Welcome

Welcome to Vandenberg
Welcome to Vandenberg Air Force Base, home of the 30th Space Wing. Our men and women operate the Western Range and manage the Department of Defense's space and missile testing programs, placing satellites into near-polar orbit from the West Coast. We also support the Air Force's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test launch program. Located along the beautiful Central California coast and surrounded by mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean, our people enjoy a quality of life unmatched anywhere else.

Sponsorship Program
Personnel are advised to use Vandenberg's Individualized Newcomer Treatment and Orientation Program when they receive permanent change-of-station orders here. The program ensures a smooth transition and assists with orientation and scheduling. Newcomers are encouraged to complete all leave and permissive temporary duty for house hunting before signing in to the base. Try to give your sponsor a firm arrival time so he can assist you upon arrival. If you do not have a sponsor, or would like more information, call (805) 606-7681.

Upon arriving at Vandenberg, you will begin in-processing at the base. For more information on in-processing, call (805) 606-7756, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At Vandenberg, Military Personnel Flight Customer Service is in Building 11777, Room C-114.

Vandenberg AFB Telephone System
To reach any Vandenberg facility from an off-base telephone, including base housing telephones, dial (805), then dial the seven-digit extension. When using on-base government telephones, dial the seven-digit extension. Defense Switched Network prefixes for Vandenberg are 275 or 276.

Forwarding Address
Forward mail to: PSC Box 2000, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437-5000. If you are married and do not expect to live on base, you can use the General Delivery address until you establish a permanent local address. Reserve a Postal Service Center box number up to 90 days in advance by furnishing a copy of your orders to your sponsor.

Lodging
The Vandenberg Lodging Office, Building 13005 on Oregon Avenue, is open 24 hours a day. Reservation requests for families in permanent change-of-station status are made on a first-come, first-served basis. The staff confirms reservations if space is available. Make reservation requests early. Incoming and outgoing families are entitled up to 30 days of lodging if space is available. The lodging number is (805) 606-1844.

House Hunting Permissive TDY
Contact your gaining unit for details before visiting the local area prior to your permanent change-of-station move. The governing directive is Air Force Instruction 36-3003 and the office of primary responsibility is the Military Personnel Flight Customer Service Office at (805) 606-7756.

What to Bring
Bring enough uniforms, toiletries and living essentials to meet your needs until your unaccompanied baggage arrives. Your current Military Personnel Flight or Traffic Management Office will brief you regarding items that cannot be shipped. Don't forget to bring along important documents, like marriage and birth certificates, legal, immunization records, insurance policies, banking and military documents, etc.

Getting to Vandenberg
Vandenberg is 68 miles north of Santa Barbara. The base's nearest cities are Lompoc, which is seven miles southeast, and Santa Maria, which is 17 miles northeast. If you drive to Vandenberg from the north, you should take U.S. Highway 101 around Santa Maria to the Clark Street exit on the southeast end of town. Take Clark Street west to the California Highway 135 Interchange South. Three miles south, Highway 135 joins State Highway 1. Highway 1 forks right and is clearly marked as the Vandenberg exit. You arrive at the Vandenberg Main Gate and Visitor Control Center after a 10-mile drive. Visitor Control Center hours are seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The telephone number is (805) 606-7662.

From the south, take Highway 101 to the State Highway 1 turnoff, approximately 30 miles north of Santa Barbara. Take Highway 1 northwest 21 miles to Lompoc. Follow the Highway 1 road signs through Lompoc and on to Vandenberg. (Don't turn off at the VAFB Lompoc Gate/U.S. Penitentiary Exit. Continue on Highway 1 to the Vandenberg Main Gate and California Boulevard.)

The closest commercial airports are in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. You can catch commuter flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Santa Barbara to the Santa Maria Municipal Airport. Have your sponsor meet you, or you can take a commercial taxi to the base. This is a reimbursable expense. Greyhound Bus Lines stop regularly at the main gate from its Lompoc and Santa Maria stations.

24-Hour Arrival Point
The Vandenberg Lodging Reception Desk, Building 13005, has been designated the base's 24-hour arrival point. To reach the lodging from the main gate, proceed on California Boulevard to the first fork in the road and bear right onto Oregon Avenue. Go through the stop sign and lodging is clearly identified on the left approximately one-half block away.

Checking In
After checking in at lodging, you should contact your sponsor and check in with your unit. Further in-processing procedures will be explained at Military Personnel Flight Customer Service.

Military Family Housing
Homes here are two, three and four bedroom single-family homes equipped with full-size washer and dryer hook-ups, gas stove, refrigerator, garbage disposal, dishwasher, one- and two-car garages and privacy fencing. A few other home amenities include cable, Internet and phone-ready service, ceiling fans, overhead lighting and landscaping service. In addition, some utilities are included and there are no security deposits, application fees, pet deposits or monthly pet rent. All ranks may apply for privatized housing by visiting the Balfour Beatty Communities at http://www.vandenbergfamilyhousing.com. Simply fill out the Balfour Beatty Communities application and fax the application along with a copy of your orders to DSN 276-7699 or (805) 606-7699. Your application will be verified by the Housing Management Office and forwarded to BBC to be placed on their waiting list.

If you are interested in local community rentals, you may visit http://www.AHRN.com for apartments, townhomes, condos and houses in the local area. AHRN (Automated Housing Referral Network) is a DoD-sponsored web-based referral system free to servicemembers and property managers. If you have any questions, call the Housing Management Office, (805) 606-1840/3434.

Firearm Registration
All firearms stored or used on base must be registered on base. People residing in dormitory quarters or billeting must store their firearms in the security forces armory, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Weapons registration must be accomplished the first day the weapon is in your possession on base. The registration form, Air Force Form 1314, Firearms Registration, and DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms and Ammunition, is available at all unit orderly rooms. Weapons storage and registration requirements are outlined in Vandenberg Instructions SFOI 36-2226 and 30 SWI 31-101 (Chapter 14).

Pet Care
Pets residing on base must have a current rabies vaccine. Pet owners are encouraged to contact Balfour Beatty Communities at (805) 734-1445 with questions about pet restrictions in BBC homes.

Pets are not allowed in any base temporary lodging facility. Annual DHLPP and FVRCP vaccinations are highly recommended. Please visit or call the U.S. Army Veterinary Services Clinic at USAF Hospital/SGV, Building 11190, (805) 606-3019, to ensure California's Department of Health Services recognizes your pet's type of rabies vaccine. Veterinary clinic appointments are required for vaccines and sick call. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Children younger than 12 years old are not allowed in the clinic. Security forces personnel will pick up stray pets without an identification tag and transport the strays to the Security Forces Stray Animal Facility for a short period before they are transported to the Lompoc Animal Shelter. Stray pets should be reported to security forces, who will make every effort to locate the owner. The Security Forces Control Center may be contacted by calling (805) 606-3911. For more information concerning pet control policies, contact Security Forces Reports and Analysis at (805) 605-0765 or DSN 275-0765.

Household Goods
Shipments
As soon as possible after arriving, contact the inbound personal property section of the Traffic Management Office in Building 11777, Room C-103, (805) 606-1848, to have your household goods and hold baggage delivered. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

When your household goods or hold baggage arrive, you will be contacted if you have provided a contact phone number. Someone must be at the place of delivery between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the delivery date. If a conflict arises, reschedule in advance. You will be billed for an attempted delivery if no one is available at the place of delivery. Have a copy of your inventory handy to check each item being unloaded. Annotate all damaged or missing items on the Department of Defense Form 1840 to file a claim, if necessary.

You are authorized to store household goods determined by the housing manager to be impractical or unsuitable for use in the particular quarters assigned. You must request storage of items and a list must be submitted within 30 days of the date of quarter's assignment. The carrier is required to unpack everything and remove all paper and packing materials, if requested by the member. Do not accept any excuses if you wish to have your household goods/hold baggage unpacked. Call the quality control inspector if you encounter any problems. If you wish to unpack any or all of your property, you may be required to sign a waiver to assume the responsibility for disposing of the packing materials.

Questions concerning delivery of your household goods/hold baggage should be referred to the quality control inspector at (805) 606-0906.

The office of primary responsibility for personal property shipments is the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron representative at Building 11777, Room C-104, (805) 606-6931. If your moving company would not allow certain hazardous materials to be shipped, Vandenberg operates a household hazardous materials diversion center. At the diversion center, you can pick up any items available for free. Typical items include propane cylinders, household bug spray, cleaning supplies, lawn and garden supplies, paint and other similar items. These items were left at the diversion center when other Vandenberg employees were moved and these items could not be moved. For more information, please contact the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight at commercial (805) 275-0544.

Entering Vandenberg AFB
All large commercial vehicles (any vehicle used to transport consumer products or services, 15 passenger vans or larger and enclosed trailers) must enter through the Lompoc Gate to be searched. In the event the Lompoc Gate is closed, they must enter through the Solvang Gate. Retired active duty personnel holding DD Form 2 series cards or active-duty personnel with a Common Access Card in a privately-owned recreational vehicle requesting access to the installation will follow the same procedures as other large vehicles.

General Information
Climate
For 10 months each year, the Pacific Ocean keeps our average high temperature at 60 to 65 degrees and the average low at 40 to 50 degrees. September and October are our warmest months with an average high of 75 degrees. Vandenberg experiences heavy fog in the summer.

Local Traffic Conditions
Vandenberg is teeming with wildlife, and fog poses a major traffic concern here during the summer months, requiring drivers to use defensive driving skills. Drivers must be alert for wildlife at all times. Deer and other animals roam freely here. The office of primary responsibility for traffic safety is the 30th Space Wing Ground Safety office, Building 7015, third floor, (805) 606-1842.

Time Zone
Vandenberg is in the Pacific Time Zone. California observes Daylight Savings Time from mid-March until early November. Set your clock one hour ahead in March, and set it one hour back in November.

Base Population
Vandenberg supports a population of nearly 15,000 (military, family members, contractors and civilian employees).

Available Transportation
Commercial transportation options such as taxi services and bus lines are listed in local telephone books.

Facilities for the Disabled
Representatives at any base facility that is not accessible to the disabled may be contacted to provide special assistance as needed. The following facilities are accessible to the disabled: youth center, commissary, base exchange, shoppette, pass and registration, library, hospital, dental clinic, post office, Coast Hills Credit Union, Minuteman Theater and the bowling center. The first floors of the military personnel flight and accounting and finance offices are also accessible.

Financial Assistance
The Finance Customer Call Center may be reached by calling (805) 606-4606/4607. Face-to-face appointments will be made on a case-by-case basis concerning a greater need of service.

Civilian Job Opportunities
The Vandenberg Civilian Personnel Flight provides employment opportunities for federal employees with current career or career-conditional status. Employment opportunities also exist for individuals with no prior federal service experience. Recruiting for these positions is centralized at the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas. To apply for federal jobs, applicants must submit a resume in the format listed at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/afjobs and also must self-nominate under vacancy announcements. Applicants may also visit the website http://www.usajobs.opm.gov for vacancy announcements. An alternate method to receive information is to call the Recruitment Call Center at (800) 699-4473.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service Employment applications may be obtained in Building 10364, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applications may be returned only on Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Employment opportunities also exist for people interested in working as a commissary bagger. People who want to work as baggers need only show up and meet with the head bagger any day the commissary is open.

Non-Appropriated Fund employment applications are handled by the human resources office at Building 11777, Room C-113, (805) 606-8906, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A 24-hour job vacancy recording is available by calling (805) 606-8743.

Off-base employment queries for family members can be directed to the California Employment Development Department at 304 West Carmen Lane in Santa Maria at (805) 922-8373, or by calling toll-free from here or Lompoc at (805) 734-3433.

Volunteer Positions
Many organizations operate with a volunteer staff only. All Vandenberg people are encouraged to volunteer. The larger volunteer organizations here are the American Red Cross, Building 10525, (805) 606-1855; family services, Building 10525, (805) 606-5484; youth center, Building 16170, (805) 606-9374; and the religious education office, Building 16200, (805) 606-7718 or (805) 606-5773.

Vandenberg Spouses' Club
The Vandenberg Spouses' Club is both a charitable and social group which raises funds for scholarships to military family members and for donations to base and community organizations. Members meet at the Pacific Coast Club. Baby-sitting is often available. Membership is open to all spouses of active-duty and retired military members. Contact the VSC at P.O. Box 5514, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437 or call the Pacific Coast Club for the current VSC contact.

Base Beaches
The beaches here are beautiful and definitely worth visiting. Jogging, hiking, picnicking and fishing are just a few of the activities many Vandenberg people enjoy there. Swimming from Vandenberg beaches is authorized on civilian-access beaches only. Personnel accessing Vandenberg's beaches should be aware of restricted bird nesting areas. These areas near the sand dunes and directly adjacent to the beaches are the home and nesting area to one of our nation's threatened birds, the western snowy plover. The following beach rules and tips will ensure continued access and safety for Vandenberg's beach visitors: no camping; no fires on the beach without a permit from the base fire chief; no pets; don't litter—pack out what you bring in; swim and surf at your own risk—there are no lifeguards on duty at Vandenberg's beaches; and if you encounter any sick sea lions, do not approach them, call Fish and Game at (805) 606-6804.

Space and Missile Heritage Center
The Space and Missile Heritage Center preserves and displays artifacts and memorabilia to interpret the evolution of missile and spacelift activity at Vandenberg from the beginning of the Cold War through current non-classified developments in military, commercial and scientific space endeavors. The initial display area is made up of two exhibits, the Chronology of the Cold War and the Evolution of Technology. The exhibits incorporate a combination of launch complex models, launch consoles, rocket engines, re-entry vehicles, and audiovisual and computer displays, as well as hands-on interaction where appropriate. The center will evolve in stages from these initial exhibit areas as restorations of additional facilities are completed. The center, located at Space Launch Complex 10, is open for regularly scheduled tours through the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs office, which can be reached at (805) 606-3595. People with normal base access may contact the center directly at (805) 605-8300.