At Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, five journalists and two military personnel were temporarily detained at gunpoint by security officers who mistook them for unauthorized intruders. This took place before a groundbreaking ceremony for a new missile operator training facility near Santa Barbara, which required a formal invitation for attendance.
Local news agencies Noozhawk and KEYT were among those involved, and they reported the incident thoroughly. According to a Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs statement to Noozhawk, the situation arose from a communication lapse. The statement noted the base’s recent increase in unauthorized entry attempts, leading to heightened security measures. It emphasized that every unverified presence is considered a potential threat until confirmed otherwise.
The detained journalists and military members, part of a convoy escorted by uniformed public affairs staff in a government van, were suddenly ordered to exit their vehicles with hands raised. Security personnel raised barricades and activated sirens at the gate, with firearms drawn, KEYT reported.
Noozhawk detailed that two military individuals, one enlisted and one a junior officer, were restrained with handcuffs and placed in base vehicles. The civilian reporters, representing agencies like KSBY-TV and the Santa Maria Times/Lompoc Record, were instructed to sit on a curb. Detained for more than 30 minutes, they missed the event but were eventually released without further complications.
Tom Bolton, editor-in-chief of Noozhawk, expressed understanding of the base’s security needs but criticized the response as unfortunate and potentially hazardous due to the use of firearms. Bolton plans to discuss the incident with base leadership later, aiming to avoid similar situations in the future.
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