VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman’s and Jennifer Saltzman, his spouse, visit Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., June 16, 2026. Saltzman reviewed Western Range modernization efforts during visits to the 2nd Range Operations Squadron, 2nd Space Launch Squadron, and Space Launch Complexes 6 and 14. The engagements highlight Vandenberg’s rapid evolution into a resilient “Spaceport of the Future” engineered to sustain a high-tempo cadence of national security launches.
U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood, Commander U.S. Space Forces – Space and United States Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander and U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, greeted Gen. Saltzman upon his arrival.
Throughout the tour Col. Horne briefed Gen. Saltzman on the current projections for the Western Range and how improvements will effect national security.
U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Andrew Singleton, 2nd Range Operations Squadron commander, and 1st Lt. Xue, 2nd Space Launch Squadron chief innovation officer, briefed Saltzman on Team V's progress in training artificial intelligence models to streamline critical space launch communications. Xue’s innovation team recently secured transition funding during the Space Systems Command 2026 Fight Tonight competition to scale their AI program, ECHO, which dramatically reduces console operator workloads and accelerates decision-making.
The 2nd Space Launch Squadron then further discussed the strategic integration of the defense industrial base and tactical military capabilities, highlighting the squadron's central role in guaranteeing rapid, resilient, and assured access to space.
The 2nd Range Operations Squadron briefed Gen. Saltzman on recent achievements and plans to improve upon them with coming missions. The 2nd Range Operations Squadron controls and operates the nation’s Western Range spacelift, ballistic missile test launch, missile defense test, and aeronautical test and training operations. The squadron directs over 1,000 Space Force and contractor personnel at five geographically separated locations spanning more than 2,500 miles to ensure optimum configuration and performance tracking, telemetry, communications, data analysis, and meteorological assets.
Jennifer Saltzman, spouse of Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, had a tour focused on the vital quality-of-life programs managed by the 30th Force Support Squadron, which serve as the bedrock of the Vandenberg community. During her visit, Mrs. Saltzman’s visited Starbase, the library, the thrift store, the food pantry, and various childcare locations highlighted the base’s multi-layered approach to supporting families—ranging from early childhood development and STEM education to financial relief and food security.
On Mrs. Saltzman's tour she visited the Vandenberg Youth Center, it provides military families with after-school and summer programming, featuring music production, art supplies, a playground and an indoor basketball gym.