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Space Walk ties Airmen to mission success
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - -- Vandenberg successfully hosted a Wing Space Walk, here, May 8.
The Space Walk was an open house for Team V members and their families and was an opportunity for them to see the wing's unique mission, people, facilities and equipment.
"People that think about Vandenberg automatically associate the base with launches, but they don't necessarily consider all the things that go into the launch process itself," said Maj. Waylon Mitchell, 30th Range Management Squadron director of operations.
"There are many more things that go on besides the day of launch that this event makes them more aware of."
After Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, presented two mission briefs at the base theater to kick off the event, guests were able to jump between the 30th Launch Group, 30th Operations Group and the 30th Mission Support Group demonstration sites at their convenience.
The 30th OG displayed its command and control capabilities of the Western Range and how it directs range resources in support of space launches, missile test launches and aeronautical and space surveillance operations.
"The Space Walk allowed Airmen to see all other aspects of the base that people normally don't get to see," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan White, 30th Operations Support Squadron weather flight NCO in charge. "You get to see the Western Range Operations Control Center, how all the mechanics flow together and how missiles launch into outer space."
The 30th MSG demonstrated critical infrastructure support, security and disaster response to the base, tenant units and mission partners.
"Some people can be timid from seeing us in uniform with a weapon," said Senior Airman Anthony Galindo, 30th Security Forces Squadron combat arms specialist. "This event lets people know they're kept safe and how we protect them."
The 30th LCG presented their capability to protect mission critical launch resources and perform launch operations.
"We're connecting everyone to the mission," said Tech. Sgt. David Peria, 4th Space Launch Squadron mission assurance technician. "Everyone has an important role on this base, and it always ties into launching rockets. Today, we tried to make everyone aware of that. "