Steady!

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lockheed Martin personnel prepare to bolt in a caster to the Defense Meteorological Satellites Program satellite crate before being uncovered, here on Dec. 14. The DMSP satellite monitors solar-terrestrial physics and provides photographic reconnaissance and surveillance for the U.S. Department of Defense. It's a valuable tool in scheduling and protecting military operations in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Tyler)

Veteran Tours the Base

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Richard Thackston receives a U.S. predsidential letter of appreciation in the Pacific Coast Club on Nov. 30. Mr. Thackton was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in World War II, and flew more than 30 missions over Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Reed)

Veteran Tours the Base

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Richard Thackston receives a U.S. predsidential letter of appreciation in the Pacific Coast Club on Nov. 30. Mr. Thackton was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in World War II, and flew more than 30 missions over Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Reed)

North Star prepares Airmen for deployment

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Jennifer Asher of the 30th Medical Group reviews notes to prepare for a mock attack 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. -- Staff Sgt. Dan Merrill, 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, looks out of his defensive checkpoint during North Star on Dec. 13. Vandenberg Airmen participated in this three-day exercise to practice expeditionary techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Olds)

Ceremony,monument honor fallen Santa Maria soldier

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- A Santa Maria Valley veterans monument for the fallen Servicemen during the War on Terrorism is unveiled with a new plaque that is dedicated to Shawn Dressler on December 7. (U.S Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Stephanie Longoria)

30th Mission Support Group Open Ranks and Retreat Ceremony

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Rinaldo Soloranzo, an auto body repairman with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, performs a flag folding ceremony 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. -- Maj. William Archer, a operations officer with the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, stands 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. -- 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. -- 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)