CES constructs new EOD building

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A member of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron chips concrete from a hole in the new Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight building here Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. A team consisting of members from every unit in the 30th CES came together to not only construct a building for a fellow CES unit, but to also train and prepare for future deployments. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

CES constructs new EOD building

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airman 1st Class James Thietz, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician, sizes up support beams in the new 30th CES Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight building here Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. The Cape Town, South Africa, native was part of a team consisting of members from every unit in the 30th CES coming together to not only construct a building for a fellow CES unit, but to also train and prepare for future deployments. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Unit makes waves during end of summer training

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Richard Boltz, 30th Space Wing commander, rides a watercraft during a training session with Vandenberg’s water rescue team at Wall Beach here Friday, Aug. 19, 2011. The team trains to handle a variety of incidents and safety hazards. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran)

Unit makes waves during end of summer training

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Members of Vandenberg’s water rescue team, Col. Richard Boltz, 30th Space Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Michelle Sobel, 30th SW acting command chief, pose for a photo at Wall Beach here Friday, Aug. 19, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran)

Vandenberg goes "green"

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A contractor works to install solar panels to a building on base here Monday July 11, 2011. This project marks the initial push for Vandenberg to become compliant with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which requires federal agencies to reduce energy intensity 30 percent by 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jennifer Green-Lanchoney)

Vandenberg hosts Cops for Kids event

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Chad Atchley, and Tech. Sgt. Jerome Vahalik, 30th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainers, demonstrate a takedown at Vandenberg Middle School during a National Police Week event Monday, May 16, 2011. National Police Week, which occurs annually during the week of May 15, recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jerry E. Clemens, Jr.)

Vandenberg hosts Cops for Kids event

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Tech. Sgt. Sean Yargus, a 30th Security Forces Squadron mounted horse patrolman, explains to Vandenberg Middle School students what he and his horse, Trooper, do at a National Police Week event Monday, May 16, 2011. National Police Week, which occurs annually during the week of May 15, recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jerry E. Clemens, Jr.)

Three minors injured in vehicle accident on north Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Three people were injured in a one-vehicle accident near the intersection of El Rancho and Antenna Roads on north Vandenberg at about 4 p.m Sunday, April 24, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Jerry E. Clemens Jr.)

TF Paladin holds memorial for EOD comrades who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice over past 12 months

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A Soldier pauses at a photo of one of 20 fallen servicemembers upon entering the Combined Joint Task Force Paladin 6th Annual Fallen Comrade Memorial here April 5. Friends and members of CJTF Paladin, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, honored the 20 fallen comrades who had died in combat over the past 12 months. (Photo by U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Syner, Task Force Falcon PAO)

Diablo Canyon sends boric acid to Japan from Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Tech. Sgt. William H. Charles, 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Transportation Management Office, speaks with a McCord Air Force Base C-17 Loadmaster about the loading of boric acid for shipment to Japan on Thursday, March 17, 2011. Approximately 34,000 pounds of boric acid from the Diablo Canyon Power Plant is being sent to aid in the cooling of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Complex. Boric acid is used in nuclear power plants to control the fission rate of uranium. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Jerry E. Clemens, Jr.)

Diablo Canyon sends boric acid to Japan from Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Tech. Sgt. Christopher M. Quezada and other members of the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron Transportation Management Office, prepare a pallet of boric acid for shipment to Japan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Approximately 34,000 pounds of boric acid from the Diablo Canyon Power Plant is being sent to aid in the cooling of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Complex. Boric acid is used in nuclear power plants to control the fission rate of uranium. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Jerry E. Clemens, Jr.)

AFSPC command chief visits Vandenberg

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Chief Master Sgt. Richard T. Small, the Air Force Space Command command chief, speaks with Airmen during a breakfast at the Breakers Dining Facility here Friday, Feb. 25, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Jerry E. Clemens, Jr.)

Vandenberg hosts Northstar exercise

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Wearing her mission oriented personal protection gear, Airman 1st Class Meagann Bartolome, a 30th Space Wing Judge Advocate paralegal, marks an improvised chemical warning sign during Northstar exercise conducted by the base here Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. The Northstar exercise is designed to simulate wartime deployment scenarios including live fire, mortar attacks and chemical warfare. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

Vandenberg hosts Northstar exercise

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Airman 1st Class Erik Peterson, of the 30th Security Forces Squadron, looks through the sights of his weapon during a Northstar exercise here Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. The Northstar exercise is designed to simulate wartime deployment scenarios including live fire, mortar attacks and chemical warfare. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

Vandenberg welcomes 21st SOPS, new facility

VANDENBERG AFB, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. Larry D. James, the 14th Air Force commander, Col. Wayne Monteith, the 50th Space Wing commander, Lt. Col. Robert Pavelko, 21st Space Operations commander, and Lorna Onizuka, the widow of Col. Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut who perished aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster cuts a ribbon at the Ellison Onizuka Satellite Operations Facility dedication ceremony here Friday, July 30, 2010. Onizuka Air Force Station, previously located in Sunnyvale, officially closed July 28. The 21st Space Operations Squadron transferred here as part of an effort to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure. Onizuka AFS was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005 (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Vandenberg welcomes 21st SOPS, new facility

VANDENBERG AFB, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. Larry D. James, the 14th Air Force commander, delivers a speech during the Ellison Onizuka Satellite Operations Facility dedication ceremony here Friday, July 30, 2010. Onizuka Air Force Station, previously located in Sunnyvale, officially closed July 28. The 21st Space Operations Squadron transferred here as part of an effort to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure. Onizuka AFS was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005 (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Mayor Melinda Hamilton delivers a speech during the Onizuka Air Force Station closure ceremony here July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. John T. Sheridan, commander of the Space and Missile Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Col. Wayne Monteith, the 50th Space Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Robert Pavelko, 21st Space Operations Squadron commander, present a commemorative plaque to Mayor Melinda Hamilton here, Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. John T. Sheridan, commander of the Space and Missile Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, presents Lorna Onizuka, widow of Col. Ellison Onizuka, astronaut aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, with a commemorative plaque during a closure ceremony for Onizuka Air Force Station here, Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Lorna Onizuka, widow of Col. Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut who died aboard Space Shuttle Challenger on Jan 28, 1986, delivers a speech during the Onizuka Air Force Station closing ceremony here, Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. John T.Sheridan, commander of the Space Missile Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, delivers a speech at the closure ceremony of Onizuka Air Force Station here, Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure.(U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Onizuka AFS closes, operations move to Vandenberg

SUNNYVALE, Calif.-- Lt. Gen. John T.Sheridan, commander of the Space Missile Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, delivers a speech at the closure ceremony of Onizuka Air Force Station here, Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Built in 1960, Onizuka AFS was originally known as the Air Force Satellite Test Center. It was selected for closure by the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005, with the recommendation to move operations to Vandenberg Air Force Base, in order to consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure.(U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Bryan Boyette)

Preparing for the X-37B

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Mr. Jim Zechman, of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron structures shop, removes sealing from a runway light hole to prepare it for a replacement cover on the flightline here Saturday, May 8, 2010. Construction crews replaced the metal plates to ensure the X-37B has a safe landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Preparing for the X-37B

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Mr. John Anaya, of the 581st Missile Maintenance Squadron, inspects a metal plate he replaced to ensure it meets specifications for the X-37B landing on the flightline here Saturday, May 8, 2010. Construction crews replaced the metal plates to ensure the X-37B has a safe landing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)