MISSILE DEFENSE EXERCISE

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- A Missile Defense Agency (MDA) interceptor missile is successfully launched on Dec. 5, at 12:21 p.m. from North Vandenberg. The launch was part of an exercise and flight test involving the intercept of an intercontinental ballistic missile by a ground-based interceptor missile designed to protect the United States against a limited long-range ballistic missile attack. (U.S Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Vandenberg at a glance

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif -- Two T-38 jets from Beale Air Force Base refuel at Vandenberg's flight line. The two jets brought visitors to Vandenberg for official business. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Heather Shaw)

Vandenberg firefighters conduct controlled burn

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Firefighters from the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron perform a controlled burn to help enlarge the habitat for an endangered species of Western Snowy Plovers here Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Vandenberg firefighters controlled burn

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Firefighters from 30th Civil EngineeR Squadron watch the direction of the fire during a controlled burn to help enlarge the habitat for an endangered species of Western Snowy Plovers here Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Vandenberg firefighters conduct controlled burn

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Firefighters from the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron watch the direction of a controlled burn to help enlarge the habitat for an endangered species of Western Snowy Plovers here Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Vandenberg firefighters conduct controlled burn

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Firefighters from the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron watch for wind direction during a controlled burn to help enlarge the habitat for an endangered species of Western Snowy Plovers here Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Vandenberg firefighters conduct controlled burn

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A firefighter from the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron lights European beach grass on fire during a controlled burn to help enlarge the habitat for an endangered species of Western Snowy Plovers here Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Surface cargo produces sharp Airmen

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calf, -- Airman Ieashia Burr, a traffic management apprentice with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, uses a table saw to create pieces of woodworking used in the construction of crates Oct. 31. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Steve Bauer)

Mount up

VANDNEBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Micheal Gigliotti, 30th Logistic Readiness Squadron, drills a hole to mount a support bracket for an airline handle on Oct. 29. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Nicole Roberts)

Motorin'

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Larry Phipps, an Orbital Science Corporations employee, works on the Stage 3 piece of a motor for a Flight Test Missile 6 at the Orbital Missile Assembly Building on Oct. 28. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

river move

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Surveying leading up to the San Antonio Creek restoration project discovered an archeological site in the area. This gave a unique opportunity for the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron archeological and heavy equipment teams to work together. (Courtesy photo)

Pillar Point

PILLAR POINT, Calif.-- A Volunteer works to remove invasive vegetaion at Vandenberg's most northern site on Oct. 28. The project was headed by the 30th Civil Engineering Squadron to help maintain the environment. (Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

Vandenberg at a glance Oct. 30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Sandra Marquez instructs Duane Purser on how to use the weight equipment in the base gym at the Introduction to Weights course. (U.S. photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Vandenberg at a glance Oct. 30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- The Vandenberg Honor Guard posts the colors during the Italian Cosmo-SkyMed post-launch reception at Pacific Coast Club Oct. 24.(U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Physician Assistant

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Capt. Justin Kandle, a 30th Medical Operation Squadron physician assistant, performs a routine checkup on a patient at the medical clinic here. Captain Kandle, like all Air Force physician assistant, took advantage of the Air Force Physician Assistant Program as an enlisted member. The program is currently taking applications until Jan. 25. (Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Wesley Carter)

Pegasus

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif-- An Orbital Science aircraft awaits final checks prior to take off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base flight line. The aircraft took off carrying a Pegasus rocket, here October 11. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ by Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Nothing but the tooth

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Don Faustino, a dental assistant with the 30th Medical Operations Squadron, does dental work on patient Tech. Sgt. Olivia Cruz from the 533rd Training Squadron in the dental lab here Sept. 25. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Got good taste

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Chanel Little, who works in the 30th Medical Support Squadron, drops new medicine flavors into another liquid medicine here Sept. 26. The new flavors help get rid of the bad taste in medicines. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Pool closure leads to major renovation project

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif-- A contractor rips the drainage system open on the base pool here Oct. 6. Renovations are updating the system saving the Air Force an estimated $70,000 dollars per year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Flight engineers safe base through training

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen with the 30th Medical Operations Squadron's bioenvironmental engineering element test a sample of a suspicious powder during a training exercise here recently. The element conducts weekly training, but plays out a more in-depth scenario quarterly. (Courtesy photo)

Vandenberg hard at work during ORI

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif-- Airmen with the Vandenberg Search and Recovery Team search for remains after a simulated C-17 crash Sept. 17 here. The Operational Readiness Inspection team inspects Airmen performing their jobs and skills necessary to accomplish tasks during real world events. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Vandenberg hard at work during ORI

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Jeremy Winchester of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron readies a hose during an exercise at Breakers Dining Facility here Sept. 18. The exercise involved a water main break at the dining facility. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

ADC here to represent Airmen who need help

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Capt. Jason Largey, Area Defense Council, hands papers to Senior Airman Shaun Bustillos, defense paralegal for the Area Defense Council, in the Courtroom in Bldg 10577 on Friday. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Olds)

Making history: One woman's journey in WAF

KELLY AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Basic Trainee Patricia Rahe was one of the first women to join the Women in the Air Force in 1948. Now Mrs. Patricia Ono, she recently took time to speak with Airmen at Vandenberg's Cultural Heritage Day festival. (Courtesy photo)