LOCATION - USA, Central Coast, California, Vandenberg AFB, near Lompoc and Santa Maria, CA. Lompoc is the closest town, 11 miles from base. This location is considered a high cost area. The base encompasses over 98,000 acres, with 35 miles of pristine coastline stretching along the Pacific Ocean - it is truly a military installation in a national park setting.
HISTORY - Vandenberg AFB is named in honor of the late General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, second Air Force Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and chief architect of today's modern Air Force. In honor of his service to the nation, the aerospace base, formerly Cooke Air Force Base, was renamed Vandenberg AFB on October 4, 1958.
MISSION - The mission of the 30th Space Wing is to defend the United States of America through launch, range, and expeditionary operations. The 30th Space Wing manages Department of Defense space and missile testing, and placing satellites into polar orbit from the West Coast, using expendable boosters. The 381 TRG, Air Education and Training Command, provides quality training to produce the finest space and missile operators and maintainers for our AF and our nation's defense. (Cross reference to topic Major Unit Listings).
POPULATION SERVED - There are 3,040 Air Force personnel assigned, 4,618 family members, 1,010 DoD civilians, 400 contractor personnel, and 82 joint services personnel.
SPONSORSHIP - The newcomer can expect to be contacted by their assigned sponsor in a reasonable amount of time. If the newcomer does not hear from their sponsor it is highly recommended that they become proactive and call their new unit. The sponsor will provide timely, honest, constructive and positive assistance including the sponsor's name, rank, work and home phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The sponsor will contact the newcomer in a timely manner to conduct a needs assessment. They will send a personal letter, unit information, a letter from the Family Support Center, and additional information requested by the newcomer based on the needs assessment. This is a personalized process to assist in a smooth move and fill in the gaps after the member/family reviews the SITES booklet. The sponsor is also expected to greet the newcomer, assist with the settling-in process, orient them to the unit, as well as their family members to VAFB and the community. Newcomers may call the Family Support Center if they experience difficulty in obtaining a sponsor, at DSN: 276-0039, or comm: 805 606-0039.
To forward mail to Vandenberg AFB in advance you may request as address by writing to the Postal Service Center- include: "Your Name", PSC BOX 2000, VANDENBERG AFB CA 93437-6225. You may also request your postal box in advance by calling the Postal Service Center directly with your request. The Postal Service Center DSN is 276-1841. The commercial number is 805 606-1841. The DSN FAX number is 276-3766 or commercial number is 805 606-3766. Your sponsor may also request a postal box by providing the Postal Service Center with a copy of your PC orders or sponsorship RIP.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS - Military members will call 805 606-1844, to make a reservation at the Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) on base. If Lodging is full, the member will be provided a "certificate of non-availability" from the TLF to be authorized to stay off base. TLF will provide a local lodging list at that time.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - The Newcomer's Orientation is held on the last Monday of each month beginning at 0830 at the Pacific Coast Club. Spouses are encouraged to attend as Heart Link, a spouse orientation program, continues in conjunction with the Newcomer's Orientation after the Community Fair. The Loan Locker is available for all PCSing individuals Mon - Fri, 0800 - 1600, at the Family Support Center, (FSC) 706 Washington Ave, Building 10122, on VAFB. The FSC's phone number is 805 606-0039 or DSN: 276-0039.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION - Unexploded ammunition may be found on the base. It is important to inform family members and guests to NOT TOUCH anything that looks suspicious and report it to Explosive Ordinance Disposal at 605-1374, during duty hours, or 606-9961 during non-duty hours. This information is briefed at the Newcomer's Orientation, and spouses are encouraged to attend.
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Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a concern. There is a state-wide quarantine on the harvesting of some shellfish (especially mussels, clams, and oysters) from all California beaches, including those at VAFB, from at least 1 May to 31 Oct each year. This quarantine is in effect because small ocean micro-organisms (dinoflagellates) produce a toxin, especially during the warmer summer months. This nerve toxin is NOT destroyed by cooking. Eating shellfish containing the poison (even a single shellfish) can result in a fatal illness.