Vandenberg NCOs join Armed Forces Inaugural Committee

WASHINGTON -- Staff Sgt. Mark Cornejo attends an all-hands meeting Fort McNair, D.C., May 21, 2008. Staff Sgt. Cornejo is a member of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee preparing for the 56th Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kathrine McDowell)

Combat Bocce Ball

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., -- Capt. Richard Maze throws his bocce ball during a combat bocce ball tournament at the 392nd training squadron.The combat bocce ball tournament is a low-impact, high smack-talk morale booster. Having events that raise morale is vitally important to keep up the efficiency and productivity of todays combat Airman. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Prost)

Just one more!

Three 30th Security Forces Squadron Airmen won their individual weight classes at the United States Powerlifting Federation Military National Powerlifting Competition May 3 in San Diego. Tech. Sgt. Rudy Garcia lifted in the 149-165lbs Open Men's Division. He took 1st place with a bench of 336lbs--more than double his body weight! Staff Sgt. Sean Yargus lifted in the 182-198lbs Open Men's Division. He took 1st place with a bench of 325lbs--a personal best in competition. Senior Master Sgt. Fred Sheffield lifted in the 276-308lbs Men's Master Division (over 40 yrs old). He took 1st place with a bench of 435lbs and was awarded the "Best Lifter" in the Masters Division. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamie Lessard)

Just one more!

Staff Sgt. Sean Yargus does squats as Tech. Sgt. Rudy Garcia spots hime while they train at the base fitness center. Both Airman are in the 30th Security Forces Squadron and won their weight class at the United States Powerlifting Federation Military National Powerlifting Competition May 3 in San Diego. Senior Master Sgt. Fred Sheffield, also with the 30th SFS, also participated and won in his division. Sergeant Yargus lifted in the 182-198lbs Open Men's Division. He took 1st place with a bench of 325lbs--a personal best in competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamie Lessard)

Police Week BBQ

Lt. Col. Patrick Donely, 30th Security Forces Squadron commander, is "arrested" by Hawkman and thrown into a mock jail during the Vandenberg Police Week BBQ Friday at Cocheo Park. The day started with a parade and included a BBQ and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicole Roberts)

Police Week BBQ

Members of the 30th Security Forces Squadron "arrest" Sammy the Services Squirrel before placing him in a mock Jail during the Police WeekBBQ Friday at Cocheo Park. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Olds)

Police Week

Staff Sgt. Kevin Doak, a resource protection program manager with the 30th Security Forces Squadron, fingerprints a child during the Police Week BBQ Friday at Cocheo Park. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Hero recognized by American Legion

Purple Heart Medal recipient Senior Airman Michael Brady was honored Friday night in San Francisco as part of American Legion Post 911's California American Hero award ceremony. He, along with other servicemembers, fireman, police officers and other early responders were presented certificates honoring their individual heroic acts. Keynote speakers at the event included former California Governor Pet Wilson and the California National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William H. Wade II. Airman Brady earned the Purple Heart Medal after being wounded by sniper fire on patrol as a combat cameraman in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq in October 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Richard Freeland)

Fire fighters send packages to deployed Airmen

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Tech. Sgt. Blaine Barker(left) and Senior Airman Keith Armour, 30th Civil Engineering Fire Fighter Squadron, organize packages to be sent out to deployed Airmen here recently. Fire fighters here gathered items to make care packages to boost morale for deployed Airmen in their squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Airmen simulate deployment to prepare for combat situations

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Cameron Currie of the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs helps fasten a gas mask during a mock attack at the North Star exercise April 24 here. The exercise's purpose is to prepare Airmen for combat and deployed environments. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Airmen simulate deployment to prepare for combat situations

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen of the 30th Security Forces Squadron escort detainees back to base during the North Star exercise April 23 here. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Airmen simulate deployment to prepare for combat situations

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Brian Cardenas of the 30th Medical Group checks the chlorine level in the "water buffalos" for contamination during the exercise here. Checking chlorine levels in the water tanks ensures the military is meeting environmental standards. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Reading counts

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff members from the University of La Verne donated three car loads and ten thousand dollars worth of books to the base library as a gesture of support on Apr. 9. These books are in both new and used condition and cover a broad spectrum of topics including popular fiction to educational materials such as international marketing. This donation will help to provide the patrons of the Vandenberg community with more to choose from at the library. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Guardian Challenge Prep

Members of the 30th Security Forces Squadron Guardian Challeng Team practice some of the events they may expect to endure during their portion of the competition. The events include various weapons and field training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Guardian Challenge Prep

Members of the 30th Security Forces Squadron Guardian Challeng Team practice some of the events they may expect to endure during their portion of the competition. The events include various weapons and field training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Fire! Fire! Fire!

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Marty Silva, a fire fighter with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., teaches children at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Club to crawl under smoke during a simulated fire on April 3. The VAFB fire department is involved with the local community to educate citizens to be more conscience of fire hazards and the importance of having a household fire safety plan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Fire! Fire! Fire!

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Jim McLean, a fire fighter with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., hands out educational material to children at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Club after speaking about kitchen fire safety on April 3. The VAFB fire department is involved with the local community to educate citizens to be more conscience of fire hazards and the importance of having a household fire safety plan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Fire! Fire! Fire!

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Jim McLean, a fire fighter with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., shows a plastic cutting board that melted with a stove top to children at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Club after speaking about kitchen fire safety on April 3. The VAFB fire department is involved with the local community to educate citizens to be more conscience of fire hazards and the importance of having a household fire safety plan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Fire! Fire! Fire!

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Marty Silva, a fire fighter with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., teaches children at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Club to remain calm and to create a emergency meeting place with their parents on April 3. The VAFB fire department is involved with the local community to educate citizens to be more conscience of fire hazards and the importance of having a household fire safety plan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Fire! Fire! Fire!

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Marty Silva and Master Sgt. Clemente Marrero, fire fighters with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., teach children at the Lompoc Boys and Girls Club the characteristics of fire and smoke on April 3. The VAFB fire department is involved with the local community to educate citizens to be more conscience of fire hazards and the importance of having a household fire safety plan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Airmen Participate in 11th Annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center Candlelight Vigil

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Airmen and civilian volunteers take a 1 mile walk to remember sexual assault survivors during the 11th annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center candlelight vigil on April 1. The vigil is to honor the survivors of sexual assault and to prevent future assaults through awareness. The North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center was established in 1974 and has been providing care to Vandenberg ever since. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Airmen Participate in 11th Annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center Candlelight Vigil

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran, a combat photographer with the 30th Space Wing in Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., is applauded after reading his speech about volunteering during the 11th annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center candlelight vigil on April 1. The vigil is to honor the survivors of sexual assault and to prevent future assaults through awareness. The North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center was established in 1974 and has been providing care to Vandenberg ever since. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Airmen Participate in 11th Annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center Candlelight Vigil

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Airmen and civilian volunteers take a 1 mile walk to remember sexual assault survivors during the 11th annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center candlelight vigil on April 1. The vigil is to honor the survivors of sexual assault and to prevent future assaults through awareness. The North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center was established in 1974 and has been providing care to Vandenberg ever since. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Airmen Participate in 11th Annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center Candlelight Vigil

LOMPOC, Calif. -- Airmen and civilian volunteers take a 1 mile walk to remember sexual assault survivors during the 11th annual North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center candlelight vigil on April 1. The vigil is to honor the survivors of sexual assault and to prevent future assaults through awareness. The North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center was established in 1974 and has been providing care to Vandenberg ever since. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)