National Meeting 2024 Buellton, California

Following the incredible tour at the Western Range Operations Control Center we were all treated to a fantastic lunch of barbecue pulled pork. The sauce they had to go with the pulled pork was out of this world.

Eating in the Maintenance High Bay made it possible to have two Payload Transporters parked in the bay with us. Given this was the only part of the base tour one was allowed access to their electronic devices, phones and cameras, pictures were definitely taken while having lunch.

After lunch we hopped back onto our designated buses (Go Green!) and were then taken to our final stop, the Integrated Launch Support Center, which is a part of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group - 377 TEG. At this building, we were treated to an introduction to the Telemetry Center, where our host, a retired Air Force personnel who has been a part of the Telemetry Center for years, shared with us what exactly the Telemetry Center does.

This author believes that the name of our host in the Telemetry Center was Mark, but this author is not completely certain. If someone knows what this gentleman's name is, please contact this author with that information.

Using CGI imagery on the computer monitors (again, dozens of computer monitors and computer data bases were interpersed throughout the room - the computer and defense industries both benefit greatly from one another) Mark showed us how their primary purpose of watching, recording and analyzing each of the Minuteman III launches at Vandenberg is conducted.

The Telemetry Center is used to observe, record and analyze other launches at Vandenberg as well.

Mark had a 18 inch tall model of a Minuteman III missile, which pulls apart into its respective stages, to demonstrate what the Telemetry team is looking for and what specifically they are looking for in the various stages of that missile's launch.

If there are any anomolies, problems, glitches or anything that is not a part of a "normal" launch, the Telemetry team observes it, and can go back and review their recorded data to identify any problems or issues. The results of these observations are then incorporated into any and all future launches to assure those launches are provided a higher likelihood of an error free, successful launch.

All of this is part of a greater whole to assuring that the Minuteman III missile is at its optimum and if need be, when it is called upon to launch in the future, there is a high degree of probability that the launch will be successful. The importance and magnitude of designing, maintaining and implementing these multifaceted programs is mind numbing. While sitting there taking in Mark's presentation as a whole, it was truly overwhelming with how significant the magnitude of the science they are using with all of this, and how serious (rightfully so) the whole program is taken. Being able to take this all in with your eyes and ears was profound.

Having the Integrated Launch Support Building at the 377th TEG our last stop just capitalized on this incredible tour as a whole. One certainly benefits by being there with helping grasp the magnitude of it all. For lack a better word, wow.

The tour of Vandenberg as a whole was absolutely phenomenal. From the start of our day at the morning briefing, to finishing up at the Integrated Launch Support Center it all was incredibly well done.

This author is an advocate for the Association of Air Force Missileers. Having the ability to attend these AAFM National Meetings that are held every two years, and being provided the opportunity to experience these high caliber tours, is absolutely incredible. All members of AAFM are welcome. You do not have to have been in the military to join AAFM.

If you are currently a member of AAFM and have not attended a National Meeting, we would love to have you join us.

The Association of Air Force Missileers general members meeting primarily focused on the Missile Community Cancer Study.

Colonel Richard Speakman, Commander of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, as well as Colonel Gregory Coleman, the Surgeon General Air Force Global Strike Command both presented their latest findings within the Missile Community Cancer Study. They also took questions following their presentation.

See below for a link to the online Missile Community Cancer Study.

Colonel Danny Sebeck also presented his research into the study of cancer found in missileers over the years. Colonely Sebeck helped put together the Torchlight Initiative in response to an alarming rate of missileers contracting cancer.

Colonel Sebeck brought a personal element to his presentation, given that he was uncertain if he was going to live one year prior to this presentation. You see, Colonel Sebeck is also an Air Force missileer who was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma 2 years ago.

Cancer has impacted so many people, and the probability of a majority of individuals who are visiting this web page, these individuals have at least one or more people in their life that have had cancer.

Seeing photos of the Airman, family members, spouses, children, and friends all impacted by NHL drove home the point of how serious the cancer impacting missileers truly is. As difficult as it was seeing those impacted and emphasizing with the intensity and profound experience of loss, it was important to see. In addition to making this information available and being provided the resources to act.

Both presentations, the first coming from Colonel (Doctor) Richard Speakman and Colonel (Doctor) Gregory Coleman, as well as Colonel Danny Sebeck were very informative. As intensely serious this topic of discussion was, both presentations were excellent.

This author strongly encourages anyone and everyone reading this text to go to the web links provided below, and educate yourself further. Please pass this information to any and all that you might know who can use this information, so they are not alone, and are provided the important tools to address this issue.

Time is of the utmost essence.

This website author is not only intensely interested in all things related to missiles, but has been a car geek for decades before getting bitten by the missile bug. Thus these two fine automobiles that are included in the photos below.

The banquet Saturday evening was well attended. It was a full house with us all gathered together to celebrate this 2024 National Meeting, as well as acknowledging and honoring those missileers who gave so much to their families, the Air Force and to their country.

The theme of the banquet was the Air Force Missileers Hall Of Fame Banquet. At the end of our dinner we got to experience an awesome speaker, just prior to the Missileers Hall Of Fame ceremony.

Major General Stacy Jo Huser, commander of the 20th Air Force wowed us all with sharing about her personal life and how the Air Force has impacted her and her family. General Huser is infectiously charismatic and one can easily and clearly see how she has excelled throughout her career in the Air Force.

General Huser was instrumental in having a number of active Airman from FE Warren AFB and Minot AFB attend the entire National Meeting with us there in Buellton, California, October 23 through October 27, 2024.

The rationale behind having these active Airman attend the meeting provided these young Airman the opportunity to come to this meeting and immerse themselves into a more global perspective of what their jobs are about, and what they bring to the table amongst all of the other members of the Air Force.

These Airman were warmly welcomed by many retired Air Force missileers attending the National Meeting and many of these active Airman were able to hear some incredible stories and past history from retired Generals, Colonels, Lieutenants, Chief Master Sergeants and more. It was awesome to experience.

This author also was honored to have been able to have breakfast, lunch and dinner with some of these young Airman, and was able to hear their stories.

Overall, as has been amply stated throughout these two pages, the AAFM National Meeting 2024 was absolutely incredible, and so eye opening.

The final portion of the banquet entailed the Missileer Hall of Fame. Over 18 individuals, some no longer with us, a few who were in attendance, were honored during this ceremony.

It was an excellent ceremony that honored the incredible lives of these Air Force Missileers and all that they accomplished while in the Air Force, as well as how their family members were blessed with those missileers in their lives. Hearing the background of all that these individuals accomplished and the magnitude of how they served in their various roles in the Air Force was astounding. Well done.