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  • Volunteers help clean up Surf Beach located on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on April 27, 2022. Once a quarter, volunteers gather at a beach on base and clean up litter to protect the environment. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kadielle Shaw)

    Vandenberg's Efforts in Keeping Our Beaches Clean

    Vandenberg Space Force Base is home to multiple beaches with a wide variety of wildlife, plant life and beautiful scenery. With these beaches comes the environmental responsibility to keep them clean and safe not only for the public, but for the planet as well. Staff Sgt. Lacey Dixon, 30th Security Forces Squadron NCOIC of the Visitor Control Center, recently held one of the many beach cleanups Vandenberg members participate in to keep our beaches and the life within them safe.
  • I was about 20 minutes into my surfing session when I looked around and I heard two girls yelling for help. I looked about 100 yards away and all I could see was two young girls coming in and out of the water gasping for air and stuck in a riptide. Senior Airman Juan Carlos Elias Rascon, Space Launch Delta 30 Security Forces Squadron visitor control center technician, aided two children who were caught in a riptide at Pismo Beach, Calif., April 17, 2021. Elias Rascon’s training as a first responder kicked in when he heard the cries of help coming from the children. I started paddling towards the girls. Once I arrived to the spot where the girls were, I could see the fear in their eyes. They must have been 8 or 10 years old. I assured them they will be ok. I couldn’t put both girls on my surf board so I waited for another civilian surfer to come by and to place the second girl on their board. Once both girls were secured, we paddled to shore as fast as we could. Once we got to the shore, we made sure the girls were okay, they went to their family and we went back to the water.

    Airman recounts rescue of children

    I was about 20 minutes into my surfing session when I looked around and I heard two girls yelling for help. I looked about 100 yards away and all I could see was two young girls coming in and out of the water gasping for air and stuck in a riptide. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rocio Romo)
  • Senior Airman William Boyce, 30th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, aided a child who was showing signs of a stroke while visiting the Vandenberg visitors center on Nov. 3, 2021. Boyce’s first responder training came into play when Mrs. Erin Forte asked the visitor center personnel to dial 911 due to her son experiencing a shortness of breath and droopiness on the right side of his face. “I asked the child to sit down in a way that he was comfortable with. This was to make breathing easier for him,” said Boyce. “I also asked the child certain questions to check for strength, respiratory and brain function.” After conducting a quick neuro exam, Boyce got the child to concentrate on him. He asked him about cub scouts because the child was wearing his scout uniform - anything to get the child’s attention away from the situation. “My son is only 10 years old and is on the spectrum, and once everyone starting moving towards him, he became scared,” said Mrs. Forte. “My son said that Senior Airman Boyce was very kind and helpful. It helped him to feel calmer even though it was really scary.” The symptoms eventually passed while Boyce interacted with the child. Shortly after that, first responders and the child’s father, Tech. Sgt. Gregory Forte, arrived to the visitors center. A health assessment was made to ensure the child did not suffer a stroke. Once it was determined that was not the case, it was concluded the child suffered from a severe migraine and the child was taken to the hospital for a further valuation. “I am so grateful for [Boyce’s] quick thinking, kindness, and the care he showed my son during a tense and scary moment for us all,” said Mrs. Forte. “His ability to keep calm and to relate to my son even though he’d just met him was definitely a source of relief for me as a mother.”

    Airman Renders Aid to Child at the Visitor Center

    Senior Airman William Boyce, 30th Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, aided a child who was showing signs of a stroke while visiting the Vandenberg visitors center on Nov. 3, 2021. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rocio Romo)
  • Col. Robert Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander and Col. Kris Barcomb, SLD 30 vice commander, brief Rep. Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee chairman and Congressman Salud Carbajal, 24th Congressional District of California representative, on the base infrastructure at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Oct. 16, 2021. Long and Barcomb gave a tour outside of Space Launch Complex-6 to brief on Vandenberg’s commercial launch capabilities. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rocio Romo)

    House Armed Services Committee Chairman and Congressman Visit Vandenberg

    Col. Robert Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander and Col. Kris Barcomb, SLD 30 vice commander, brief Rep. Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee chairman and Congressman Salud Carbajal, 24th Congressional District of California representative, on the base infrastructure at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Oct. 16, 2021.
  • A local veteran and his son attend the annual Veteran’s Stand Down event at Santa Maria Fair Park in Santa Maria, Calif., October 16, 2021. Hundreds of veterans attend every year and more than $40,000 worth of supplies are given to those in need yearly. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman Kadielle Shaw)

    9th Annual Veteran's Stand Down

    U.S. Space Force Col. Robert Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, talks with one of the volunteers of the Veteran’s Stand Down Day event at Santa Maria Fair Park in Santa Maria, Calif., October 16, 2021. Hundreds of volunteers gather each year for the four-hour event to provide goods and services to local veterans.
  • Skydiver, Kent Lane, speaks to the crowds in the stands at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, California, Sept. 4, 2021. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman First Class Tiarra Sibley)

    Patriotism Soaring Through the Air

    The 78th annual Santa Maria Elks Parade and Rodeo went off soaring in red, white and blue in Santa Maria, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. While celebrating the history and diversity Santa Maria Valley has to offer, people of all ages walked the route of the parade to showcase the many faces throughout the community.
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base members serve breakfast during the 2019 Santa Barbara County Veteran Stand Down event Oct. 19, 2019, in Santa Maria, Calif. During the event, Airmen from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., assisted with serving food, carrying items for veterans and providing assistance in the supplies warehouse.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hanah Abercrombie)

    Once a veteran, always a veteran

    Vandenberg Air Force Base members offered a helping hand during the 2019 Santa Barbara County Veteran Stand Down event Oct. 19, 2019, in Santa Maria, Calif. This annual event is dedicated to helping homeless veterans, veterans and the family of veterans by providing them with an array of services, food and the opportunity to connect with other veterans and active duty members.
  • Col. Michael S. Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, prepares for the 2019 Lompoc Flower Festival Parade June 29, 2019, in Lompoc, Calif.

    67th Annual Lompoc Flower Festival

    Members of Lompoc participate in the 2019 Lompoc Flower Festival Parade June 29, 2019, in Lompoc, Calif. The Annual Flower Festival celebrated the home-town heritage of Lompoc with floats, marching bands, drill teams and representation from other local organizations.
  • Volunteers from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. and Norma Almanza, The Village Chapel Mobile Food Bank creator and event coordinator, pose for a phot after serving food at the mobile food bank Nov. 16, 2018, Vandenberg Village.

    Fighting hunger, one community at a time

    Motivated. Strong-willed. Seeking change and improvement in the local community. These are just are just a few things that describe Norma Almanza, The Village Chapel Mobile Food Bank creator and event coordinator.
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, speaks during the Joint Chamber of Commerce luncheon March 7, 2019, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Base leadership, civic leaders, business owners and community members came together to speak about events and projects that will occur in 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks)

    VAFB boosts community and base partnerships

    Civic leaders, local business owners and base leadership came together for a Joint Chambers of Commerce Luncheon at the Pacific Coast Club here March 7, 2019.
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