Base Beaches
The beaches here are beautiful and definitely worth visiting. Jogging, hiking, picnicking and fishing are just a few of the activities many Vandenberg people enjoy there. Swimming from Vandenberg beaches is authorized on civilian access beaches only. Personnel accessing Vandenberg's beaches should be aware of restricted bird nesting areas. These areas near the sand dunes and directly adjacent to the beaches, are the home and nesting area to one of our nations most threatened birds, the western snowy plover.
Base Population
Vandenberg supports a population greater than 18,000 (military, family members, contractors, and civilian employees).
Civilian Job Opportunities
Information about civilian employment can be found at Family Support Center.
Facilities for the Disabled
Representatives at any base facility that is not accessible to the disabled may be contacted to provide special assistance as needed. The following facilities are accessible to the disabled: Youth Center, Commissary, Base Exchange, Shoppette, Pass and Registration, Library, Hospital, Dental Clinic, Post Office, Coasthills Federal Credit Union, and the Bowling Center. The first floors of the Military Personnel Flight and Accounting and Finance offices are accessible also.
Financial Assistance
The Customer Service Office, located in Bldg 11777, Room A-114, will inform you of your Travel and Military Pay entitlements. Customers service hours are as follows: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Customer Service officials may also be reached by calling 805-606-4606. or DSN 276-4606.
Firearm Registration
All firearms stored on the installation must be registered through the 3oth Security Forces Squadron's Pass and Registration Office, located in Bldg 11777 in Room C 111. Personnel residing in dormitory quarters must store their firearms in the security forces armory, open 24 hours a day at Bldg 13675. Firearm registration must be accomplished for all firearms the first day the firearms arrive on the installation. An Air Force Form 1314 and a DD Form 2760 will be accomplished to register all firearms. The original forms will be brought to Pass and Registration, a copy will be filed with your orderly room and another with the firearm. For more information contact Pass and Registration at 805-606-3923.
Household Goods Shipments
As soon as possible after arriving, contact the inbound personal property section of the Traffic Management Office in Bldg. 11777, Room C-103, 805-606-1848, or DSN 276-1848, to have your household goods and hold baggage delivered. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; except Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When your household goods or hold baggage arrives, you will be contacted if you have provided a contact phone number. Someone must be at the place of delivery between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the delivery date. If a conflict arises, reschedule in advance. You will be billed for an attempted delivery if no one is available at the place of delivery. Have a copy of your inventory handy to check each item being unloaded. Annotate all damaged or missing items on the Department of Defense Form 1840 to file a claim, if necessary.
You are authorized to store household goods determined by the housing manager to be impractical or unsuitable for use in the particular quarters assigned. You must request storage of items and a list must be submitted within 30 days of the date of quarters assignment.
The carrier is required to unpack every-thing and remove all paper and packing materials, if requested by the member. Do not accept any excuses if you wish to have your household goods/hold baggage unpacked. Call the quality control inspector if you encounter any problems. If you wish to unpack any or all of your property, you may be required to sign a waiver to assume the responsibility for disposing of the packing materials.
Questions concerning delivery of your household goods/hold baggage should be referred to the quality control inspector at Ext. 6-0906. The office of primary responsibility for personal property shipments is the 30th Transportation Squadron representative at Bldg. 11777, Room C-104, 805-606-6931, or DSN 276-6931.
Pet Care
Pets residing on base must have a current rabies vaccine. Pets are not allowed in any base temporary lodging facility. Annual DAP and FVRCP vaccinations are highly recommended. Please call or write the U.S. Army Veterinary Services Clinic - USAF Hospital/SGV, Bldg. 1314 at 805-606-3019, or DSN 276-3019 to ensure your pet's type of rabies vaccine is recognized by California's Department of Health Services. Veterinary Clinic appointments are required for vaccines and sick call. Operating hours are 8 a.m.-noon and 1- 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Children younger than 12 years old are not allowed in the clinic.
Stray pets picked up by security forces personnel without an identification tag are held for 72 hours and then placed for adoption at the Stray Animal Facility. Stray pets should be reported to security forces, who will make every effort to locate the owner. The Law Enforcement Desk may be contacted by calling 805-606-3911, or DSN 276-3911.
Public Affairs
The Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs Office is in Bldg. 12000. The office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office can be reached at 805-606-3595, or DSN 276-3595. Here are some of their programs:
Commanders Access Channel (Channel 2)
All base cable subscribers, including billeting facilities and some offices, receive the Team Vandenberg Network, Channel 2. Managed by the Public Affairs Office, this station provides news programming, an electronic bulletin board and free classified ads for base personnel.
Straight Talk Information line
The Public Affairs Office operates the Straight Talk information line. The recorded phone message answers questions on matters of general interest and emergency information. The line can be reached at 805-606-8263.
Space and Missile Heritage Center
The Space and Missile Heritage Center preserves and displays artifacts and memorabilia to interpret the evolution of missile and spacelift activity at Vandenberg from the beginning of the Cold War through current non-classified developments in military, commercial, and scientific space endeavors.
The initial display area is made up of two exhibits, the "Chronology of the Cold War" and the "Evolution of Technology". The exhibits incorporate a combination of launch complex models, launch consoles, rocket engines, re-entry vehicles, audiovisual and computer displays as well as hands-on interaction where appropriate. The Center will evolve in stages from these initial exhibit areas as restorations of additional facilities are completed.
The Center is located at Space Launch Complex 10, Vandenberg's only National Historic Landmark and open for regularly scheduled tours through the Public Affairs office at (805) 606-3595. Persons with normal base access may contact the Center directly at (805) 605-8300.
Vandenberg News Web site
The Vandenberg public Web site, www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil, keeps you informed of news, information and activities. The news, which is updated daily, is also sent via e-mail weekly to base personnel; to receive the Vandenberg Headlines at your home e-mail, send a message to SLD30.pa.workflow@us.af.mil. Story contributions by individuals are welcomed. Call the base newspaper editor at 805-606-3595, or DSN 276-3595 for more information.
Time Zone
Vandenberg is in the Pacific Time Zone. California observes Daylight Savings Time from early April until late October. Set your clock one hour ahead in April, and set it one hour back in October.
Twilight Phenomenon
Twilight phenomenon is produced when unburned missile or rocket propellant particles and water left in the vapor trail of a launch, freeze in the less dense upper atmosphere. The fragments reflect high altitude sunlight, producing spectacular, colorful effects when seen from the ground. The phenomenon's appearance varies with viewer location. The phenomenon typically produces green, blue, white and rose colored clouds which take on a corkscrew appearance as they are twisted by wind current. It's usually seen two to three minutes after a launch. The phenomenon most often occurs with launches 30 to 60 minutes after sunset or before sunrise as boosters rise out of the darkness into the sunlight. Some observers have assumed - incorrectly - that the phenomenon is the product of a malfunction, but the events are not linked.
Vandenberg Spouses' Club
The Vandenberg Spouses' Club is an all ranks club. That is both a charitable and social group which raises funds for college and athletic scholarships for military family members. Activities include a monthly social and special interest mini-clubs like wine club, recipe club, book club, and mahjong. Membership is open to all spouses of active-duty, retired military members, and spouses of civilian personnel at VSFB. For more information check out the VSC Website at www.vandenbergspousesclub.org, our group on Facebook, or send mail to P.O. Box 5514, Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437.
Vehicle Registration
Vehicals entering Vandenberg Space Force Base are no longer required to have vehicle decals or have to register with Pass and Registration. Pass and Registration, located in Bldg 11777 in Room C 111, still issues vehical decals if desired. To receive a vehicle decal, bring proof of current state registration, auto insurance information, a valid driver's license and a military affiliated ID card. If you have any questions contact Pass and Registration at 805-606-3923.
Current as of October 14, 2021