Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

Shelby Le, University of California Santa Barbara internship coordinator, gives opening remarks during the Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. Le welcomed and thanked the interns, mentors and other coordinators in attendance, giving special recognition to Vandenberg Space Force Base and its host units. The eight-week internship, a program organized by REACH Central Coast, connects students with mission partners across the installation, providing hands-on experience that supports the western spaceport’s operations for the purpose of developing its future workforce. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

Parker Johnston, right, a University of California Santa Barbara electrical engineering student, presents his project alongside his peers during the Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. The eight-week program, organized by REACH Central Coast, brought together 18 students from regional colleges to gain hands-on experience. Interns’ tackled mission-critical tasks to build a robust talent pipeline, positioning the Vandenberg as a leader in space launch and technology. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, center left, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, and Dee Dee Myers, center right, senior advisor to the governor and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, listen during the Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. Horne and Myers attended the event to honor the 18 graduating interns. The eight-week internship, a program organized by REACH Central Coast, connects students with mission partners across the installation, providing hands-on experience that supports the western spaceport’s operations for the purpose of developing its future workforce. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, gives closing remarks during the Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. Horne thanked the mentors and organizations who invested their time and expertise in the students, making mention of REACH Central Coast and California Jobs First for helping make this opportunity possible. The eight-week internship program connects students with mission partners across the installation, providing hands-on experience that supports the western spaceport’s operations for the purpose of developing its future workforce. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

Dee Dee Myers, senior advisor to the governor and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, gives closing remarks during the Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. Myers congratulated the students on completing the internship. The eight-week internship program connects students with mission partners across the installation, providing hands-on experience that supports the western spaceport’s operations for the purpose of developing its future workforce. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, poses for a group photo with interns, coordinators and mentors for the Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program following the final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. The eight-week program, organized by REACH Central Coast, brought together 18 students from regional colleges and universities to gain hands-on experience while supporting mission-focused projects across the installation to inspire and develop the next generation of the western spaceport’s workforce. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

Christopher Ryan, Space and Missile Technology Center director, gives a tour to Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program students after the final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. Ryan taught the students about the history of Vandenberg. Throughout the eight-week internship, organized by REACH Central Coast, students collaborated on mission-focused projects while gaining hands-on experience supporting organizations across Vandenberg for the purpose of developing the next generation of the western spaceport’s workforce. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

Leticia Mendez, right, Allan Hancock College computer engineering student, admires a model of the Titan IV vertical integration tower during a tour of the Space and Missile Technology Center after a Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026. Mendez, one of the interns of the program, joined her peers during a SAMTEC tour to learn about the history of Vandenberg. Throughout the eight-week internship, organized by REACH Central Coast, students collaborated on mission-focused projects while gaining hands-on experience supporting organizations across Vandenberg for the purpose of developing the next generation of the western spaceport’s workforce. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Sparks Spaceport of the Future Initiatives

Published Aug. 14, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Ian Hawkes
Space Launch Delta 30

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. --

Interns present their project alongside their peers during the Space Vandenberg Summer Internship Program final project showcase event at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 14, 2026.

U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, center left, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, and Dee Dee Myers, center right, senior advisor to the governor and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, attended the event. Horne and Myers attended the event to honor the graduating interns.

The eight-week program, organized by REACH Central Coast, brought together 18 students from regional colleges to gain hands-on experience. Interns’ tackled mission-critical tasks to build a robust talent pipeline, positioning the Vandenberg as a leader in space launch and technology.