Maj. Gen. Funk

Former Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty and Maj. Gen. Ben Funk attend a Titan III launch in 1965. (Photo courtesy of SMC History Office)

Maj. Gen. Funk

Maj. Gen. Ben Funk presents a “Zero Defects Award” to Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax for pitching a perfect game on Sept. 9, 1965. (Photo courtesy of SMC History Office)

Air Force Saxophonists visist LAAFB

Saxophone players from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, based at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., entertain members of the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, El Segundo, Calif., Dec. 9, 2011.

Air Force Saxophonists visit Los Angeles AFB

Space and Missile Systems Center Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Repp gives a warm welcome to saxophone players from the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, based at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., during their visit to entertain members at Los Angeles Air Force base, El Segundo, Calif., Dec. 9, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sarah Corrice/Released)

El Segundo 2011 Holiday Parade

The Los Angeles Air Force Honor Guard heads up the 48th annual El Segundo Holiday parade, Dec. 11. (Photo by Jim Gordon)

El Segundo 2011 Holiday Parade

The LAAFB Youth Programs Cheerleading Squad performs for the crowd during the 48th annual El Segundo Holiday Parade, Dec. 11. This year was the second year the squad marched in the El Segundo parade. (Photo by Alicia Garges)

SMC First Sergeant Master Sgt. Thomas Martin leads KUDOS participants in formation drills.

US Air Force Master Sgt. Thomas Martin, First Sergeant, Space Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, El Segundo, Calif., leads participants in formation as part of the of the annual Kids Understanding Deployment Operations event at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, Calif., Oct. 22. KUDOS, sponsored by the Airman & Family Readiness Center at LAAFB, is a military and youth interaction program designed to give children a taste of what deployment is like. The children ages five to 15 pass through a mobility line, interact with displays and engage in military-inspired activities throughout the event. (Photo by Sarah Corrice)

US Coast Guard illustrates military working dog duties at LAAFB KUDOS

US Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Nick Antis, a member of US Coast Guard Maritime Safety & Security Team (MSST) 91103, Long Beach, Calif., rewards Ryder, a bomb-sniffing dog assigned to the team after successfully detecting a simulated hidden explosive at the annual Kids Understanding Deployment Operations (KUDOS) event at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, Calif., Oct. 22, 2011. KUDOS is a military and youth interaction program sponsored by the Airman & Family Readiness Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif., and is designed to give children a taste of what deployment is like. The children ages five to 15 pass through a mobility line, interact with displays and engage in military-inspired activities throughout the event. (Photo by Sarah Corrice)

2011 LAAFB POW/MIA Run

The torch is carried through San Pedro, Sept. 15. (Photo by Lou Hernandez)

2011 LAAFB POW/MIA Run

Runners are escorted across the Vincent Thomas Bridge into San Pedro. More than 50 runners representing all branches of the military services commemorated National POW/MIA Recognition Day with a 24-hour 60-plus-mile torch relay run that culminated in a wreath-laying ceremony, Sept. 16. (Photo by Lou Hernandez)

2011 LAAFB POW/MIA Run

Members of VFW Post 2967 stand at attention at the POW/MIA Day wreath laying ceremony, Sept. 16. (Photo by Jim Gordon)

2011 LAAFB POW/MIA Run

Col. Bernard Gruber, GPS director, hands off the torch following the completion of the 24-hour run. The torch was carried from Terminal Island to LAAFB by relay teams comprised of members from all Armed Forces. (Photo by Jim Gordon)