Order up

Ezequiel Madrigal, a 30th Services Division lead cook, serves food at Breakers Dining Facility on Vandenberg AFB. The 30th Services Division was awarded the 2007 John L. Hennessy Award for best food service in Air Force Space Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Adam Guy)

Just right

Cheri Rodriguez, a 30th Services Division lead cook, weighs watermelon at Breakers Dining Facility on Vandenberg AFB. Weighing food ensures overserving and excessive food costs are reduced. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Adam Guy)

Weather checks

Tech. Sgt. John David Gasa, 30th Weather Squadron, reviews data from one of the many displays in the 30th WS Weather Operations Center. The WOC is a 24-hour operation, monitoring Vandenberg's weather with its 279 weather sensors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy)

Final checks

Tech Sgt. John David Gasa, 30th Weather Squadron, runs down checklists during mock launch preparations. The weather squadron uses its 279 weather sensors to determine whether launch restraints for weather have been broken or not. They will then make a recommendation to the launch commander on whether or not to launch. The launch commander has final authority for launches. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy)

Send help

Staff Sgt. Sharon Saxon, 76th Helicopter Squadron, instructs a simulated downed helicopter crew aboard a life raft Nov. 22 in Vandenberg's base pool. The life raft is used to keep crew members afloat after escaping a downed aircraft submerged in water where they would remain until rescue workers arrive. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Adam Guy)

Too much water

Col. Joseph Anderson, 30th Medical Group commander, empties water from a life raft Nov 22 at Vandenberg's basoe pool. The raft was used to prepare crew members to escape a submerged aircraft and get to the life raft until rescued. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Adam Guy)

Deep breaths

Maj. Ronald Frantz, 76th Helicopter Squadron commander, prepares to escape a mock submerged helicopter at Nov. 22 at Vandenberg's base pool. The exercise is used to prepare crew members to safely escape a submerged aircraft and assure crew member recovery afterwards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Adam Guy)

Hold your breath

1st Lt. Abbe Shafer, 76th Helicopter Squadron pilot, is flipped over in an underwater egress training chair Nov. 22 in Vandenberg's base pool. The exercise is used to simulate escaping from an underwater helicopter crash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vanessa Valentine)

Point and shoot

Airman Stephanie Longoria, 30th Space Communications Squadron, prepares to take a photograph during the "Ability To Survive and Operate" training at the North Auxillary Field, S.C., Oct. 18, 2006. The ATSO training was held by the 1st Combat Camera Squadronand is an annual exercise designed to train Airmen for real world contingencies and combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Hubenthal)

Helicopter Squadron's diverse training aids in mission success

Major Ronald Frantz, Commander of the 76th Helicopter Squadron here, surverys the ground as he flys over Vandenberg. More than 60 percent 76th HS 1273 flying hours are spent training in a year.

PT uniform deadline takes affect Sunday

Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Prost, 30th Space Communications Squadron, inspects the fit of the new Air Force PT uniform at Vandenberg Military Clothing Sales. The uniform becomes mandatory on Sunday.

Day Fire

Vandenberg Hot Shots crew members (left to right)Marissa Halbeisen, Andrew Klein and James Skiffington survey the Day Fire.

Vandenberg Airmen put eyes in the sky

Master Sgt. Timothy Griggs (left) and Senior Airman Mirandy Mazzuca, both unmanned aerial vehicle pilots with the 30th Security Forces Squadron, pilot and conduct light checks on a Raven, one of Vandenberg’s UAVs. The Raven provides security, reconnaisance, surveillance capabilities and more. (Courtesy photo)

Vandenberg Airmen put eyes in sky

Staff Sgt. Michael Johnson, 30th Security Forces Squadron, launches a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle. The plane is so light it is launched by hand. (Photo by Master Sgt. Timothy Griggs)

Weather reports

ORCUTT, Calif. -- Airmen 1st Class Eric Hanes (left) and Janina Kowalski make adjustments to the azimuth housing on the next generation weather radar located on New Love Hill here. Proper maintenance of the NEXRAD provides accurate data of the weather in the local area. Both Airmen are ground radar systems maintenance technicians assigned to the 30th Space Communications Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Haas)

Sweet victory

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- 2nd Lt. Jesse Goens takes a breath after finishing the obstacle course at Guardian Challenge here May 5. Guardian Challenge, the world's premier space and missile competition, is an annual four-day event. It tests the wartime readiness of Air Force Space Command's Airmen in spacelift, ICBM operations, communications, maintenance, helicopter operations, security forces and food preparation. Lieutenant Goens is assigned to the 90th Space Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Craig R. Cisek)