Holiday eats series

(Courtesy photo) MAPLE-ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

Fire team stands up to childhood leukemia

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.—Robert Raffel, a Vandenberg Fire Department firefighter gets his head shaved in honor of his nephew, Ryan, here Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. Ryan was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year and is currently being treated at Walter Reed National Medical Center, District of Columbia. (Courtesy photo)

Fire team stands up to cancer

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Members from the Vandenberg Fire Department pose with their heads shaved here Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. A total of 26 firefighters shaved their heads in honor of Ryan Raffel, the 5-year-old nephew of Vandenberg Fire Department firefighter Robert Raffel, who was diagnosed with Leukemia earlier this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Scottie McCord)

Fire team stands up to cancer

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Vandenberg Engine 2 captain John Markley, gets his head shaved by a Vandenberg fire rescue truck captain, Emanuel Villegas, while members from the Vandenberg Fire Department watch Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. Members shaved their heads in honor of Ryan Raffel, the 5-year-old nephew of Vandenberg Fire Department firefighter Robert Raffel, who was diagnosed with Leukemia earlier this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Scottie McCord)

Preparing to send the holidays overseas

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.—Donated items are available from the Airman and Family Readiness Center to anyone with base access to provide some holiday cheer to members overseas. The center provides this service during regular duty hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jennifer Green-Lanchoney)

Preparing to send the holidays overseas

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Toiletries, games and snacks are available from the Airman and Family Readiness Center to anyone with base access for care packages to be sent overseas. The center provides this service during regular duty hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jennifer Green-Lanchoney)

Update to Crestview traffic changes

VANDENBER AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lana Masters, Tess Davis, Darlene Kirksy and Trish Wallace, Crestview Elementary School crossing guards, get ready for the start of the new school year Monday, Aug. 22, 2011 Drivers are urged to observe posted speed limit signs and watch for children who are on their way to and from school. (US Air Force photo/Jennifer Green-Lanchoney)

Changes made to Crestview drop-off plan

As the start of the school year draws near, base agencies have come together to make changes to Crestview Elementary School’s drop-off and pick-up procedure which will be in effect on the first day of school.

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.

Willy and Judge, of the 30th Security Forces working horse unit, are retired by Lt. Col. Michelle Stringer, the 30th SFS commander, during a ceremony at Missile V here Monday, March 14, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st. Lt. Ann Blodzinski)

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.

Military Working Horses Judge and Willie retired March 14, 2011 here. Vandenberg is currently the only Air Force base with Military Working Horses. The horses are used for patrolling, search and rescue, crowd control and surveillance. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st. Lt. Ann Blodzinski)

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.

Willy and Judge, of the 30th Security Forces working horse unit, are retired by Lt. Col. Michelle Stringer, the 30th SFS commander, during a ceremony at Missile V here Monday, March 14, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.

Col. Richard Boltz, the 30th Space Wing commander, meets military working horse Willy and his handler Staff Sgt. Andrea Lewis, of the 30th Security Forces Squadron, during his retirement ceremony at Missile V here Monday, March 14, 2011. Military working horses Willy and Judge retire after a combined 35 years in military service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Lael Huss)

X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle lands at Vandenberg AFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Personnel in self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble suits conduct initial checks on the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 1 (OTV-1), the U.S. Air Force's first unmanned re-entry spacecraft, after its landing here on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. The X-37B OTV-1 conducted on-orbit experiments for more than 220 days during its maiden voyage. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Michael Stonecypher)

X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle lands at Vandenberg AFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Personnel in self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble suits conduct initial checks on the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 1 (OTV-1), the U.S. Air Force's first unmanned re-entry spacecraft, after its landing here on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. The X-37B OTV-1 conducted on-orbit experiments for more than 220 days during its maiden voyage. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Michael Stonecypher)

Fight for your life

CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Matthew Belmer and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Rivera, from the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, use techniques learned from the Modern Army Combatives Program while practicing drills their moves here Thursday, April 22, 2010. The MACP training is a combination of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and standard combat skills. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Heather R. Shaw)

Fight for your life

CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Senior Airman Justin Egan, from the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron uses strategies learned during the Modern Army Combatives Program training in an attempt to overcome his opponent Spc. Anthony Michaelson here Thursday, April 22, 2010. The MACP training is a combination of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and standard combat skills. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Heather R. Shaw)

Airman Leadership School Graduation Class 10-C

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. Frank Barbe gives a speech during the most recent Airman Leadership School graduation here Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Chief Barbe spoke about the importance of being a good supervisor and making the right decisions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Reed)

Airman Leadership School Graduation Class 10-C

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Rachel Turner presents the traditional volleyball to Master Sgt. Andrew Colsch, both of the 30th Logistics Readiness squadron, here Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Each Airman Leadership School class plays a game of volleyball against Vandenberg first sergeants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley Reed)

Unit Focus: 30th MDOS Public Health

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Reeling in the water sampling net and canister, Airman 1st Class Megan Necessary of the 30th Medical Operations Squadron Public Health office prepares for a second try at casting the net out to sample ocean water here Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Due to the complications of air bubbles making the equipment float to the surface, many attempts may be needed to get the canister to the necessary depth of 10 feet in order to get adequate samples. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Angelina Drake)

Unit Focus: 30th MDOS Public Health

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Casting out the water sampling net and canister, Airman 1st Class Megan Necessary of the 30th Medical Operations Squadron Public Health office gathers ocean water for testing near the Boat House here Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. Public health personnel ensure the safety of Vandenberg’s beaches by having the water’s phytoplankton tested for toxic chemicals and “red tide.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Angelina Drake)

Unit Focus: 30th MDOS Public Health

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Prepping a patient, Senior Airman Caitlin Gaudet of the 30th Medical Operations Squadron Public Health office readies the otoscope, as well as prepares the patient for the uncomfortable feeling of medical equipment in the ear here Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. The lighted ear exam is conducted before a hearing exam to ensure no obstructions exist in the auditory canal that would inhibit the listener from passing the exam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Angelina Drake)

Unit Focus: 30th MDOS Public Health

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inspecting the auditory canal, Senior Airman Caitlin Gaudet of the 30th Medical Operations Squadron Public Health office uses the otoscope to search the ear canal of a patient here Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. The lighted ear exam is conducted before a hearing exam to ensure no obstructions exist in the auditory canal that would inhibit the listener from passing the exam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Angelina Drake)

Santa visits Vandenberg homes

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - To give a couple of children some early Christmas cheer, Santa and his head elf surprise the household of Tech. Sgt. Nancy Anzara, of the 533rd Training Squadron, and husband Kenneth Anzara here Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2009. The Santa visits were planned with the parents of each household to surprise the kids of the house with early Christmas presents provided by the parents. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Rush hour

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Traffic backs up at the Lompoc Gate here during the 7 a.m. morning commute. Team Vandenberg is reminded that, with construction on California Boulevard from the Santa Maria Gate, traffic backups may continue to occur. Those people commuting onto the base should consider also using the Solvang and Utah gates. Off-base residents are also reminded to leave their homes earlier for the morning commute. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)