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Media held at gunpoint at Vandenberg Space Force Base

August 18, 2026

By KAREN VELIE

A handful of reporters were held at gunpoint yesterday as they attempted to cover the groundbreaking of a new training facility for missile operators at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

As is standard procedure, reporters from KSBY, New Channel, Noozhawk and Santa Maria Times waited, along with two military members, to enter the base. A base minivan driven by public affairs staff then attempted to escort the convoy to the groundbreaking ceremony.

However, an alarm was raised about “gate runners,” prompting security to converge on the convoy. The reporters and military members were ordered to leave their vehicles one by one with their hands up and firearms pointed at them.

Security personnel handcuffed the military members and took them away in a government vehicle while reporters sat on a curb.

The groundbreaking ceremony ended before the reporters were cleared and released.


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14 Comments

They have come a long way in regards to security since 9/11. Before then all one had to do was put a Dominos pizza light on top of your car and you would get waved right through the gate in the 80s/90s.


12

Growing up in Coronado in the 70’s, we used to hop the fence all the time to use the raquetball courts at North Island, until we got caught by MP’s, parents called, etc. But we also used the courts at the Amphib base and never had a problem riding our bikes through the main gate.


3

Sometimes I miss the old days ….. when situations were handled with cool heads and a sense of professionalism and control. Back when ‘ threat assessment’ was a skill forwarded by people who were able to respond in kind and were allowed to use common sense.


8

Since no injuries or death occurred, one could easily ascertain that cool heads and professionalism, had the entire situation under control.


10

Yep – reporters left on the curb instead of ‘shot to pieces’ .. big success ! Praise to the brave security at the space base indeed. No body count this time.


2

Your dog has far more situational awareness, alertness, and knowledge of security issues than you. Leave it to the professionals to determine what perceived threats they want to respond to and in what manner. If VSFB security had actually failed to make a stop of some incursion/threat at the gate, the Central Coast DSA-holes would be braying nonstop like donkeys with TDS.


0

So, heavy security at a highly strategic missile base? This is the headline?


Obviously, the two “escorts” failed to establish communications with the Security Force, who were also, apparently, not informed of this press convoy.


Nothing irregular happened. Security of the base is first and foremost.


20 year ago in Iraq, I would have shot the vehicles to pieces, that attempted to breach my perimeter. These reporters should thank whichever God they love, for watching out for them.


16

This ain’t Riyadh. This would have been cool there 20 years ago. Not today. It’s Lompoc and the press

And there escorts were invited. This is the very definition of SNAFU


1

Disagree; a fake “press convoy” would be a great cover for a terror attack. Guard detail had not been authorized to pass these guys, they reacted appropriately, and would have rightfully faced discipline had they failed to do so.


1

A terror attack in the continental US pulled off with a group of frail white women and a man ? Obviously a suicide raid!

Update: Vandenberg Public Affairs Officer publicly apologizes for “ Overzealous’ action regarding this incident.

Complains of government employees and military personnel’ running ‘. the gate routinely. – A ongoing inhouse problemo.

Watch where you point that thing kid!


-1

Quit stretching reality to try to make your point. You don’t know everyone in that convoy. You do know that a chick in a bhurka was just arrested for an attempt to bomb the NY capitol building today. You do know all about 911. You know about women and children being used to deliver bombs n grenades against US Forces. You have heard of asymmetric warfare. You know the guard detail had orders, and followed them.


You’re just flat wrong about this – accept it.


1

And you don’t know the alert status at that time, or what security alerts or briefings were in play.


It’s easy to say they don’t know their business when you don’t know their business, but wiser to assume they know what they’re doing.


-1

Ahh! But there’s the rub, Brother! I do know their business! – Because it was exactly what I did on bases around Southeast Asia , the Pacific and the Indian Ocean in the late seventies – for years. Even installations with ‘ tactical arsenals’.

Some of it during our first dust up with Iran.

If intelligence had any worthwhile alerts, they would have shut down everything before hand.

All I have at the end of the day is an opinion- just like you.

But is not based on concepts alone….

My opinion stands: Thats why it made news- it was noteworthy. Having seen what I have seen , I’m not willing to give the military or intelligence agencies a blanket pass.

They are staffed with humans that make mistakes just like they do everywhere else!

Peace!


-2

Strong point, fairly made. But if they error, is it best that they do it in the side of caution or risk to those they’re entrusted to protect? I’ve worked (not served) at secure sites, greatly appreciated those that kept me safe, and respected the snap decisions they sometimes had to make. May peace also be on your house.


0