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)