the city's 61st annual Flower Festival Parade on Saturday, June 29. The team was selected to lead the procession for the parade which was themed "A Salute to the Red, White and Blue". (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

30th Operations Group changes command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, passes the ceremonial guidon to Col. Marcelino Del Rosario, incoming 30th Operations Group commander, during a change of command here Tuesday, June 25. The passing of the guidon represents the transfer of authority and responsibility from one commander to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

30th Operations Group changes command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, accepts the ceremonial guidon from Col. David Hook, departing 30th Operations Group commander, during a change of command here Tuesday, June 25. The passing of the guidon represents the transfer of authority and responsibility from one commander to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

30th Operations Group changes command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. David Hook, departing 30th Operations Group commander, addresses 30 OG members and guests during a change of command ceremony here Tuesday, June 25. Hook commanded the 30 OG from June 2011 to June 2013 and is retiring from the Air Force after his command is complete. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

30th Operations Group changes command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg Color Guard members march in to post the colors during the 30th Operations Group change of command ceremony here Tuesday, June 25. The 30 OG commands and controls the Western Range and directs range resources in support of space launches, missile test launches and aeronautical and space surveillance operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

30th Operations Group changes command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Guests and family members stand as a Vandenberg color guard team prepares to post the colors during the 30th Operations Group change of command ceremony here Tuesday, June 25. The 30 OG commands and controls the Western Range and directs range resources in support of space launches, missile test launches and aeronautical and space surveillance operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

ALS Graduation 13-E

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Guests and family members give a congratulatory round of applause for Class 13-E, a group of sixteen graduates from Airman Leadership School, during a ceremony here Thursday, 20 June. ALS is a five week-long United States Air Force program designed to develop airmen into effective front-line supervisors, focusing on the development of leadership abilities as well as effective communication.

ALS Graduation 13-E

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Master Sgt. Cecil Tonguet, 30th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant and guest speaker, presents Senior Airman Timothy Cram, 30th Comptroller Squadron lead defense travel administrator, with the distinguished John Levitow Award during an Airman Leadership School graduation ceremony here Thursday, 20 June. The John Levitow Award is the highest honor presented to a graduate of Air Force Enlisted Professional Military Education (PME), including Airman Leadership School, NCO Academy, and the Senior NCO Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

Housekeeping Hero

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Daniel Becker, 30th Force Support Squadron lodging manager, presents Adriana Quintero, 30 FSS lodging housekeeper, with an on-the-spot cash award during a ceremony here Tuesday, Jun. 18. Quintero was honored for her heroic response in helping rescue a baby that choked on an object and stopped breathing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

Housekeeping Hero

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Adriana Quintero, 30th Force Support Squadron lodging housekeeper, reunites with Peyton Paschall, the baby she helped rescue from choking, during an award presentation ceremony here Tuesday, Jun. 18. Quintero was honored for her heroic response and for going above and beyond the call of duty in her support of Vandenberg lodging guests. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

U.S. Army celebrates 238th birthday

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Tradition dictates that the oldest soldier Lt. Col. Aaron Luck, Joint Functional Component Command for Space chief of force enhancement, and the youngest, Staff Sgt. Daniel Pineda, 614th Air and Space Operation Center member, cuts the U.S. Army birthday cake here Friday, June 14, 2013. The U.S. Army was born on June 14, 1775, was leaderless until July 3, 1775 and since then has grown to become a major fighting force built upon professional men and women ready and willing to serve their country and its people. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

U.S. Army celebrates 238th birthday

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – U.S. Army Capt. Paul Sneller, 614th Air and Space Operation Center officer and organizer of the event, speaks during a cake cutting in celebration of the U.S. Army’s 238th birthday here Friday, June 14, 2013. According to the official Army website, two hundred thirty-eight years ago, our nation's leaders established the Continental Army, beginning a rich heritage of successfully defending this great country and her citizens. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Welcome home defenders

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.— Members of the 30th Security Forces Squadron step off a bus at the 30 SFS building here June 7, 2013. Eleven defenders returned from a six-month deployment in an undisclosed location in Southeast Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Kaylee Ausbun)

Welcome home defenders

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.—Girlfriend of Senior Airman Christopher Rey, 30th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, stands by a welcome home sign at the 30th SFS building here June 7, 2013. Rey and 10 other defenders returned from a six-month deployment in an undisclosed location in Southeast Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Kaylee Ausbun)

Team V congratulates newest MSgt. selects

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Col. Brent McArthur, 30th Space Wing vice commander, congratulates the individuals selected to the rank of master sergeant at the Pacific Coast Club’s enlisted lounge here Friday, May 31, 2013. The master sergeants promotion ceremony recognizes the significant promotion to senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Team V congratulates newest MSgt selects

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A congratulatory cake for team V’s newest master sergeant’s sets during Vandenberg’s Master Sergeants Promotion Ceremony at the Pacific Coast Club’s enlisted lounge here Friday, May 31, 2013. The master sergeants promotion ceremony recognizes the significant promotion to senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Team V congratulates newest MSgt selects

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – One of the master sergeant selects clap for fellow selectees during Vandenberg’s Master Sergeants Promotion Ceremony at the Pacific Coast Club’s enlisted lounge here Friday, May 31, 2013. The master sergeants promotion ceremony recognizes the significant promotion to senior noncommissioned officer in the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Colonel Balts takes command of 30th SW

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Lt. Col. Mary Garbowski, 30th Medical Support Squadron commander, sings the national anthem during a change-of-command here Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Balts took command of the 30th SW at the ceremony from the former 30th SW commander, Col. Nina Armagno. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Colonel Balts takes command of 30th SW

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, commander of U.S. Strategic Command’s Joint Functional Component Command for Space and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), accepts the 30th SW guideon from Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing former commander, during a change-of-command here Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Col. Keith Balts took command of the 30th SW at the ceremony from the former 30th SW commander, Armagno. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Colonel Balts takes command of 30th SW

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, commander of U.S. Strategic Command’s Joint Functional Component Command for Space and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), speaks during a change-of-command here Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Col. Keith Balts took command of the 30th SW at the ceremony from the former 30th SW commander, Col. Nina Armagno. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Colonel Balts takes command of 30th SW

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The official party salutes the United States flag during a 30th Space Wing change-of-command at the parade grounds here Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Col. Keith Balts took command of the 30th SW at the ceremony from the former 30th SW commander, Col. Nina Armagno. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

Colonel Balts takes command of 30th SW

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Base honor guard members post the colors during a 30th Space Wing change-of-command at the parade grounds here Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Col. Keith Balts took command of the 30th SW at the ceremony from the former 30th SW commander, Col. Nina Armagno. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)