Unit focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Tech. Sgt. Billy Nolan and Staff Sgts. Neal Paris and Robert Ritchey, all with the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron, go over transportation handling technical orders with their team leader, Master Sgt. David Grimes. The 1st ASTS is the only full-service Air Force organization capable of launch and integration of several launch vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Tech. Sgts. Jose Estampador and Billy Nolan, and Staff Sgts. Neal Paris and Robert Ritchey, all with the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron maintenance flight, examine the Stage 3 assembly of the Minotaur IV Space Launch Vehicle. The Minotaur IV SLV is one of three missions of the 1st ASTS that will provide an additional launch solution for U.S. government-sponsored spacecraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Staff Sgt. Robert Ritchey, who works in the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron, operates a 50-ton overhead gantry crane used to lift Minotaur IV rocket motors. The motors are processed and put together by the 1st ASTS. Airmen in the 1st ASTS maintenance flight are the only maintainers in the entire Air Force providing capabilities to launch satellites into space by providing the transportation handling for decommissioned intercontinental ballistic missile boosters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Tech. Sgt. Billy Nolan and Staff Sgts. Neal Paris and Robert Ritchey, all with the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron, go over transportation handling technical orders. The 1st ASTS is the only full-service Air Force organization capable of launch and integration of several launch vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Blue levers activate both the transport trailer's landing gear and hydraulics suspension system to level and raise the trailer suspension during transportion of the Minotaur IV Space Launch Vehicle prior to assembly. The Minotaur IV SLV is one of three missions at the 1st ASTS and will provide an additional launch solution for U.S. government-sponsored spacecraft. The 1 ASTS has more than 30 years of experience as a missile test and launch organization for missile weapons systems and space launch vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Tech. Sgt. Billy Nolan and Staff Sgts. Neal Paris and Robert Ritchey, all with the Airmen in the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron maintenance flight, practice operating the hydraulic power unit used for transporting missile parts. Airmen in the 1st ASTS maintenance flight are the only maintainers in the entire Air Force providing capabilities to launch satellites into space by providing the transportation handling for decommissioned intercontinental ballistic missile boosters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Master Sgt. David Grimes, who works in the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron maintenance flight, prepares a 50-ton overhead gantry crane used to lift Minotaur IV rocket motors for processing and assembly by 1st ASTS maintainers. The Minotaur IV is new and set for an inaugural launch in October 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Neal Paris, who works in the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron maintenance flight, prepares a 50-ton overhead gantry crane used to lift Minotaur IV rocket motors for processing and assembly by 1st ASTS maintainers. The 1st ASTS is the only full-service Air Force organization capable of launching satellites in to space and provides the transportation handling for decommissioned intercontinental ballistic missile boosters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgt. Connie McPhaul, who works in the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron maintenance flight, examines the Stage 3 assembly of the Minotaur IV Space Launch Vehicle. The 1st ASTS is the only full-service Air Force organization capable of launch and integration of several launch vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Staff Sgts. Neal Paris and Robert Ritchey, both with the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron maintenance flight, train on procedures for the Stage 3 assembly of the Minotaur IV Space Launch Vehicle. The 1st ASTS has more than 30 years of experience as a missile test and launch organization for missile weapons systems and space launch vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)

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Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Published June 19, 2009

Unit focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron

Unit Focus: 1st Air and Space Test Squadron