Tagged News

• Vandenberg unveils new launch training simulator

  March 24, 2012 3:04 AM

  Vandenberg Air Force Base is showcasing a new tool to give airmen hands-on training before they even step foot on the launch pad. It's called Bogart Bay and was built by members of the 4th Space Launch Squadron at Vandenberg to mirror the inside of a space launch complex. ... more »

• Advanced weather satellite set to launch from Vandenberg Play Video

  October 27, 2011 9:35 PM

  A Delta two rocket is set to blast off early tomorrow morning from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The rocket is scheduled to launch at 2:48 A.M. It will carry NASA's most advanced weather satellite as well as some student projects involving Cal Poly students. The satellite, called NPP, will take... more »

• Fallen Vandenberg airman remembered one year later

  October 5, 2011 9:39 PM

  It was one year ago Wednesday that Vandenberg Air Force Base lost one of its own to the war in Afghanistan. Dan Johnson, 23, was killed by an improvised explosive device. Johnson is the only Vandenberg airman who has died in Afghanistan. October 5th 2010 is a day etched in... more »

• Minuteman III missile launch fails minutes after launch

  July 27, 2011 9:33 PM

  A missile test at Vandenberg Air Force Base this morning ends in failure. Air Force officials say they had to destroy the unarmed Minuteman 3 missile just minutes after launch because of safety concerns. The missile blasted off from the base on time at 3:01 a.m. It was supposed... more »

• SpaceX breaks ground at Vandenberg for world's most powerful rocket

  July 14, 2011 12:50 AM

  A space exploration technology company is renovating an old launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base to make room for the world's most powerful rocket. In April, SpaceX announced its plans to design, build, and launch the Falcon Heavy Rocket. It's the world's largest rocket since the Saturn V... more »

• Vandenberg delays launch of Aquarius satellite

  June 9, 2011 12:22 AM

  Vandenberg's latest launch has been delayed until Friday. The Aquarius satellite was set to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base tomorrow morning at 7:20. It has been delayed until Friday concerns about steering the rocket through high winds in the upper atmosphere. The satellite will be NASA's first attempt to... more »

• Tonight's Vandenberg launch still a go

  April 14, 2011 7:40 PM

  Thursday night's rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base is still a go! An Atlas V rocket is expected to blast off from the base at 9:24p.m. local time Thursday. Vandenberg says it'll be carrying a national security payload for the US Reconnaissance Office. Base officials want to... more »

• Diablo Canyon sending boric acid to crippled Japanese plants

  March 17, 2011 8:23 PM

  It's a huge mission, Diablo Canyon is supplying something critical to help the Japanese cool down its crippled nuclear reactors. The nuclear power plant is sending tons of boric acid. The boric acid will be used at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant. It absorbs free neutrons and will be... more »

• NASA 'devastated' by failed satellite launch from Vandenberg

  March 4, 2011 6:58 PM

  NASA has begun the process of creating a Mishap Investigation Board to figure out what went wrong with Friday morning's launch of an environmental satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Crews who had worked on the Glory satellite mission say they're upset the mission was a failure. "The launch... more »

• Space plane to launch tomorrow from Fla.; will land later at Vandenberg

  March 3, 2011 1:22 PM

  The Air Force is preparing for the upcoming launch of an unmanned orbital test vehicle (OTV) from Florida. The space vehicle will eventually land right in our own backyard. Air Force Rapid Capabilities officials say the launch of the X-37B is set for Friday, March 4th from Cape Canaveral,... more »

• NASA scrubs Friday morning launch window for Taurus XL rocket

  February 24, 2011 12:58 PM

  The launch of a Taurus XL rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base has been postponed another time. This is the fourth rescheduling of the blast off of the Taurus rocket. Launch windows had been planned for early Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings of this week. All of those launch... more »

• Cal Poly project ready for launch at Vandenberg

  February 21, 2011 1:51 PM

  Engineering students at Cal Poly are anxious to see their projects launch into orbit this Wednesday morning from Vandenberg. The Taurus XL rocket will be carrying NASA's Glory satellite along with the Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (PPOD), developed by students at Cal Poly in conjunction with Stanford University. ... more »

• Former astronaut leads the way for Vandenberg

  January 22, 2011 1:14 AM

  A former astronaut is the first woman to land a job as the highest ranking officer there. Major General Susan Helms was promoted to Lieutenant General this morning at a change of command ceremony on base. Helms took over command from Lieutenant General Larry James. She is the new... more »

• First woman takes command at Vandenberg

  January 21, 2011 5:09 PM

  A change of command took place this morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base. After two years, Lieutenant General Larry James, the highest-ranking officer at Vandenberg, passed the torch to Major General Susan Helms. James was in charge of the Joint Fucntion Component Command for Space and the 14th Air... more »

• Mrs. Central Coast takes up the fight against lung cancer

  January 12, 2011 12:01 AM

  A Central Coast woman is using her prize power to raise awareness about lung cancer. Experts say it's the number one cancer killer for both men and women. Christy Bell works at Vandenberg Air Force Base. She is currently Mrs. Central Coast 2010 and is taking her fight to... more »

• Vandenberg missile launch fails

  December 15, 2010 9:54 PM

  The interceptor missile that blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base today failed to hit its target. The missile launched just a few minutes after noon. It was supposed to intercept and destroy a ballistic missile launched from the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific. The multi-million dollar test... more »

• Memorial plaque dedicated to fallen Vandenberg airman

  December 7, 2010 10:20 PM

  A memorial plaque was dedicated Tuesday morning to remember the life of 23-year-old Dan Johnson. The senior airman from Vandenberg was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on October 5th. He was serving his second tour of duty as part of the Air Force bomb squad. ... more »

• Holiday homecoming for Vandenberg airmen

  November 24, 2010 9:21 PM

  Vandenberg airmen are returning home from Afghanistan today, just in time for the holidays. After traveling for 40 hours, Master Sergeant Lori Mills arrived at the Santa Maria Airport this afternoon. She was greeted by co-workers from Vandenberg Public Affairs. Mills served in Afghanistan for six months, working in public... more »

• Vandenberg fire burning on base near old explosives

  October 28, 2010 11:01 PM

  Fire crews says the brush fire has scorched 400 acres, but is weakening. They say the six structures threatened initially are no longer in danger, but there are still some concerns. Firefighters say the fire is burning near a large number of old explosive devices from previous wars. That's... more »

• Body of Vandenberg airman brought home

  October 13, 2010 10:33 PM

  Hundreds gathered at Vandenberg Air Force Base to pay their respects to a fallen hero. Two memorial services were held today to honor the life and service of 23-year-old Daniel Johnson. The senior airman from Vandenberg was killed October 5 by an improvised bomb while serving in Afghanistan as... more »

• Vandenberg upgrades security system

  August 16, 2010 9:36 PM

  Vandenberg Air Force Base began upgrading its security system today. Anyone looking to get in will have to register their I.D. cards in a new database. It's called the Defense Biometric Identification System. The upgraded technology is designed to verify credentials produced by the Department of Defense--using fingerprint and... more »

• 21st Squadron transfers to Vandenberg

  July 30, 2010 9:17 PM

  The closure of an air force station in the bay area has brought some of its staff to a new facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base. 25 positions have been transferred from that unit to a brand new Satellite Operations Facility at Vandenberg. The air force base held a... more »

• 21st Space Operations Squadron moves to VAFB

  July 30, 2010 3:53 PM

  A ribbon cutting ceremony was held this morning at Vandenberg Air Force Base to dedicate the Ellison Onizuka Satellite Operations Facility, which will be home to the 21st Space Operations Squadron. The new building will house staff from the Onizuka Air Force Station in Sunnyvale, California, which officially closed... more »

• Memorial procession honors missing Vandenberg firefighter

  July 1, 2010 9:39 PM

  A memorial service shuts down streets in Ventura to remember a Vandenberg firefighter lost at sea. 32-year-old Sean Fleming disappeared while kayaking off the Gaviota coast June 19th. After an intensive five-day search, only his backpack and kayak turned up. Fleming spent 12 years with the Vandenberg Fire Department... more »

• Upcoming missile launch will set milestone

  June 29, 2010 9:52 PM

  Vandenberg Air Force Base has planned a ballistic missile test flight tomorrow morning, and with it, comes a milestone. The Minuteman III ballistic missile launch will test the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. It will also mark Vandenberg's 1900th liftoff since 1957. "We're constantly looking back and understanding... more »

• Vandenberg leading search for missing kayaker

  June 23, 2010 9:30 PM

  Vandenberg Air Force Base is now leading the search for a missing kayaker who disappeared Saturday afternoon near Gaviota. Both the Coast Guard and Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue teams suspended their searches last night for 32-year -old Sean Fleming. Vandenberg hot shots are conducting ground searches while... more »

• Vandenberg AFB celebrates Earth Day

  April 28, 2010 1:06 PM

  Vandenberg is hosting its 10th Annual Earth Day event on Wednesday. The outdoor fair is sponsored by the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron. There will be live demonstrations, exhibits and information on Vandenberg and local area environmental programs. The Earth Day event will be featured tonight on KSBY News . more »

• Minotaur launch from Vandenberg AFB delayed

  April 21, 2010 11:46 AM

  The launch of a new rocket from Vandenberg Air Force base has been rescheduled for a second time. The Minotaur IV spacelift booster launch has been delayed once again due to poor weather conditions. It's now scheduled to launch Thursday, anytime between noon and 6:00p.m. The rocket will... more »

• Vandenberg Air Force Base delays scheduled launch

  April 20, 2010 2:33 AM

  Vandenberg Air Force Base has delayed the launch of a Minotaur IV rocket, due to forecasted weather. The rocket was set to lift off Tuesday, but it's now been rescheduled for Wednesday, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. The rocket will release a new gliding air vehicle known... more »

• Hurt Locker draws attention to Vandenberg airmen

  March 12, 2010 9:43 PM

  The Hurt Locker , which took home the Oscar for Best Picture has put the spotlight on a division of the military known as the "Explosive Ordinance Disposal" or E.O.D. At Vandenberg Air Force Base, ten airmen are part of the program. When they're not overseas, they're here at... more »

• Vandenberg airmen train for explosive situations

  March 12, 2010 5:09 PM

  Nearly half of all the military personnel who enter the Explosive Ordinance Disposal or EOD program nationwide drop out. There are 10 airmen in an EOD program at Vandenberg Air Force Base. This morning they blew up 20 pounds of C4 to simulate some of the blasts experienced by those... more »

• Inside Look: Vandenberg Airmen train to remove explosives

  March 12, 2010 11:33 AM

  The Hurt Locker grabbed this year's Oscar for Best Picture. The film exposes the inherent dangers found in diffusing explosives in a warzone. At Vandeberg Air Force Base, some airmen go through intense training because one mistake could cost them their lives. Tonight, we'll take a closer look at one... more »

• Delta IV heavy rocket to make debut at Vandenberg AFB

  February 23, 2010 12:19 PM

  A powerful, new rocket is about to make its debut to the media at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The Delta IV Heavy rocket is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in December of this year. It would be the first launch of the Delta IV Heavy rocket... more »

• Vandenberg tests missile, while protesters test police

  January 31, 2010 10:58 PM

  Vandenberg Air Force base launched a missile this afternoon to test its ground-based interceptor system, while protesters outside the base were testing police officers. The long range missile is meant to be intercepted by another missile over the Pacific Ocean, but the interception failed and officials are now investigating... more »

• Vandenberg missile launch set for Sunday

  January 29, 2010 9:10 PM

  Vandenberg Air Force Base will conduct a missile launch Sunday afternoon to test its ground-based interceptor system. The launch will happen between 2 and 5:30 p.m. A target missile will be launched from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. The long-range missile from Vandenberg will attempt to intercept... more »

• "Operation Kids Christmas" held at Vandenberg AFB

  December 5, 2009 6:47 PM

  With lights and sirens blaring, local children are welcomed to Vandenberg Air Force Base for a special holiday event. The focus at Vandenberg Saturday, was on "Operation Kids' Christmas." It's a party held each year for underprivileged children in the community. Each of the 200 kids involved were teamed... more »

• Deadly boating accident off coast of Vandenberg; US Coast Guard gives boating safety tips

  November 25, 2009 1:25 AM

  A 17-year-old is still missing after a deadly boating accident off the coast of Vandenberg. The accident involved three people. It happened just south of Minuteman Beach Monday night around 8 o'clock. Tuesday morning, one survivor was found in the area and the body of another man was discovered. KSBY's... more »

• Fallen Santa Maria man to be honored at Run to Remember Tuesday

  November 10, 2009 6:27 AM

  People continue to run to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. On Tuesday, 19 Marines will be remembered at Vandenberg Air Force Base's "Run to Remember," including Crpl. Joseph Heredia. The Santa Maria man was killed while serving in Iraq in 2004. Each... more »