Learning on a curve

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - As the visitors take a spin, an Air Force recruiter mans the Extreme Equilibrium training simulator at the Thunder Over the Valley Fly-In here Aug. 29. A gut-wrenching but informative experience, Extreme Equilibrium offers people a brief glimpse into the training pilots go through. (U.S. Air Force photo by/Airman 1st Class Angelina DellaRocco-Rukavina)

Vandenberg firefighters help battle La Brea blaze

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Amber Ketchum of the 30th Space Wing documents the devastation left behind from the La Brea wildfire here Aug. 14. Vandenberg firefighters have responded to the fire in support of fire departments from California to Delaware. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

Unit Focus: 30th LCSS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Ensuring that Launch Facility 6 is mission capable, Tech. Sgt. Dave Bohlander, who is a 30th Launch Support Squadron facility manager, visually inspects an electrical circuit board for LF-6 on Aug.12 here. Sergeant Bohlander is responsible for submitting required maintenance work orders and certifying that all mission essentials are in order. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kerelin Molina)

Unit Focus: 30th LCSS

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The finance management team from the 30th Launch Support Squadron discusses the financial requirements for a system engineering contract Aug.12 here. The team goes over contract requirements, cost, scheduling and the collection of data. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kerelin Molina)

Assumption of command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Maj. Margaret Vencius, assumes command of the 798th Munitions Maintenance Group Aug.5 at the Pacific Coast Club here. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kerelin Molina)

Assumption of command

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Taking command of the 798th Munitions Maintenance Group, Maj. Margaret Vencius, receives the guidon from Col. David Milner Jr. Aug.5 at the Pacific Coast Club here.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kerelin Molina)

Firefighters fight stairs

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Fighting against the stairs, Marissa Halbeisen, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, rushes up a four-story flight of stairs during training July 29 here in preparation for the Firefighter Combat Challenge in October. This is the team’s first time competing in the championship competition. The challenge seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to public. The competitors race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life fire fighting by performing a linked series of five tasks, including climbing the five-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-size, 175-pound "victim" as they race against their opponents and the clock. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Firefighter's bag-drag

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lamont Brown, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, demonstrates a proper hoisting technique with a 42 pound bag filled with equipment to other members of his team July 29 during training for the Firefighter Combat Challenge in October. This is the team’s first time competing in the challenge as well as making the championship competition. The competition seeks to encourage the firefighter’s fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to public. The competitors race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life fire fighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the 5-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-size, 175 pounds "victim" as they race against their opponents and the clock. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Brig. Gen. Steven DePalmer

Brig. Gen. Steven DePalmer

Deployment line speeds up deployment processing

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Kalaya Irby, a 30th Force Support Squadron customer service representative, assists Airmen to ensure the accuracy of their documents in preparation for future deployments at Vandenberg’s Installation Deployment Readiness Center here July 22. Airmen of the 30th Security Forces Squadron, process through the pre-deployment line before being cleared by the base to deploy to another location. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Antoinette Lyons)

Spicing things up

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Adding a little flavor, Tech. Sgt. Jessica Soto, a pharmacy technician of the 30th Medical Support Squadron, adds a medication flavor additive to an oral medication for pediatrics here July 7. The flavor additive helps customers take medication more easily when the medication has an unwanted taste. The 30th MDSS keeps Airmen healthy and ready to deploy..(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)

SFS to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The 30th Security Forces Squadron’s Investigations Office, in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Agency, is scheduled to host a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day here Oct. 29. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Lee)