High elevation, high voltage

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Steve Groves and Staff Sgt. Sean Mackey, both 30th Civil Engineer Squadron high voltage linemen, raise and install a high voltage cable on a utility pole April 9 on Vandenberg's South base. 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)

Preparing for Atlas V

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Sean Mackey, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron electrician, reaches out to tighten a cable here to minimize future maintenance April 9 on Vandenberg's South Base. 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)

Military child leads by example

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Jared Coen, a first-grade student at Crestview Elementary School, takes the lead as his classmates count along with him the numbers ranging one to 100 before the beginning of the class day here April 9. Jared is involved in the local community, excelling in school and innovating new ways to recycle in his household. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Steve Bauer)

Assumption of command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Janice Wallace receives the 30th Medical Group guidon from Col. David Buck, 30th Space Wing commander, as she assumes command of the group March 30 at a ceremony at the Pacific Coast Club here. Colonel Wallace arrived at Vandenberg after being the deputy commander of the 45th Medical group at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.(Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Antionette Lyons)

Combat Arms

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- A skilled marksman, Senior Airman Shawn McDonald, a 30th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, advises site correction April 2 during the M4 Rifle training at the firing range here. The 30th SFS Combat Arms Training and Maintenance team trains hundreds of Vandenberg Airmen in a variety of weapons for deployment and recurring qualification. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Combat Arms

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Staff Sgt. Wendy Jones, a 30th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, helps a security forces Airman "zero-in" his M4 Rifle April 2 during training at the firing range here. The 30th SFS Combat Arms Training and Maintenance team trains hundreds of Vandenberg Airmen in a variety of weapons for deployment and recurring qualification. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

CATM instructors prepare for qualification course change

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Seven 30th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors are currently being trained to administer a new Rifle Carbine Air Force Qualification Course to all Airmen who are slated for deployment or permanent change of station assignments. The new course, which is scheduled to be implemented Air Force-wide Dec. 1, will contain both basic firing positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, standing) and advanced tactical movements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Combat Arms

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Targets prepared, Airmen of the 30th Security Forces Squadron move down range to post them during M4 Rifle Training April 2 at the firing range here. The 30th SFS Combat Arms Training and Maintenance team trains hundreds of Vandenberg Airmen in a variety of weapons for deployment and recurring qualification. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Shoes to Share

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Master Sgt. Tracy Tolliver, the 30th Force Support Squadron first sergeant, along with Master Sgt. Paul Barker, a first sergeant from the 30th Medical Group, unload boxes full of shoes in support of the Shoes to Share program April 2. The shoes are sent to villagers and students residing in the Hwange region of Zimbabwe. Approximately 50 boxes were donated by Vandenberg’s local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

In memoriam

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman David Rendon, a member of the 30th Security Forces Squadron, shares his research paper on former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Paul Airey at the Airman Leadership School graduation ceremony here March 31. Enlisted heritage is a topic all students research as part of class curriculum. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria)

Water rescue at Wall Beach

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg firefighters find a place to launch a personal water craft into the Pacific at Wall Beach here for water rescue training March 31. Four firefighters from the water rescue team spent the day familiarizing themselves with the currents and tides of Vandenberg's beaches. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Water rescue at Wall Beach

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Ensuring a safe training environment, Marissa Halbeisen, a Vandenberg firefighter, takes a moment to properly secure her life preserver March 31 at Wall Beach here. The fire department's water rescue team conducted hands-on training, which consisted of a mock rescue to allow the firefighters to familiarize themselves with the coastline. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

AIAA presents plaque

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Sebastian Coglitore and Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Bob Kelchner have a photo taken to commemorate the ceremony in which the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics honored Vandenberg for its contributions to space. General Coglitore was the 30th Space Wing's first commander. (Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Wesley Carter)

AIAA presents plaque

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bob Dickman and Col. David Buck, the 30th Space Wing commander, unveil a plaque presented to Vandenberg by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for its contributions to space. (Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Wesley Carter)

Fit-to-fight

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Vandenberg starts its morning with this month's Fit-to-Fight Run at the parade grounds here March 30. Every month, Airmen from the 30th Space Wing gather for a 3-mile run to promote healthy living, esprit de corps and the fit-to-fight mission of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

Physician performs ear exam

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Lt. Col. Tim Paulding, a 30th Medical Group physician, performs a routine ear exam here March 25. Colonel Paulding is board certified in family practice, aerospace medicine and preventive medicine. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Chief touches on cyber and space threats

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Narofsky, from the United States Strategic Command, briefs military personnel here about cyber and space threats during a Senior Enlisted Leaders Training Conference here March 24. The conference was conducted to provide senior leadership with information about Department of Defense space programs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Airmen host pajama-drive

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Airmen attending technical training at the 381st Training Squadron participated in the Pajama Program here March 9-20. The Pajama Program is a charity in support of children who have been abused and abandoned by providing the children with pajamas and books. In support of the Pajama Program the Airmen held a pajama-drive at the 381st TRS dormitory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Steve Bauer)

Colonel trys sobering simulator

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chris Geysleek, a Save-A-Life Tour speaker, instructs Col. David Buck, the 30th Space Wing commander, how to drive a simulator during a presentation here March 18. The Save-A-Life Tour travels around the United States informing young adults about the hazards of drinking and driving. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Dining at Breakers

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Ezequiel Madngal, a cook at Breakers Dining Facility, prepares a meal March 18. The facility is responsible for providing the nutrition Airmen need to perform their duties by being both healthy and affordable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Dining at Breakers

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Diana Grice, a lead cook at Breakers Dining Facility, places cheese on a pizza March 18. The facility is responsible for providing the nutrition Airmen need to perform their duties by being both healthy and affordable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Dining at Breakers

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Betty Conley, a lead cook at Breakers Dining Facility, moves baked chicken using a utensil March 18. The facility is responsible for providing the nutrition Airmen need to perform their duties by being both healthy and affordable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Dining at Breakers

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Diana Grice, a lead cook at Breakers Dining Facility, slices oranges to use in a recipe March 18. The facility is responsible for providing the nutrition Airmen need to perform their duties by being both healthy and affordable. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)

Patriot Voices

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Patriot Voices sing the National Anthem during a 30th Space Communications promotion ceremony at Bldg 12000 Feb. 27. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Thomas)