Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. John T.Sheridan, commander of the Space Missile Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, delivers a speech at the closure ceremony of Onizuka Air Force Station here, Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure.(U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. John T.Sheridan, commander of the Space Missile Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, delivers a speech at the closure ceremony of Onizuka Air Force Station here, Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure.(U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – After nearly 50 years of operations, the Air Force officially closed Onizuka Air Force Station here during a formal ceremony Wednesday, July 28, 2010.Transferring from Onizuka AFS to Vandenberg AFB is the 21st Space Operations Squadron, which will operate out of Vandenberg’s new Ellison Onizuka Satellite Operations Facility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jeremy Eggers)

Moving Forward

VANDNEBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.--Col Kelly Kirts, the 30th Mission Support Group commander, renders a salute to the five squadrons in his command during the change of command ceremony here Monday, July 26, 2010. Colonel Kirts will command 26 30th Space Wing organizations, 18 associate units, 45 contractors and more than 10,000 people. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria)

Celebrating 25 years of service

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Security forces personnel presented Col. Richard Wright, the 30th Mission Support Group commander, with a shadow box showcasing 25 years of military service at the Pacific Coast Club here Friday, July 23, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

Celebrating 25 years of service

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Gen. Kevin Chilton, U.S. Strategic Command commander, speaks with Col. Richard Wright, the 30th Mission Support Group commander, during Colonel Wright’s retirement ceremony at the Pacific Coast Club here Friday, July 23, 2010. General Chilton retired Colonel Wright after 25 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)