VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vice President Michael R. Pence and Mrs. Karen Pence met with base leadership, Airmen and their families during a visit July 10, 2019, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Upon his arrival, Pence and the Second Lady were welcomed by Maj. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, 14th Air Force commander, and his wife Tammy, Col. Michael S. Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, and his wife Leslie, Chief Master Sgt. Daryl Hogan, 30th SW command chief, and his wife Talia, and approximately 150 Vandenberg families and friends.
“Vandenberg Air Force Base is honored to host Vice President Pence,” said Col. Michael S. Hough, 30th Space Wing commander. “It means a great deal to all of us here at Vandenberg to be able to share with him some of the amazing and innovative things Team V is doing for the Western Range and space operations.”
Following his arrival, Pence made his way to the Combined Space Operations Center where he was greeted by Whiting and received briefings on the evolution of launch operations at the Western Range and CSpOC operations, which concluded with an all-call to the service men and women of Vandenberg AFB.
“I received a briefing from your senior leadership on a critical data generated here through this brand new Combined Space Operations Center – right effect, right place, right time – where superiority starts for Americans in space,” said Pence. “Rest assured, just as Vandenberg has been at the center of American leadership in space in the years past, I promise Vandenberg is going to be crucial to ensuring American dominance in space for decades to come.”
To conclude his address, Pence thanked the service members and touched on the importance of Vandenberg’s role in protecting space as a warfighting domain.
“All aspects of American space activity come to life here at Vandenberg AFB thanks to men and women like all of you. I really did come here to say thank you,” said Pence. “Never doubt that the work you’re doing here at Vandenberg is vital to our national defense, to America’s dominance in space, to our national security. Believe in your mission and know that the American people believe in you.”