Vandenberg’s flying mission

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Fay, from the 30th Security Forces Squadron, inspects the Raven before conducting a test run here Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012. The Raven is an unmanned aerial system that is operated by Airmen here at the 30th SFS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jennifer Green-Lanchoney)

A unit that is truly one of a kind

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Staff Sgt. Cole Whitney, a 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation officer, along with Trooper, his horse, and Staff Sgt. Lauren Daniels, a 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation officer, with her horse, Scout, head out for a five-hour patrol here Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Vandenberg’s Mounted Horse Patrol unit plays a vital role in base operations to include search and rescue operations; patrols into base territory that even all terrain vehicles cannot access; consequence management for protests; maintaining a security forces and conservation presence during hunting season; pre-launch sweeps; and beach patrols. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Scottie T. McCord)

A unit that is truly one of a kind

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Tech. Sgt. Sean Yargus, a 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation officer, and his partner for the day, Six Eagle, practice rescue training with the assistance of Airman 1st Class Zachary Baldenegro, also a 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation officer. The Mounted Horse Patrol unit plays a vital role in base operations to include search and rescue operations and patrols into base territory that even all terrain vehicles cannot access. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Scottie T. McCord)

A unit that is truly one of a kind

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Tech. Sgt. Sean Yargus, a 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation officer, trains and exercises with Six Eagle in the arena When not on patrol, the horses perform exercises and training consisting of arena work and lunging. Yargus is the NCO in charge of the only Mounted Horse Patrol unit in the entire Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Scottie T. McCord)

A unit that is truely one of a kind

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Airman 1st Class Zachary Baldenegro, a 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation officer, checks the saddle on Six Eagle before taking him out for his daily exercise and training. When not on patrol, the horses exercise and training consists of arena work and lunging. The Mounted Horse Patrol unit plays a vital role in base operations to include search and rescue operations; patrols into base territory that even all terrain vehicles cannot access; consequence management for protests; maintaining a security forces and conservation presence during hunting season; pre-launch sweeps; and beach patrols. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Scottie T. McCord)

A unit that is truely one of a kind

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Senior Airman Aaron Brown, a 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation officer, uses a grooming block to remove dirt and condition the hair of Trooper here Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Performing daily grooming allows Brown to bond with his four-legged co-worker Trooper, who is a part of the only Mounted Horse Patrol unit in the entire Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Scottie T. McCord)

Bod Pod Open House

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Jonathan Low, the Health and Wellness Center’s health promotion program manager, briefs wing leadership on the new Bod Pod located at the 30th Medical Group here Friday, Jan. 6, 2012. A BOD POD is an egg-shaped chamber used to determine a person’s lean body mass and with average test and retest variation within 2 percent body fat. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Scottie McCord)

Vandenberg's Combat Arms recieves new combat simulator

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Richard Boltz, the 30th Space Wing commander, tries to talk down an aggressive suspect while testing out the 30th Security Forces Squadron's new firearms training simulator at Combat Arms here Thursday, Dec. 15th, 2011. The new simulator provides a virtual training environment for Vandenberg members to practice real world combat tactics and train with firearms qualification scenarios. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Vandenberg's Combat Arms recieves new combat simulator

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Andrew Oliver, a 30th Security Forces Squadron combat arms trainer, briefs Col. Richard Boltz, the 30th Space Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Suzanne Talbert, the 30th SW command chief, on the 30th Security Forces Squadron's new firearms training simulator at Combat Arms here Thursday, Dec. 15th, 2011. The new simulator provides a virtual training environment for Vandenberg members to practice real world combat tactics and train with firearms qualification scenarios. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Vandenberg's Combat Arms recieves new combat simulator

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Richard Boltz, the 30th Space Wing commander, surveys the equipment that charges training magazines with Carbon Dioxide, necessary for providing realistic recoil for firearms, for the 30th Security Forces Squadron's new firearms training simulator at Combat Arms here Thursday, Dec. 15th, 2011. The new simulator provides a virtual training environment for Vandenberg members to practice real world combat tactics and train with firearms qualification scenarios. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Airfield Management keeps mission flying

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Senior Airman Kristin Bethany, a 30th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager, performs the daily radio check here Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The Airfield Management team reviews everything from broken equipment and cracks in the flightline to ensure that the airfield is ready to support operations at all times. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Airfield Management keeps mission flying

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Tech. Sgt. Donald Baily and Senior Airman Christopher McComus, both 30th Operations Support Squadron airfield managers, speak after the morning flightline inspection about bird sighting on the runway here Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The Airfield Management team documents wildlife and works closely with the base conservation office to ensure the animals stay off of the runway. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)