With Space being a paramount national security mission and becoming more vital to defend in the current global competition for World Order, we brought our fourth USC SHIELD Global Space and Deterrence cohort to Vandenberg Space Base California, the nation’s biggest Space Base, to be briefed on Space and Missile Defense in furthering development of their Capstones. USSF Space Launch Delta 30 gave an overview of Space Operations with Vandenberg growing from 37 launches a year – one every 5 days –  to 50 launches a year and could grow to 200 launches in the future.  The USAF 377th Test and Evaluation of the land ICBM Force – the Minuteman III- and the development of the new ICBM the “Sentinel” provided a timely discussion on maintaining reliability of strategic nuclear deterrence. The USAF launches 3 random Minuteman III ICBMS annually from Vandenberg Space base to Kwajalein Atoll to ensure reliability. The Missile Defense Agency led a discussion to the SHEILD Cohort on history and the testing of the current Ground Based Interceptors and the upcoming Next Generation Interceptors which is done in launching from silos (launch facilities) in Vandenberg Space Base to intercept a target ICBM missile from Kwajalein Atoll. The SHIELD cohort visited the Ronald Reagan Missile Viewing Site created by MDAA with Mrs. Nancy Reagan and the United States Government overviewing the Pacific Ocean and the Ground Based Interceptor silos (launch facilities LF). This year marks the 20th year of ICBM Defense – GBI- operations of which Vandenberg Space Base has operational GBIs. All of the United States ICBM defense has been and will continue to be developed and proven from launches from Vandenberg Space Base. Commercial Space Launches are a significant part of Vandenberg Space Operations and one of those operators Firefly launching from Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) briefed the Cohort on cost efficiencies and speed of launch of U.S. Commercial launch providers.  Awareness of the annual Space Launch Race between the United States and China where US is leading, and Vandenberg Space Base plays a prominent role in the continued growth of launches. 

In continuing the significant learning curve of seeing the Hardware and being on the operational Vandenberg Space Base, the SHIELD Cohort joined together in Los Angeles, California at USC for two full academic days of lectures from Neil Siegel, PhD, Berok Khoshnevis, PhD, Rym Kaki, PhD, coupled with presentations and discussions with Lieutenant General Sean Gainey Commanding General, United States Army SMDC/United States Army Forces Strategic Command and Lieutenant General Heath Collins Director of the Missile Defense Agency. Closing the November session at USC with reviewing and refining the SHIELD 4 Capstones as they develop on their path for graduation in April of 2025.