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)