Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- "There it is." Staff Sgt. Jayme Baucham, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, points out a potential problem to Staff Sgt. Randy Nepomuceno, also with the 576th FLTS, while working on the portable air conditioner here Thursday, March 11, 2010. Besides working on missile maintenance equipment the facility maintainers also conduct electrical and plumbing work for their squadron facilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Examining the five brads, Staff Sgt. Randy Nepomuceno, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, makes sure the electrical hose is in optimum working condition while inside the portable air conditioner here Thursday, March 11, 2010. The PAC is specifically designed to be used when the missile is in the missile well and some piece of equipment needs further testing in a cooler environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Reaching into the portable air conditioner, Staff Sgt. Randy Nepomuceno, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, examines the working conditions of the engine here Thursday, March 11, 2010. The PAC is specifically designed to be used when the missile is in the missile well and some piece of equipment needs further testing in a cooler environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Replacing the battery cables, Staff Sgt. Randy Nepomuceno, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, makes sure there is enough battery power to service the portable air conditioner while in field conditions here Thursday, March 11, 2010. What cannot be done in the confines of a bay is done in the field, thus the PAC is utilized when the missile is undergoing malfunctions and is in need of additional testing under cooler conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Anthony Klatt, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, secures the latch of an auxiliary power unit after performing regular maintenance on the motor here Thursday, March 11, 2010. The APU provides enough power to keep the environment stable for the missiles' transportation to the field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the payload transporter trailer, Staff Sgts. Randy Nepomuceno and Anthony Klatt, both of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, check the vent flaps for leaks and proper air flow here Thursday, March 11, 2010. One of the facility maintainer's numerous jobs is keeping the missile equipment under proper environmental conditions. To do this they use the PT trailer, which is equipped with large air conditioning vents that are powered by the auxiliary power unit situated at the front of the trailer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Revving the engine of the auxiliary power unit, Staff Sgt. Anthony Klatt, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, makes sure that it is in proper working order here Thursday, March 11, 2010. The APU gives enough power to aid in the cooling of a payload as it is being transported to the field and placed into the missile well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Showing correct placement of the ammeter, Staff Sgt. Jayme Baucham points Staff Sgt. Patricia Brown, both of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, to the correct quadrant inside the brine chiller here Thursday, March 11, 2010. The brine chiller keeps the environmental controls balanced on a missile during field inspections and must be tested to ensure it is in proper working order before use. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Randy Nepomuceno uses a technical order to guide Staff Sgts. Patricia Brown and Anthony Klatt through the preliminary checklist for the evaluation of the guidance and control test bench here Thursday, March 11, 2010. In order to ensure excellence in their maintenance, the facility maintainer's always need to have the correct TO read to them, word for word, while utilizing the testing equipment for any procedure. All three sergeants are with the 576th Flight Test Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- "The water level's good," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Klatt, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, while checking the water level in the guidance and control test bench here Thursday, March 11, 2010. The GNC test bench is a piece of equipment used to judge the environmental controls on specific parts of a missile unit and must be checked before and after use. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.-- Suiting up, Staff Sgt. Anthony Klatt, of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, puts on protective gear before turning on the guidance and control test bench here Thursday, March 11, 2010. Sergeant Klatt is a facility maintainer whose primary mission is "dedicated to professionally executing tests that accurately measure the current and future capabilities of the nation's ICBM force." (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lael Huss)

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Unit Focus: 576th Flight Test Squadron

Published March 31, 2010