Satellite simulation

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Learning the physics of a satellite, 2nd Lt. Adam Brown, a 392nd Training Squadron student, demonstrates how an attitude control system actuator for a satellite works for his Space 100 classmates here May 19. By standing on a rotating pedestal and holding a spinning wheel apparatus straight out in front of them, students are able to gain a fun understanding of how they make a satellite move by tilting the wheel either left or right. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

Ensuring safe summer travel

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Master Sgt. Rob Bedell (left), the chief enlisted manager of the 30th Launch Group, and Lt. Col. Judy Gavin (right), the chief nurse of the 30th Medical Operations Squadron, stops a driver exiting the Santa Maria Gate to ensure that she is wearing a seat belt here May 21. The 101 Critical Days of Summer kicked off May 20. All of Team V is reminded to remain safe and use common sense when it comes to traveling and participating in outdoor activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Model of power

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Preparing for the real deal, 1st Lt. Robert Holland, a Space 100 student with the 392nd Training Squadron, conducts a test of the thermal panels of an EyasSat training module during a laboratory exercise here May 19. The EyasSat module is a major satellite subsystem designed to give students the hands-on experience they need to conduct successful satellite space operations for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

Grilling the experts

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Learing from a professional, 2nd Lt. Jessie Tiffany, a Space 100 student with the 392nd Training Squadron, receives career advice from 381st Training Group instructor Capt. Barry Mitchell about her new assignment to Malmstrom AFB, Mont., during a squadron burger burn here May 19. The cookout is traditionally held for students after they receive their new assignments.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

Vandenberg children run for Armed Forces Day

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Mickey Sederburg of the 533rd Training Squadron runs with his daughter, Annika, and son, Jonah, during America's Armed Forces Kids Run here May 16. The Armed Forces Kids Run was one of many events in celebration of Armed Forces Day. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Smoke out

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg firefighters discuss the test of a high-pressure hose after calming a controlled fire in east housing here May 12. Members of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Vandenberg fire department tested a high-pressure nozzle system versus a traditional nozzle system. The test was to determine if the high pressure hose could work in structural fires. ( U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria)

Vandenberg learns from civilian fire captain

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- As flames aproach, John Crotty, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron fire captain, surveys the line of the Jesusita wildfire here May 7. Captain Crotty, who has fought fires for more than 20 years, is the fire captain of Vandenberg Fire Station 4. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Unit Focus: 576th FLTS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- During an annual inspection, Senior Airman Colby Green of the 576th Flight Test Squadron executes a hoist chain inspection on a payload transporter here May 14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Unit Focus: 576th FLTS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Taking the time to ensure quality work, Senior Airman Colby Green (left) and Staff Sgt. Carlos Laurencio (right), both of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, prepare to execute a hoist chain inspection here May 14. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Unit Focus: 576th FLTS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- After an annual inspection, Staff Sgt. Gene Concannon of the 576th Flight Test Squadron reinstalls covers to a payload transporter here May 14. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Inspection ready

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Jack Anderson, Air Force Space Command's Inspector General deputy chief, speaks with Lt. Col. Lesa Toler, the 576th Flight Test Squadron commander, at the Western Range Operations Control Center here May 12. The AFSPC IG is conducting a Unit Compliance Inspection of the 30th Space Wing from May 11-21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Farewell to the chief

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. Cari Kent, the 30th Space Wing command chief, takes the seat of honor at her farewell dinner here May 8. Chief Kent will take the 341st Missile Wing command chief position at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., after serving two years as command chief here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Hot view

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- As flames aproach, John Crotty, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron fire captain, surveys the line of the Jesusita wildfire here May 7. Vandenberg's fire fighters regularly work with firefighters across the state to put out the flames during California's fire season. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Unit Focus - 532nd TRS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Starting with the basics, Staff Sgt. Chris Taylor, a 532nd Training Squadron missile and space systems electronic maintenance instructor, demonstrates how to use tools for 532nd TRS students here May 6. The EMT course includes the operation, inspection, checkout and periodic maintenance of Weapon System WS-133, to include launch facility, missile alert facility, support base, aerospace vehicle equipment and operational ground equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Unit Focus - 532nd TRS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Robert O'Hagan, a 532nd Training Squadron air launch missile maintenance instructor, helps 532nd TRS students learn how to create a safety wire May 4. The students are going through the ALMM course here, which is designed to give Airmen a understanding of how missiles operate. Sergeant O'Hagan has been an instructor for six months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Unit Focus - 532nd TRS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Steven Zimmer, a 532nd Training Squadron air launch missile maintenance instructor, helps 532nd TRS students learn how to create a safety wire here May 4. Several items, such as bolts on a missile, must be safety-wired in place to prevent the parts from shaking loose during flight. Sergeant Zimmer has been an instructor for a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Unit Focus - 532nd TRS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Keeping his students on track, Staff Sgt. Dustin Isbell, a 532nd Training Squadron missile and space systems facilities instructor, watches as Airman Ryan Turner and Airman 1st Class Adam Shade, 532nd TRS students, look over a power schematic here May 4. This course provides students the skills and knowledge needed to maintain and operate launch facility and missile alert facility diesel-electrical and electrical power systems, support vehicles, refrigeration and environmental control systems, and waste disposal systems. It covers fundamentals of electrical circuits, symbols, components, wiring diagrams, microprocessors and monitors, as well as diesel electrical units. Sergeant Isbell has been an instructor for a year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Unit Focus - 532nd TRS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Working as a team, Airman Patrick Cosby, Airman 1st Class Jerad Morgan, and Airman 1st Class Jeff Estes, 532nd Training Squadron students, troubleshoot a new environmental control system for the missile facilities here May 5. The missile and space systems facilities course provides students the skills and knowledge needed to maintain and operate launch facility and missile alert facility diesel-electrical and electrical power systems, support vehicles, refrigeration and environmental control systems, and waste disposal systems. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Unit Focus - 532nd TRS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman Basic David Smith, a 532nd Training Squadron student, inspects W950 ordnance cable for damage as Tech. Sgt. Brian Belan, a 532nd Training Squadron missile and space systems maintenance instructor, watches for mistakes here May 6. The course includes a missile and space systems overview, code handling procedures, technical publications, maintenance forms, tools, corrosion, security, environmental compliance, hazardous communication, maintenance principles, practices and management. Sergeant Belan has been an instructor for three years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

LRSW team breaks ground for telemetry antenna

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Members of the Launch Range Systems Wing Team prepare to break ground for a new telemetry antenna for the Western Range here. Once complete, the antenna will sit atop a rigid 60-foot riser and reach 113 feet in the air. (Courtesy photo)

Running with a cause

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Staff Sgt. Micky Sederberg of the 533 training squadron and his family participate in the monthly wing run at the parade grounds here April 30. Sergeant Sederberg and his family show support of the child abuse and domestic violence program by wearing blue. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kerelin Molina)

Airmen's time

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Military training leaders and Airmen of the 381st Training Group gather for a briefing at the end of the duty day here April 25. Airmen's Time allows MTL's the opportunity to teach Airmen about military life. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Preparing for duty

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Before their shift starts, Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Watson, a 381st Training Support Squadron military training leader, goes over the charge of quarters duties with Airman Brandon Turnage, a 533rd Training Squadron student, while Airman James Faulk, also a student, takes notes May 1. MTL's counsel, mentor and train non-prior service technical training Airmen to adapt to military life at their next duty station. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Evaluating an Airman

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Watson, a 381st Training Support Squadron military training leader, reads a Form 341 from Airman 1st Class Jeremy Merryman, a 532nd Training Squadron student, May 1. A 341 is the primary method Air Force technical schools use to document discrepancies and excellence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)