Veteran Tours the Base

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Richard Thackston visits the P-40 display here on Nov. 30. Mr. Thackton was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in World War II, and flew more than 30 missions over Europe. During his visit to Vandenberg, he received a U.S. presidential letter of appreciation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Reed)

Veteran Tours The Base

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Richard Thackston recognizes names of Medal of Honor recipients at the Missile Heritage memorial here on Nov. 30. Mr. Thackton was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in World War II, and flew more than 30 missions over Europe. He visitied Vandenberg to receive a U.S. presidential letter of appreciation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Reed)

North Star prepares Airmen for deployment

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgts. Jaylynd Brown and Dan Merrill (right), of the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, scan the area from a bunker during North Star on Dec. 13. North Star trains Airmen for real world deployed situations. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Christopher Hubenthal)

North Star prepares Airmen for deployment

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Airman of the 30th Space Wing takes cover and scans his sectors of fire during the North Star exercise on Dec. 13. The exercise prepares and trains Airmen for a possible deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Ashley Reed)

Dressler Memorial Ceremony

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Robert Hatch, president and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor and Convention Bureau, unveils the Shawn Dressler Plaque on December 7. The plaque is a new addition to the Freedom Monument, honoring Shawn Dressler of the U. S. Army. Sgt. Dressler lost his life serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on June 2. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cole Presley)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen carry a flag being presented to Col. Benjamin Huff during a retreat ceremony at the headquarters building on Oct. 25. 30th Mission Support Group Airmen supported the time honored open ranks inspection. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Airmen of all ranks are required to have all uniform items ready to wear at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen lower the flag during a retreat ceremony at the headquarters building on Oct. 25. 30th Mission Support Group Airmen supported the time honored open ranks inspection. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Airmen of all ranks are required to have all uniform items ready to wear at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Michael Mrozovich, a logistic planner with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, stands in formation during a retreat ceremony at the headquarters building on Oct. 25. 30th Mission Support Group Airmen supported the time honored open ranks inspection. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Airmen of all ranks are required to have all uniform items ready to wear at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Maj. William Archer and Airmen stand at parade rest during a retreat ceremony at the headquarters building on Oct. 25. Maj. Archer is a operations officer with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron. 30th Mission Support Group Airmen supported the time honored open ranks inspection. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Airmen of all ranks are required to have all uniform items ready to wear at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen from the 30th Security Forces Squadron stand at parade rest during a retreat ceremony at the headquarters building on Oct. 25. 30th Mission Support Group Airmen supported the time honored open ranks inspection. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Airmen of all ranks are required to have all uniform items ready to wear at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Benjamin Huff, 30th Mission Support Group Commander, conducts an open ranks inspection prior to a retreat ceremony on Oct. 25. 30th Mission Support Group Airmen supported the time honored open ranks inspection. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Airmen of all ranks are required to have all uniform items ready to wear at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. Ernest Guerena, a superintendent with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, holds the squadron guide-on during a retreat ceremony at the headquarters building on Oct. 25. 30th Mission Support Group Airmen supported the time honored open ranks inspection. Air Force Instruction 36-2903 directs the wear of uniforms, insignias, awards and decorations. Airmen of all ranks are required to have all uniform items ready to wear at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Hear ye!

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Master Sgt. Greg Day, a instructor from the First Sergeant Academy located at Maxwell AFB, Ala., gives an inspections and searches briefing to students attending an additional duty first sergeant symposium on Nov. 16. Sergeant Day is a first sergeant and has been an instructor at the academy for two years. Students from many bases attended the week long course on behalf of the first sergeants council at Vandenberg to prepare them for additional duty first sergeant responsibilities, and ultimately their role as an enlisted leader. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

pearls of wisdom

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Master Sgt. Greg Day, a instructor from the First Sergeant Academy located at Maxwell AFB, Ala., gives an inspections and searches briefing to students attending an additional duty first sergeant symposium on Nov. 16. Sergeant Day is a first sergeant and has been an instructor at the academy for two years. Students from many bases attended the week long course on behalf of the first sergeants council at Vandenberg to prepare them for additional duty first sergeant responsibilities, and ultimately their role as an enlisted leader. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Combat Airmen Course

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- During practice searches and takedowns, cadre instruct Airmen on proper procedures during Combat Airman Training in Cocheo Park on Nov. 28. Combat Airmen Training was created to help Airmen become more effective warriors during the Air Force's transition toward both an air and ground force. Airmen support other military branches on ground assaults against terrorists the world over, which makes additional training an invaluable asset. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Combat Airmen Course

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Kevin Graves, a firefighter with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, scans the area for "hostiles" during Combat Airmen Training in Cocheo Park on Nov. 28. Combat Airmen Training was created to help Airmen become more effective warriors during the Air Force's transition toward both an air and ground force. Airmen support other military branches on ground assaults against terrorists the world over, which makes additional training an invaluable asset. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Combat Airmen Course

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Chanelle Jones, an information manager with the 30th Services Division, scans the area for "hostiles" during Combat Airmen Training in Cocheo Park on Nov. 28. Combat Airmen Training was created to help Airmen become more effective warriors during the Air Force's transition toward both an air and ground force. Airmen support other military branches on ground assaults against terrorists the world over, which makes additional training an invaluable asset. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Combat Airmen Course

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Kevin Graves, a firefighter with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, high-crawls 100 yards during Combat Airmen Training in Cocheo Park on Nov. 28. Combat Airmen training was created to help Airmen become more effective warriors during the Air Force's transition toward both an air and ground force. Airmen support other military branches on ground assaults against terrorists the world over, which makes additional training an invaluable asset. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Combat Airmen Course

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Jonathan Foster dons a helmet to prepare for team tactical movements during Combat Airmen Training on Nov. 28. The broadcaster is with the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs office. He and other Airmen participated in the training created to help Airmen become more effective warriors during the Air Force's transition toward both an air and ground force. Airmen support other military branches on ground assaults against terrorists the world over, which makes additional training an invaluable asset. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Radiology tech administers flouride treatment

MANTA, Ecuador -- Local children receive fluoride treatments from Tech. Sgt. Jason Conely in August. While Sergeant Conely's primary job is a radiology technician, he was often called to perform other tasks. (U.S. Air Force/courtesy photo)

Eagles vs. Chiefs Volleyball Game

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chief Master Sgt. Darryl Powell, 614th Air and Space Operations Center, volleys the ball back to the Eagle's side of the court during an Eagles vs. Chiefs Volleyball game in the Vandenberg Fitness Center Nov. 6. This is the first Eagles vs. Chiefs game of its kind since Col. Steve Tanous took command of the 30th Space Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cole Presley)

Eagles vs. Chiefs Volleyball Game

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif, -- Members of the Eagles try to block a spike from the Chiefs during an Eagles vs. Chiefs Volleyball game in the Vandenberg Fitness Center Nov. 6. This is the first Eagles vs. Chiefs game of its kind since Col. Steve Tanous took command of the 30th Space Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cole Presley)

EOD prepares for FBI post-blast investigator training

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Steve Hennigan and Steven Johnson conceal a secondary explosive device with dirt prior the detonation of 500 pounds of explosives used to demolish an ambulance during Federal Bureau of Investigations post-blast investigator training on Nov. 6. Mr. Hennigan is with the Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Squad and Mr. Johnson is with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bomb Squad. Federal, state and local law enforcement officers involved in bomb crime-scene investigations participate in this one-week course which places an emphasis on the identification and collection of fragmented and mutilated bomb components. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

EOD prepares for FBI post-blast investigator training

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Ron Capra, with the Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Squad, conceals a secondary explosive device with dirt prior the detonation of 500 pounds of explosives used to demolish an ambulance during Federal Bureau of Investigations post-blast investigator training on Nov. 6. Federal, state and local law enforcement officers involved in bomb crime-scene investigations participate in this one-week course which places an emphasis on the identification and collection of fragmented and mutilated bomb components. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)