Construction in now complete of the new Ellison Onizuka Satellite Operations Facility at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The $40 million facility will house the 21st Space Operations Squadron. The unit is a geographically-separated component of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB, Colo. The squadron manages the Air Force satellite control network. Vandenberg officials held the facility’s dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 30. Prior to relocating to Vandenberg, the 21st SOS operated at Onizuka AFS, Calif., which was officially shuttered on July 28. Vandy’s new facility is named after Col. Ellison Onizuka, an Air Force astronaut who died aboard Space Shuttle Challenger on Jan. 28, 1986. Onizuka’s widow, Lorna, spoke at the dedication ceremony. (Vandenberg report by SrA. Steve Bauer)
Golden Dome Details Begin to Emerge
Dec. 7, 2025
The Golden Dome air and missile defense shield to protect the United States will have some “operational capability” in 2028, the program’s leader said Dec. 6 at the Reagan National Defense Forum.
