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Vandenberg Space Base Champions 

April 29, 2025
MDAA Ronald Reagan Memorial, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

Vandenberg Space Force Base, California—the Golden Dome of missile defense in the Golden State. Against the inspiring backdrop of the Pacific and under the watchful gaze of the “Gipper,” we honored the Nation’s best—our top Missile Defender and Missile Warner of the Year—on a base unmatched in its commitment to missile warning, missile defense, and space operations.  

This day held powerful meaning as we gathered at the Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Memorial, a visionary project designed and brought to life by MDAA with support from across the political aisle, including the late Senators Ted Stevens and Daniel Inouye. The memorial—shaped by Reagan’s legacy and crafted with the help of Nancy Reagan and renowned architect Bobby Woods—stands as a testament to American resolve to defend and deter through strength. Its presence served as the perfect setting to recognize the excellence of Vandenberg’s Guardians, Airmen, and Soldiers who serve on this historic and critical mission.  

In concert with LTG Sean Gainey and CSM John Foley, we brought together our Joint Team of Missile Defense and Missile Warning—united in purpose, unwavering in excellence. We laid out the next great challenge ahead: the Golden Dome initiative. It is here, at this very base, where Reagan’s vision lives on—not just in stone, but in the dedication, innovation, and leadership of those who continue to advance the mission every day.  

This is the Golden Dome in the Golden State.  

It is second to none.  

Here are the 2025 Vandenberg Space Force Base Champion Event Awardees: 

Staff Sargent, Anthony, Vargas, 100th Missile Defense Brigade  

1st Lt, Heath, Pratt, 2 SLS – Space Cowboys  

Addison, Nichols, 30 OSS – LWO FTG-12  

Nate, Lancor, 30 SFS – Security Interface to MDA  

Civilian, Logan, Brown, 2 ROPS – PSM for FTG-12  

MSgt, Kevin, Dunn, 30 LRS – ATF Team  

Civilian, Sarah, Nemeth, SLD 30/SE – SMFCO  

VIPs: 

LTG Sean Gainey, Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command 

Colonel Michael J. Jewell, Deputy Commander, Space Launch Delta 30, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California  

CSM John W. Foley, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command  

Mr. John Rood, MDAA Board of Directors 

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Mission Statement

MDAA’s mission is to make the world safer by advocating for the development and deployment of missile defense systems to defend the United States, its armed forces, and its allies against missile threats.

MDAA is the only organization in existence whose primary mission is to educate the American public about missile defense issues and to recruit, organize, and mobilize proponents to advocate for the critical need of missile defense. We are a non-partisan membership-based and membership-funded organization that does not advocate on behalf of any specific system, technology, architecture or entity.

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