Success

Col. Joesph Anderson, flight surgeon, steps back into the Bell UH-1N Iroquois on July 8 after collaborating with the San Francisco County sheriff's department and emergency medical personnel during a rescue mission. Colonel Anderson and three other Vandenberg Airmen rescued a hiker who had fallen off a trail in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Sean Roehrs)

Fly boys

A 4-person aircrew, consisting of Col. Joseph Anderson, flight surgeon; Capt. Sean Roehrs, the aircraft commander; 1st Lt. Devin Sperling, the co-pilot; and Airman 1st Class Erik McCarrick, flight engineer, lands in a Bell HU-1N Iroquois at San Francisco International Airport on July 8 to refuel during a rescue mission at Golden Gate National Recreation Area. These Vandenberg Airmen rescued a hiker who had fallen off a trail in the recreation area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Sean Roehrs)

Polish senators visit Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg officials host three senators of the Republic of Poland who visited the base on June 29 as part of the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Robert Lewis)

Junior Enlisted Breakfast

Colonel Stephen Tanous, 30th Space Wing Commander, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Cari Kent speak with Airmen during a junior enlisted breakfast at Breakers Dining Facility, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, June 28, 2007. The Airmen were given the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask questions. This was Command Chief Master Sergeant Cari Kent's first junior enlisted breakfast since arriving Vandenberg AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Christian Thomas) (Released)

Firefighter Heroism Award

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Charles Brooks, a firefighter with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron, is a recipeint of the Fire and Emergency Services Firefighter Heroism Award for the Department of Defense. The Heroism Award is for outstanding firefighter performance that goes above and beyond the call of duty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas)

Fire broaches base housing

Vandenberg firefighters survey the fire that swept through base housing in the evening June 27, and continued to burn into the morning. Four houses were evacuated and more than 10 acres burned in a brush fire behind base housing near Laurel Street and Korina Street. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Corenthia Fennell)

30th Operations Group changes command

Col. Andre Lovett gives his first speech as the 30th Operations Group commander to more than 100 people during the change of command ceremony at the 76th Helicopter Squadron hangar June 22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Johnathan Olds)

30th Operations Group changes command

30th Space Wing Commander Col. Stephen Tanous gives command of the 30th Operations Group to Col. Andre Lovett during a change of command ceremony at the 76th Helicopter Squadron hangar June 22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Johnathan Olds)

Airborne laser balloon launched

The 30th Weather Squadron releases a helium filled balloon ring attached to a synoptic weather balloon, June 14. The balloon ring is equiped with antenna transmitters that measure atmospheric turbulence. The readings will help support the Airborne Laser Weapon System, which is still in the development stages. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Plew)

Airborne laser balloon launched

Mike Schmeiser, Systems Director for the 30th Weather Squadron takes one last walk around to ensure everything is in order for launch, while Frank Eaton, Alistair Black, and Dr. Demos Kyrazis make final preperations on a helium filled balloon ring before it's launched with a weather balloon, June 14. The balloon ring is equiped with antenna transmitters that measure atmospheric turbulence. The readings will help support the Airborne Laser Weapon System, which is still in the development stages. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Plew)

Airborne laser balloon launched

Dr. Demos Kyrazis, Mike Schmeiser, and Frank Eaton look on as Alistair Black releases a helium filled balloon ring with a weather balloon, June 14. The balloon ring is equiped with antenna transmitters that measure atmospheric turbulence. The readings will help support the Airborne Laser Weapon System, which is still in the development stages. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matthew Plew)

Command post: commander’s eyes and ears on call 24/7

The 30th Space Wing Command Post, led by Lt. Col. Pell Thompson, is the wing commander's operations center. Command post controllers serve in Vandenberg's crisis response and management, and they deploy to support operations around the world. The command post is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to fully support the needs of 14th Air Force, the 30th Space Wing and Vandenberg Air Force Base.