2008 at a glance

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Atlas V stands on Space Launch Complex-3 during its mobile servicing tower rollback on March 12. This was the first Atlas V launched from Vandenberg and the west coast, as well as the first launch of the year. This milestone for Team Vandenberg was the product of the combined efforts of the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance Office, United Launch Alliance, the Space and Missile Systems Center, the Aerospace Corporation and more. SLC-3 was significantly modified to get ready for the next generation of space launch vehicles. The pad received significant upgrades to accommodate the larger and more powerful booster. The tower was made taller, the overhang was extended with a much bigger crane, and the entire pad deck was reconfigured. The pad also featured a brand new fixed launch platform. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

Marine excercise

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit evacuate civilians during a simulated non-combatant evacuation operation Sunday. An MEU in recent events successfully pulled out American citizens during a conflict in Lebanon. The team’s effort in Lebanon has increased the awareness of the military to be ready for the need of non-combatant evacuations in foreign countries when they become unsafe for Americans and our allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Matthew Plew)

OKC

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 392nd Training Squadron wins the Vandenberg 2008 Intramural Football Championship. ( U.S Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

OKC

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE Calif. -- Airman 1st Class Dallas Cole prays with Ana Ventura from Santa Maria at Operation Kids Christmas held at the Pacific Coast Club. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Vandenberg at a Glance

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Vandenberg firefighters scrub and rinse possible contamination off of airman at the decontamination station during an exercise at Cocheo Park. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)

Vandenberg at a Glance

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Senior Airman Patrick Mckee and Senior Airman Samiel McIntyre read the results from a litmus paper testing strip during an intial assesment at a RECON exercise in Cocheo Park. (U S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Antoinette Lyons)