Vandenberg AFB Rocket Launches

Launch Date Changed by Air Force!

I am sorry to say that the Air Force just called with word that the two Minuteman launches have been moved back 48 hours.

This means that our group would leave Santa Monica at 0900 this coming Thursday, September 13, pickup passengers in Thousand Oaks at approx 1000, and be back in Santa Monica by approx. 0500 on Friday, September 14. Our tour of the base facilities would start at 1300 on the 13th, with dinner at the Officers Club at 1830.

Please let me know right away if you will not be able to change your schedule so that you can make the trip with us. If you can't make the trip, then your payment will be refunded. If we do not hear from you by 1000 on Monday the 10th, we will assume that you will still be making the trip, and we will not try to sell your seat(s) to others.

Jack Siegal

PS You may reply by Email to jacksiegal@aol.com or phone me during office hours at (310) 395-1427 or over the weekend at (310) 305-2777.

This is an opportunity for members of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica and spouses and/or friends to tour Vandenberg Air Force Base and witness the late night launches of two Minuteman ICBMs on September 13/14. 

We have chartered a luxury bus leaving Santa Monica at about 9:00AM on Thursday, September 13. We also have arranged for a pickup of passengers in the Thousand Oaks area. The bus will be picking up passengers somewhere Between 9:30AM and 10:00AM  off of the Rancho Rd. exit where the 101 freeway meets the 23 freeway. Just exit the 101 freeway at Rancho Rd. and go one block South to the "Cal Park and Ride" lot just off Rancho Road. (For questions on the Thousand Oaks pick up you can contact Larry Maher at work 310-312-3380, home 805-522-5299 or Mobile phone 310-503-3834).

At 1:00PM there will be a full tour of the base and its space launch facilities, including prep buildings and launch pads, etc.  This will last approx. 4 hours.  Following the tour, the group will proceed to the Base Officers Club for a leisurely dinner, followed by the opportunity to watch some evening TV or rest in the lounge until approx. 11:00PM. 

About 11:00PM, the group will proceed to the viewing area near the launch pads to witness the night launching of the two ICBMs, which have a launch window between 1:00AM and 4:00AM.  The area usually has good weather in mid-September, so we should be able to enjoy the usual spectacular sights of night launchings.  Following the launches, we will proceed back to Santa Monica in the early hours of Friday, 9/14. 

Dinner at the Officers Club provides a choice of fish, chicken, beef, ham, and barbecue or regular grill, etc. This includes vegetables, salad and dessert, but not alcoholic beverages, which are to be paid for on an individual basis. We’ll take orders for the entrees in the first week of September. 

For those desiring to join the group, the cost per person for the bus and dinner will be $65.00.  The bus can only hold 50 people, so the first ones who pay will be able to go.  

If you want to take advantage of this rare opportunity, you are urged to sign up and pay NOW.  First paid, first confirmed.  If any questions, contact President Hal Quigley, Vice President George Collins, or Past President Jack Siegal.  Make checks out to “Rotary Club of Santa Monica”.  As soon as your check is received, your participation will be confirmed. 

Note:   If not US citizen, special information is required at least two weeks in advance. 

No children under 10 years of age.  Cameras and binoculars are welcomed.

Back to Past Events