Construction of the Ronald Reagan Memorial is now underway at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The Air Force began the project with a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 29 at North Base, reports SrA. Stephen Cadette. “This memorial will last for generations of people watching a launch,” said Ron Cortopassi, 30th Space Wing director of staff. “When they come here, they will learn about President Reagan’s contributions to missile defense.” Icon Consulting Group, Inc. won the contract to construct the limestone memorial for $344,200 and is set to complete construction in January 2008. The memorial will feature the bronze bust and plaque unveiled last year.
In the wake of a major Chinese military shakeup, the head of U.S. Space Command warned of China’s “breathtakingly fast” advances in space during visits to Japan and South Korea. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting’s trip to the Indo-Pacific is his first overseas visit since taking command of SPACECOM in January.