Features

May 26, 2009
From Costa Rica: Optometrist's right-hand Airman

In a foreign land thousands of miles from home, one Vandenberg Air Force Base Airman finds herself filling a role to which she is unaccustomed in her normal medical career field duties. Senior Airman Maricella Estrada, a 30th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medicine journeyman, is currently
May 21, 2009
Space 100: Introduction to 'final frontier'

A trek across the vast openness of the Midwest used to require numerous maps and careful attention to road signs; however, with the advancement of technology and the friendly voice of a GPS, maps are no longer needed. The satellite technology required to operate a GPS is out of this world,
May 19, 2009
Testing for success with 576th FLTS

"T-minus 60 seconds; go for launch, igniters on, engine start, lift off!" These are the classic launch checks performed in the final crucial seconds before a launch, but what precedes the final minute? Before the launch is even scheduled, members of the 576th Flight Test Squadron here are working to
May 18, 2009
Vandenberg learns from civilian fire captain

Up in the hills of Santa Barbara, fire captain John Crotty stares out over a desolate piece of land once inhabited by more than 20,000 people. Wind sweeping through the walls of the valley begins to provoke an already agitated wildfire. The heat from the blaze causes sweat to fall from a saturated
May 18, 2009
Vandenberg K-9 team is vital part of Manas' security

The Manas military working dogs unleash loyalty, determination and stamina as security forces shields. They serve as constant companions to their handlers, shouldering the brunt of danger during peace and war. With built-in radar, they are able to smell out trouble that no human or manmade device
May 15, 2009
Missile maintenance starts at 532nd TRS

With the turn of a wrench and a check of the engine, one of the Air Force's most powerful weapons is checked for its dependability. The maintenance of that weapon, an air launch cruise missile, is performed by Airmen trained at the 532nd Training Squadron here. For 72 academic days, the students
May 12, 2009
Tax tip: New credit means changes in withholdings

The government recently gave American taxpayers another economic stimulus in the form of the 'Making Work Pay Tax Credit.' However, unlike the 2008 stimulus, this one is not in the form of a check. Generally, for people who receive a paycheck, this credit was typically handled by their employers,
April 23, 2009
Unique team scopes out base's wildlife interests

Every morning at daybreak, as the sun begins its hurdle over the horizon, a group of Vandenberg's finest perform a variety of tasks unique to the typical operations of an Air Force base. This particular group is the 30th Security Forces Squadron conservation law enforcement officers. This small, but
April 20, 2009
Base considers disassembling historical launch complex

Vandenberg is currently undergoing the planning stages of removing and disassembling pieces from one of its historical launch pads, Space Launch Complex-5. The reason behind modifying the vacant complex came about when Vandenberg began receiving numerous requests from different agencies, programs
April 16, 2009
Be proactive, prevent property crime

Crime is not limited to highly urbanized cities; it occurs everywhere from the rural countryside to suburban neighborhoods to even Vandenberg Air Force Base. Statistics show that violent crime is decreasing on Vandenberg, whereas the property crime numbers are increasing. "Living on an Air Force