VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones, Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety, visited Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 21, 2026, to gain a firsthand understanding of the safety processes that support launch and test operations across the Western Range. During the visit, Gen. Jones received briefings from Space Launch Delta 30 safety personnel and members of the 2nd Range Operations Squadron on launch timelines, mission integration, operational risk management and the protocols used to ensure safe and successful launch activities.
The visit highlighted how Team Vandenberg evaluates hazards associated with explosives, propellants, radiation and laser systems while establishing safety corridors and enforcing range requirements for all users operating on the range. Gen. Jones also met with personnel responsible for regulating launch and test activities and discussed the coordination required between mission partners to safely execute increasingly complex space operations.
As the Department of the Air Force Chief of Safety, Gen. Jones oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of aviation, space, weapons and occupational safety programs that preserve combat power across the Air and Space Forces. His visit provided an opportunity to observe how Vandenberg’s safety professionals support the Department of the Air Force’s mission by enabling assured access to space while maintaining the highest safety standards for personnel, resources and operations.