VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – Aug. 11, 2026 - Air Force Global Strike Command, Sentinel Task Force Det 9 (AFGSC/STF Det 9), in coordination with Space Launch Delta 30 and Air Education and Training Command (AETC), will host a "Golden Shovel" groundbreaking ceremony on August 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. to mark the official construction kickoff of the new AETC Sentinel Formal Training Unit (FTU).
This 160,000-square-foot facility represents Vandenberg Space Force Base’s largest Sentinel military construction project and a major evolution of the Sentinel program. Once complete, it will consolidate Initial Skills Training for missile operators and technical training for missile maintainers into a single, integrated campus. Training the next generation of missileers and maintainers is a critical step in the progression of onboarding the Sentinel program.
MEDIA EVENT INFORMATION:
• What: AETC Sentinel "Golden Shovel" Groundbreaking Ceremony & Media Opportunity
• When: Monday, August 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. PT (Media escort begins at 12:45 p.m.)
• Where: Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA
• Who (Photo and interview opportunities):*
• Col James Horne III (Commander, Space Launch Delta 30)
• Col Richard Morrison (Deputy Director, AFGSC/A10)
• Lt Col Suzanne "Suzy" Lamar (Commander, AFGSC/A10 Sentinel Task Force Det 9)
• Lt Col Luke Oman (Commander, 532nd Training Squadron)
• Mr. Daniel Gilstrap (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
MEDIA RSVP & BASE ACCESS REQUIREMENTS:
Due to security requirements at Vandenberg Space Force Base, all media representatives wishing to cover this event must RSVP no later than Aug. 13 at 4 p.m.
Please submit the following information for all attending personnel to sld30.pa.workflow@us.af.mil
• Full Name (as it appears on a government-issued ID)
• Media Outlet
• Date of Birth
• Driver's License Number and State of Issuance
Registered media will meet at the Vandenberg SFB Visitor Center at 12:45 p.m. on Aug. 17 to be escorted to the ceremony location.