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By Michael Peterson, Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs / Published May 14, 2021
Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, and Maj. Gen. Deanna Burt, Combined Force Space Component Command commander, unveil Vandenberg's new U.S. Space Force name during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)
Vandenberg Honor Guard members present the colors at the start of a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony, May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Hanah Abercrombie)
Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, furls the 30th Space Wing guidon as the new SLD 30 guidon is unfurled during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)
Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, takes the oath from 2nd Lt Olivia Gilliagham, U.S. Space Force guardian, during a USSF induction ceremony May 14, 2021, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Mastalir's induction to the USSF preceded the redesignation of the 30th Space Wing to SLD 30 in a ceremony that followed. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)
Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, speaks during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)
Maj. Gen. Deanna Burt, Combined Force Space Component Command commander, speaks during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)
Maj. Gen. Deanna Burt, Combined Force Space Component Command commander and Space Operations Command deputy commander, and Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander stand and salute during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony May 14, 2021, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rocio Romo)
Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, accepts the inactivated guidon of 30th Mission Support Group commander Col. Michael Hunsberger, during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. The 30th Operations Group and 30th Mission Support Group were inactivated as part of the transition to the new USSF Delta structure of the SLD 30. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)
Col. Kris Barcomb, 30th Operations Group commander, furls the inactivated 30th OG guidon during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony, May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rocio Romo)
Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, poses with WWII veteran Capt. James Kunkle and his wife Ruth during a base renaming and 30th Space Wing redesignation ceremony May 14, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. The 98 year old Kunkle was made an honorary U.S. Space Force member by Mastalir during the ceremony. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)
Vandenberg Air Force Base was officially renamed Vandenberg Space Force Base during a U.S. Space Force ceremony held at the base parade grounds, May 14, 2021.
“The establishment of the U.S. Space Force is a significant step forward in the recognition of space as a warfighting domain,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, Space Operations Command commander. “Renaming Air Force installations where space operations is the primary mission more closely reflects the overall mission of the base. Renaming these installations is critical to building a distinct culture and identity for the Space Force.”
Maj. Gen. Deanna Burt, Combined Force Space Component Command commander and Space Operations Command deputy commander, was the presiding officer for the renaming ceremony, which also included redesignating the 30th Space Wing as Space Launch Delta 30, a unit of the Space Force aligned under Space Operations Command.
“I am delighted to be with you here today as we take another step in building the structure of our United States Space Force,” said Burt. “For decades, Vandenberg Air Force Base has been a focal point – indeed, in many cases, the starting point for space operations across the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force. It has long been known as “Space Country”, and that moniker is well-earned.”
The 30th Operations Group and 30th Mission Support Group were inactivated as part of the transition to the new USSF Delta structure, with 30th OG commander, Col. Kris Barcomb, and 30th MSG commander, Col. Michael Hunsberger, transitioning to Space Launch Delta 30 vice commanders. Squadrons that were previously under these groups will now report directly to the SLD 30 commander.
“With today’s redesignation, the Space Launch Delta 30 will continue to lead the way to protect and defend our nation’s interests in an increasingly contested, degraded, and operationally limited domain,” said Col. Anthony Mastalir, Space Launch Delta 30 commander. “Since the establishment of the United States Space Force, we have continued to evolve, adapt, and have experienced perpetual change. We are charged to be bold, to think boldly, and to act boldly with agility and sense of purpose.”
Col. Anthony Mastalir and Chief Master Sgt. Jason DeLucy will continue their leadership roles as the new SLD 30 commander and command chief respectively. Mastalir was officially inducted into the U.S. Space Force in a small ceremony before the redesignation.
“I know we can’t do our mission without the contributions of every Airman and Guardian on this installation. It’s just not possible,” said Mastalir. “The success of Space Launch Delta 30 will depend on the continued collaboration across every member of the unit, blue threads and brown threads alike. We will always be Team Vandenberg. Our nation expects that of us, and our profession demands nothing less.”
Vandenberg takes the next step in its space power evolution with a new name reflecting its new parent service branch: Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Mastalir concludes, “Today is more than a ceremony…it is the assumption of a proud and priceless heritage that provides us the foundation to write the course of history. Aim High, Semper Supra!”