VANDENBERG AFB
SPACE FORCE
Lompoc, CA
United States
VANDENBERG AFB
SPACE FORCE
Lompoc, CA
United States
Vandenberg AFB
Base Essentials
Home of Space Launch Delta 30 and America's West Coast space launch operations on the Central California coast near Lompoc — a Space Force posting with some of the most scenic coastal geography of any military installation.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
SPACE FORCE
Command
USSF
Status
Active
Est.
1941
Acres
99,000
Active Duty
3,500
Civilian
2,500
Population
450,000
Economic Impact
$1.8 billion
Vandenberg AFB History
Named AfterGeneral Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg
Vandenberg Air Force Base on the central California coast was established in 1941 and has been the military's West Coast space launch facility since the late 1950s. Redesignated as Vandenberg Space Force Base, it is home to Space Launch Delta 30 and supports polar orbit launches for military, intelligence, and commercial satellites. The base also conducts ICBM test launches and hosts SpaceX and United Launch Alliance operations. Vandenberg is the only military installation capable of launching satellites into polar orbit from the continental United States, making it indispensable to the nation's space program.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Space Launch Delta 30 (USSF)
—
—
SpaceX / ULA launch operations
—
—
Historic Timeline
1941
Established as Camp Cooke
1958
First Orbital Launch from West Coast
1969
First Minuteman III ICBM Test Launches
2021
Redesignated Vandenberg Space Force Base
—
View Key Moments
(4)
1941
Established as Camp Cooke
The installation opened in 1941 as Camp Cooke, an Army armored and infantry training base on California's central coast. It was transferred to the Air Force in 1957 and renamed Vandenberg AFB in honor of General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the second Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
1958
First Orbital Launch from West Coast
On February 28, 1959, the first successful orbital satellite launch from the West Coast was conducted at Vandenberg — a classified reconnaissance satellite for the Corona program. Vandenberg became the nation's exclusive launch site for polar and sun-synchronous orbits.
1969
First Minuteman III ICBM Test Launches
Vandenberg conducted the first test launches of the Minuteman III ICBM in 1969, establishing its dual role as both a space launch base and the primary test range for U.S. intercontinental ballistic missiles. It remains the only location where Air Force crews conduct operational test launches of Minuteman IIIs.
2021
Redesignated Vandenberg Space Force Base
Vandenberg AFB was redesignated Vandenberg Space Force Base on May 22, 2021, reflecting the transfer of its space launch mission to the U.S. Space Force. The installation now supports commercial, civil, and national security space launches for a growing range of operators.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Vandenberg AFB.
Vandenberg AFB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Vandenberg AFB.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Vandenberg AFB.
Entertainment
Military Save 10% at the Best Italian Restaurant in San Luis Obispo
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21 Restaurants Near Vandenberg AFB (Vandenberg Space Force Base)
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15 Things to Do Around Vandenberg AFB (Now Vandenberg SFB)
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7 Vandenberg AFB Housing Options (Now Vandenberg Space Force Base)
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Vandenberg AFB Welcome Center (Now Vandenberg Space Force Base)
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Vandenberg AFB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
30th Force Support Squadron — Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC)
Phone
(805) 606-3933Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Personnel arriving at Vandenberg SFB report to their unit's Commander Support Staff during duty hours with their PCS package. The CSS schedules all mandatory appointments, including Finance, Medical, Housing, and the mandatory Right Start Newcomer's Orientation. After-hours arrivals report to the Pacific Coast Inn on-base lodging, the 24/7 arrival point.
The mandatory Right Start Newcomer's Orientation covers Vandenberg's space launch mission (Space Launch Delta 30), base services, and Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo area community resources. The A&FRC at (805) 606-3933 coordinates relocation assistance, school liaison, and orientation to the Central California Coast.
Vandenberg SFB is the primary U.S. launch site for polar-orbit and sun-synchronous satellites and is home to the 30th Space Wing / Space Launch Delta 30. Located near Lompoc, California, the surrounding Santa Barbara County area offers outstanding natural beauty, wine country, and proximity to both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Housing costs are high — begin housing research well before your report date.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Vandenberg AFB.
On-post family housing at Vandenberg Space Force Base is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. Given the installation's remote coastal location north of Santa Barbara, on-post housing is popular and demand is steady. The on-post communities offer 2–4 bedroom homes with ocean and Channel Islands views in some areas. Vandenberg SFB is located in Santa Barbara County…
Local Market
$2,800/mo
rent
/
$750,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Vandenberg AFB
130
30% Above National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Vandenberg AFB.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison
4
High Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Vandenberg SFB is on the California Central Coast near Lompoc. The area is beautiful but offers limited choices — most families live in Lompoc, with some in Santa Maria (25 min south) for more amenities. California COL applies; BAH rates are correspondingly high.
Lompoc
Small Town
The default community for Vandenberg — Lompoc is a small city of ~40,000 with solid military infrastructure. Neighborhoods on the north side near the Allan Hancock College area are popular. COL is high by national standards but low for California.
Commute: 10–20 min
Schools: Lompoc Unified School District
Budget-friendly
Families with kids
Single service members
Best commute from California options, military community feel, lower CA prices
Santa Maria
Suburban
More amenities, more restaurants, and a larger housing market than Lompoc. Santa Maria (US-1 south, ~25 min) gives access to major retail corridors and a wider range of neighborhoods. Popular with families wanting more city options.
Commute: 25–30 min
Schools: Santa Maria-Bonita School District / SMJUHSD
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
More amenities, larger housing market, closer to SLO wine country
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Vandenberg AFB.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully taxed
Retirement Pay
Fully taxed
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
California taxes active duty military pay for California legal residents at rates up to 13.3% — among the highest margin…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside California for California income tax purposes. A…
Vehicle Registration
California charges an annual Vehicle License Fee (VLF) and registration fees based on vehicle value. Military members wh…
Property Tax
California's Proposition 13 caps property tax increases at 2% per year once assessed, with initial assessment at purchas…
Pet Policies at Vandenberg AFB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Vandenberg AFB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Vandenberg AFB.
Commissary
1
Vandenberg Space Force Base Commissary
Exchange
BX
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
1
30th Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vandenberg AFB.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Main Gate (Santa Maria Gate) is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Vandenberg AFB.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Vandenberg AFB.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.