Prevent identity theft

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- John Sileo, an identity theft prevention specialist, teaches prevention techniques during the Financial Readiness Roadshow at the Pacific Coast Club here May 1. Mr. Sileo taught attendees to think like a spy when personal information is requested to avoid identity theft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Shaw)

Reporting for duty

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.. -- Applying a strip of tape, a firefighter helps to ensure a chemical suit is properly donned during the Foggy Shores exercise here April 22. Excercises, like Foggy Shores, ensure base personnel are ready for any crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Run to win

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Monique Ontiveros, a Special Olympian from Santa Barbara County, sprints during a 200-meter dash at the base track here April 25. Airmen from Vandenberg helped set up the event and escorted the competitors throughout the day. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Off to the races

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Matthew Pearson, a Special Olympian from Santa Barbara, sprints toward the finish line at the base track here April 25. Vandenberg Airmen and civilians volunteered their time and effort to make the event possible. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Failure to launch

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Making use of the whole court, members of the 30th Operations Group and the 30th Launch Group play an intramural volleyball game recently. The 30th OG came out the victors in the three-game match, winning game three 15-7. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria)

Earth Day fair brightens Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Getting into the Earth Day festivities, Roman Wankowski gets his face painted during the Earth Day Fair here April 22. The fair had a barbecue and small activities for adults and children from face painting to spinning a wheel to win recyclable prizes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Walk for hope

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- At the start of the Walk for Multiple Sclerosis, Amy Gonzalez helps Airman 1st Class Laura Blanco put on a bib that says, "I walk for my dad." Airman Blanco and Ms. Gonzalez, both with the 30th Medical Operations Squadron, were part of a 15-member team that walked to raise money for research for multiple sclerosis. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Walk for hope

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Laura Blanco, Capt. Brenda Dehn and Amy Gonzales, all with the 30th Medical Operations Squadron, review the layout of the route for the Walk for Multiple Sclerosis in downtown San Luis Obispo on April 26. Airman Blanco was the captain of a 15-member team that walked to raise money for research for multiple sclerosis. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Quick response

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Missile Defense Agency successfully completed an important exercise of the Kinetic Energy Interceptors program here in preparation for its inaugural flight test later this year. KEI is designed to be a mobile, globally deployable missile defense system featuring the MDA’s newest high-acceleration booster. KEI will provide the Ballistic Missile Defense System with a capability to defeat long-range ballistic missiles during the boost, ascent, and midcourse phases of flight. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Stress management

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen face problems ranging from issues at home to demanding work conditions on a daily basis. Fortunately, the Air Force takes care of its Airmen. Mental Health and the Military & Family Life Consultant Program are just two options available to help Airmen when the stress starts to become unbearable. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Airman 1st Class Heather Shaw)

Breaking and entering

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lt. Col. Joseph Milner, 30th Security Forces commander, alongside his family and 30th Space Wing Commander Col. David Buck, cuts the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Milner's new home and the first home to be opened in the new company and field grade housing complex here. The Milner's home is part of a project that encompasses 458 acres with plans to build 164 new homes and renovate 703 of the existing homes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Its getting hot in here

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- 30th Space Wing Command Chief Cari Kent ignites a house to start a fire training drill in Vandenberg's east housing April 16. The controlled burn allowed Vandenberg firefighters a chance to gain invaluable knowledge on how certain structures react to fire. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Shaw)

Its getting hot in here

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- 30th Space Wing commander Col. David Buck extinguishes the roaring flames with the assistance of fire captain Eric Potarak during a fire training excercise here April 16. The controlled burn exercise took part in east housing -- an area that is set to be demolished in an effort to build better housing for Vandenberg's Airmen.(U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Shaw)

Airmen join nation in Prayer Breakfast

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil Richardson, the Air Force's chief of chaplains, delivers a sermon on the Bible story of David and Goliath during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Pacific Coast Club here April 15. The breakfast is held annually and provides the opportunity to hear guest chaplains deliver messages. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Heather R. Shaw)

OAY 1st Lt. Lauren Neely

OAY 1st Lt. Lauren Neely

OAY Master Sgt. Michael Federer

OAY Master Sgt. Michael Federer

Recognition of service

VISALIA, Calif. -- Air Force veteran Michael McKinney thanks his wife Bertha McKinney for her support and advocacy that led to his receipt of a Purple Heart April 13. Mr. McKinney earned the medal when he was injured by a mortar attack during the Vietnam War. Due to paperwork issues, he was delayed receiving the medal for 41 years. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Heather R. Shaw)

Recognition of service

VISALIA, Calif. -- After a 41 year wait, Air Force veteran Michael McKinney is presented with a Purple Heart by 30th Space Wing commander Col. David Buck April 13. Mr. McKinney earned the medal when he was injured by a mortar attack during the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Heather R. Shaw)

I gave at the office

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- A physician with the United Blood Services applies pressure to the arm of 2nd Lt. Erik Ringstad, a 392nd Training Group student, after puncturing the median cubital vein April 2. Vandenberg hosts frequent blood drives. The last blood drive, held by the 30th Security Forces Squadron, saw 67 potential donors and donated 45 units of blood to the local community. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria)

Students from Manzanita Elementary School learn about child safety

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Students from Manzanita Elementary School, learn about the dangers of binge drinking April 9 during the Child Abuse Prevention Month here. The goal of the event was to educate children to recognize unsafe situations. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Air Force 1st Sgt. Angela Fernandez

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- 1st Sgt. Angela Fernandez from 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, observes an Airman ensure vehicles are compliant with Air Force standards. A first sergeant spends time building a positive relationship with Airmen in order to help keep Airmen focused on the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Air Force 1st Sgt. Angela Fernandez

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- 1st Sgt. Angela Fernandez from 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, counsels an LRS airman April 3 at the LRS command building. A first sergeant spends time building a positive relationship with Airmen in order to help keep Airmen focused on the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

LRS undergoes AFSO 21 process

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Steven Winters, the 30th Space Wing vice commander, along with Maj. Manuel Perez, the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, and Tech. Sgt. Forrest Chambers, the 30th LRS surface cargo noncommissioned officer in charge, discuss the changes to be made to the cargo area of Building 5500 here. With the help of the Vandenberg's Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century team of experts, the 30th LRS will receive a month-long makeover to increase the overall efficiency of the cargo area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Steve Bauer)

Airman climbs new heights

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With great care, Airman 1st Class Nathanael Roberts, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron electrician, climbs a new utility pole here to detach the rope used to install the pole. The 100-foot new utility pole is approximately 15 feet taller than the older utility pole. The added height allows future Atlas V rockets to be transported to Space Launch Complex-3 here vertically. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)