Carbajal, Armed Services Committee Chairman Smith Visit Vandenberg Space Force Base

Source: Office of Rep. Carbajal

On Saturday, October 16, Congressman Salud Carbajal and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, visited Vandenberg Space Force Base to discuss the base’s pivotal role in advancing our nation’s military, civil, and commercial space capabilities.

“It was an honor to have Chairman Smith at Vandenberg Space Force Base this weekend so he could witness firsthand the important work being done on the Central Coast to enhance our national security and strengthen our economy. Our district is privileged to host the premiere west coast launch site for military, civil, and commercial space operations, and I am proud to have used my seat on the Armed Services Committee to bring home federal resources that help the base fulfill its missions and compete in a 21st century economy,” said Congressman Carbajal. “I will continue working with Chairman Smith to secure federal resources that support the base’s operations and create good-paying jobs for the surrounding community, which will be needed to offset job losses following the coming closure of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.”

“This weekend’s visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base showcased the vital work that our Guardians perform every day in support of our national security space infrastructure, and the close strategic partnerships we have with allies when it comes to combined space operations,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “Vandenberg is central to U.S. military and commercial launch capabilities, a key function that both our national security and economic prosperity rely upon. As we work through this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, I will continue to support the Space Force Range of the Future initiative — which this base will play a vital role in.”

The House has already passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which includes funding and language designed to improve launch infrastructure at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Following Senate passage, the bill is expected to go through a Conference Committee before being enacted into law. Photos of the visit are available here.  

Background:

Congressman Carbajal and Chairman Smith first toured the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC), which plans, integrates, conducts, and assesses global space operations to provide relevant information to theater commanders and partner nations. Military, civil, and commercial cooperation concerning the space domain is vital to our national security, economic, and technological interests and the Combined Force Space Component Command plays a key role in this arena.

Following the briefing on Vandenberg’s CFSCC, the Congressmen visited the base’s Mission Development Zone. This is an unused stretch of land north of Ocean Avenue, which would remain outside the base’s security gates to serve as an enterprise zone. The zone’s location outside of the base will make it more accessible to the surrounding community, academic research institutions, and commercial space companies. A recent study concluded that developing Vandenberg’s commercial launch capabilities could create thousands of new jobs a year for the surrounding community and add billions to the regional economy.

Finally, the Congressmen joined Vandenberg leadership for a tour of the Space Launch Complex 6 launch site. During the visit, the lawmakers discussed the need for federal investment to improve the base’s infrastructure to create additional launch opportunities. Rep. Carbajal has repeatedly advocated for this funding in annual defense bills.

Congressman Carbajal has historically used his seat on the Armed Services Committee to secure federal resources for the base and support the base’s initiatives. The Congressman coordinated with California’s Senators to conduct oversight of the decision to base USSPACECOM headquarters in Alabama as opposed to California or other finalist locations. Most recently, the Congressman advocated for the U.S. Space Force to use Vandenberg as the future headquarters for the Space Training and Readiness Command, or STARCOM, which will be responsible for training space professionals and developing space warfighting doctrine.