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  • Photo of Royal Canadian Air Force Officer Major Michael Lang

    Vandenberg’s multinational CSpOC team supports NASA’s multinational space missions

    I have had the privilege of working on two historic NASA missions over the past year, during which the United States launched astronauts into space from its own soil for the first time since 2011. Although these launches took place from a launch pad in Florida, my team’s participation in both launches took place from the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. This team of space experts from Vandenberg not only had Americans and Canadians like me on it, but a whole host of multinational partners as well.
  • In light of recent nationwide events, Master Sgt. Cederic Hill, 614th Combat Operations Division Combined Space Operations Center theater watch chief, decided to share his story as a black man in America and the military.

    Tough conversations; addressing the past to improve our future

    As I look back on the past 20 years, I realize, of all the mentors I have had in my career only one has looked like me. This is in no way meant to belittle the mentors I currently have because I have the utmost respect for them. I do, however, believe I would have been able to find my voice as an Airman and NCO much faster if I had more people who looked like me to guide me along my path.
  • Danielle Mastalir poses for a portrait May 3, 2020, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. As a part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Mastalir shared her story of her mental health challenges and tools that helped her overcome them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hanah Abercrombie)

    Mental Health; through the eyes of a spouse

    After graduating from college, finding the man of my dreams, and deciding to have a family of my own I remember thinking everything was perfect! Everything was perfect, but it wasn’t.
  • Maj. Michael Barlow, 614th Combat Training Squadron director of operations, poses for a portrait May 4, 2020, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. As a part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Barlow shared his personal journey with mental health during his Air Force career. Barlow hopes to inspire those who have not yet sought help as he shares his courage with the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)

    I go; fighting the Mental Health stigma

    I am Maj. Michael Barlow. I am an Airman in the United States Air Force, Director of Operations at the 614th Combat Training Squadron, and I go to Mental Health.
  • Staff Sgt. Ivy Abercrombie, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and her daughter Hanah Abercrombie pose for a photo March 17, 2006, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Hanah joined the Air Force and graduated basic training December 2017, following in her parent's footsteps. (Courtesy photo

    From military child to military member

    My parents are superheroes. They may not be cape-wearing, city-saving, wall-crushing crusaders, but to me, my sister and many of the people they have helped, they are superheroes.
  • Graphic

    Resiliency found on uncommon ground

    On Sept. 6, 2019, the Combined Space Operations Center proved they don’t just excel at their tasked space mission; they also charted new territory to protect their most important asset in the inventory, people. While the 24/7 operations floor maintained a watchful eye on the enemy, the CSpOC team turned their attention to resiliency.
  • 2nd Lt. Francis Ambion, 4th Space Launch Squadron Mission Integration Flight electrical engineer, poses for a photo with his family members who are all military veterans

    AF officer continues Filipino family tradition

    It’s easy to forget all the sacrifices our forefathers made. There are impacts that many cultures share with each other, but each has their own distinction and personality. For me, my Filipino heritage boils down to one thing. Family.
  • Trestle Beach at Vandenberg AFB

    6 BEACHES TO ESCAPE THE CALIFORNIA CROWDS

    The California central coast is home to some of the most beautiful coastline in the world. Highway 1, the most western highway in the continental United States, is internationally recognized as a road trip destination. This is where we live and I’m not sure about you, but I cannot believe my luck. The Pacific Coast Highway brings travelers from across the world right past my front door. What those travelers don’t have the privilege to see is our private coastline. Members of Vandenberg Air Force Base get exclusive, tourist-free access to some of that legendary central coast shoreline. It’s not the bikini-friendly beaches of Southern California—often envisioned by out-of-towners—but it is protected, wild, and largely untouched by human development. This is something crowded, Southern California beaches cannot boast. If you’re looking for tranquility, you’ll find it on Vandenberg.

  • Set Goals, Not Resolutions in 2019!

    Every year, we set resolutions for the new year – the most popular resolutions include losing weight, paying off debt, saving money, exercising more, and quitting smoking. While we select these resolutions with the best of intentions, most New Year’s resolutions are forgotten and left to the wayside by upcoming spring. Why is this? According to
  • The 381st Training Group celebrated its 76th birthday, Nov. 7, 2018 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The 381st TRG is the gateway into the U.S. Air Force for Airmen entering the space, missile, or missile maintenance career fields.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Clayton Wear/Released)

    381st Training Group – 76 Years of Warfighter Heritage

    Seventy six years ago, our unit’s heritage of warfighters began in Gowen Field, Idaho, when the 381st Bombardment Group was activated on Nov. 3, 1942. Assigned under the 8th Air Force to fight in World War II’s European–African–Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater, the airmen of the 381st flew to battle in the legendary B-17 “Flying Fortresses,” a hulking
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