FReeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California ~ 07 APR 2015

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In the World !! | laurenmarlowe

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

~The FReeper Canteen Presents~

Road Trip: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located 9.2 miles northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).

Vandenberg AFB is a Department of Defense space and missile testing base, with a mission of placing satellites into polar orbit from the West Coast using expendable boosters (Pegasus, Taurus, Minotaur, Atlas V, Delta IV and now SpaceX's Falcon). Wing personnel also support the Service's LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force Development Evaluation program.

The host unit at Vandenberg AFB is the 30th Space Wing. The 30th SW is home to the Western Range, manages Department of Defense space and missile testing, and places satellites into near-polar orbits from the West Coast.

Wing personnel also support the Air Force's Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force Development Test and Evaluation program. The Western Range begins at the coastal boundaries of Vandenberg and extends westward from the California coast to the Western Pacific, including sites in Hawaii. Operations involve dozens of federal and commercial interests.

The 30th Launch Group is responsible for booster and satellite technical oversight and launch processing activities to include launch, integration and test operations. The group consists of an integrated military, civilian and contractor team with more than 250 personnel directly supporting operations from the Western Range.

The 30th Operations Group provides the core capability for West Coast spacelift and range operations. Operations professionals are responsible for operating and maintaining the Western Range for spacelift, missile test launch, aeronautical and space surveillance missions.

Learn More About Vandenberg Air Force Base HERE!!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. 

Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun!

We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity.

We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon.

We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way.

God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always

 

 

[ConorMacNessa]

I did indeed Sally Forth this morning, as is my wont. A beautiful Spring morning here.

We had a good Easter - Mass in the morning - followed by Brunch - bacon, pancakes, etc. For Dinner we had that traditional Easter repast - Lasagna with Garlic Bread - a nice red wine. It was sumptuous! :)

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[June2]

Visited Vandenberg a few times in the 80’s when the Air Force was going to launch shuttles there. Nice place but too cold this Floridian.

[ConorMacNessa]

Laurel MD Train Station, - late afternoon 6 April 2015. Originally constructed 1884 on the B & O Line, now a commuter station on the MARC Camden Line operating between Union Station Washington and Baltimore Camden Yards.

My workday begins and ends here every day - I catch Train 843 at 6:00 a.m. into Washington and return on Train 856 at 5:53 p.m. or Train 858 at 6:55 p.m. There is a great spirit of camaraderie among those who ride the trains.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[ConorMacNessa]

Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!


Missing Man Setting

"Träumerei"
Robert Schumann
(Click)

Never Forget The Brave Men And Women Who
Gave Their Lives To Secure Our Freedom!!

[Aliska]

That’s really neat! Makes for a long day though but may be longer if you had or could drive. The station has charm; it looks like it’s kept neat and tidy. Haven’t ridden the rails for years but used to love to travel by train.

[luvie]

It’s a really nice part of CA. I think I could live in Lompoc or in Santa Maria! Not as frantic as the larger cities along the coast!

[left that other site]

That is a beautiful picture. Did you take that one?

[luvie]

...till they all come home....

[luvie]

Looks like a step back in time! Lovely little station! :)

[SandRat]

Hold someone close

[SkyDancer]

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~ Good Evening! ~

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~ Half Time ~

~

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....Mac snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....ML bags the bronze!!

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, ML!

*HUGS*

I did indeed take it - it is a National Historic Site and a good example of 19th Century RR Station architecture. Laurel is a small town, but it does have a few items of interest.

Today was a beautiful Spring day here and the first day I have had the opportunity to take that photograph, so I waited until all my fellow riders had departed and took it.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[left that other site]

I once took a Harley Trip across Maryland (From Antietam to Gettysburg), and was delighted by the architecture I saw along the way. The people with me kept insisting that we get on the Interstate, but I was really enjoying the ride!

[AZamericonnie]

Laurel MD Train Station

How very charming & historic Conor!

[ConorMacNessa]

I know that area well, ML! It is of great significance to me - my 3 greats grandfather, Cpl. William Murphy fought in both battles - being wounded by shrapnel on Cemetery Ridge during Pickett's Charge.

Mrs. MacNessa and I stayed at a B&B on Antietam Battlefield on the first night of our honeymoon - all those many years ago.

You can blow through it on the Interstate in less than thirty minutes - or you can spend many hours and days seeing what happened there in our Nation's history. On the byways in Maryland and Virginia, there are historical markers almost every mile.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[AZamericonnie]

Please note: The author of tonight’s Road Trip is laurenmarlowe. She is at work.

Are you EVER going to retire Miss Lauren? ;-}

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Connie!

*HUGS*

A few miles south is the Riverdale Station - much smaller but, I believe, of similar vintage and similar architecture.

Such simple, functional and unassuming gems are just not produced in our time.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mini fire put out...I’m beat. Headed home after a short store stop for Mom stuff. Back in a bit.