Competitors Chosen for Guardian Challenge

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Jillian Voyles, a 2nd Range Operations Squadron aerospace control officer, uses the status and alert lights during a training scenario on Jan. 14. Aerospace control officers ensure launch hazard areas are clear of boats, trains, aircraft, and personnel on oil rigs during launch operations. The scenario is the deciding factor on who is selected to be on the elite 30th Space Wing Guardian Challenge Team. Air Force Space Command hails GC as the only space war fighter competition in the Air Force. The competition pits the "best of the best" space war fighters against each other, determining the top space wing teams in the Air Force. The event captures the essence of competition through rigorous evaluation and increases the overall capabilities of operations teams to perform their missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Competitors Chosen for Guardian Challenge

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Capt. Jon Krepsky, a 30th Operations Support Squadron mission control flight officer, flips through the pages of a range operations manual during a training scenario on Jan. 14. Mission flight control officers are responsible for all flight control activities including launch preparation, pre-flight test and evaluations and flight control from liftoff to end of mission. The scenario is the deciding factor on who is selected to be on the elite 30th Space Wing Guardian Challenge Team. Air Force Space Command hails GC as the only space war fighter competition in the Air Force. The competition pits the "best of the best" space war fighters against each other, determining the top space wing teams in the Air Force. The event captures the essence of competition through rigorous evaluation and increases the overall capabilities of operations teams to perform their missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Construction begins on fitness center

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Steve Tanous, 30th Space Wing commander, speaks with members involved in the construction of the new base fitness center at it's site on Jan. 16. The new base fitness center is slated to open sometime in the spring of 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo / A1C Christopher Hubenthal)

Construction begins on fitness center

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lt. Col. David Piech 30th Civil Engineer Squadron commander (left), Col. Benjamin Huff, 30th MSG commander (center) and Command Chief Master Sgt Cari Kent of the 30th Space Wing (right) break the ground at the new fitness center site on Jan. 16. The new base fitness center is slated to open in the spring of 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo / A1C Christopher Hubenthal)

Gen. Kehler visits Vandeberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- Gen. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command commander shakes hands with Col. Steve Tanous, 30th Space Wing commander, after concluding his visit here Tuesday, Jan. 08. General Kehler's visit consisted of a tour of Vandenberg's launch facilities, Maj. Gen. William Shelton's promotion to Lt. Gen., as well as meeting with Vandenberg Airmen and leadership to address questions and concerns regarding the misson of the Air Force and Air Force Space Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Plew)

General Kehler visits Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- Gen. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command commander coins five members of Vandenberg's 30th Security Forces for their service while deployed to Iraq during his visit here Jan. 08. This was one of many visits General Kehler made during his one day stay at Vandenberg where he also met with base leadership and addressed questions concerning the future of the Air Force's mission and the future of Air Force Space Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Plew)

1977 Wildland Fire Memorial

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Mr. Ted Jackson, 30th Range Management Squadron, plays "Amazing Grace" on his bag pipes during the 30th Anniversary Memorial Service of the Wildland Fire in front of Fire Station 2 on Dec. 21. The memorial was held to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the 1977 Wildland Fire here on Vandenberg AFB. Four Air Force members gave their lives during the fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Olds)

Space welcomes new 3-star

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- General Kevin P. Chilton, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (left) and Mrs. Linda Shelton (right) pin a third star on Lieutenant General William Shelton, at an official ceremony held Tuesday at Vandenberg Air Force Base. General Shelton is Commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic Command and Commander of 14th Air Force, Air Force Space Command. General Shelton was confirmed by Congress for his third star December 19, 2007. General Chilton was the presiding officer for the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Mechanics in 30th LRS keep vehicles ready, rolling

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Rudy DeVera, an auto mechanic with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, performs routine maintenance on a vehicle on Dec. 6. 30th LRS combines planning, supply and transportation skills into one organization with all resources to keep pace with the swift demands of deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Mechanics in 30th LRS keep vehicles ready, rolling

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Dennis Inocentes, an auto mechanic with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, performs routine maintenance on a vehicle on Dec. 6. 30th LRS combines planning, supply and transportation skills into one organization with all resources to keep pace with the swift demands of deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

LRS/Vehicle Maintenance

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Francisco Avila, 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, changes a coolant filter on a fire engine on Dec. 5. Sergeant Avila conducts scheduled maintenance on some of Vandenberg's emergency vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Olds)

LRS/Vehicle Maintenance

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Jason Walters, 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, screws a door panel to a fire engine on Dec. 5. Staff Sgt. Walters recently returned from convoy duty in Iraq while stationed at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Olds)