SecAF visits Vandenberg SFB, views SDA Tranche 1 satellite ahead of launch

Published Sept. 8, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Daekwon Stith and Senior Airman Kevin Hernandez
Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visited Vandenberg Space Force Base Aug. 27-28, to engage with leadership and gain insight into the base’s strategic role in advancing U.S. space capabilities. Upon his arrival, Meink was greeted by Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, U.S. Space Forces – Space commander; and Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component commander, and Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander. The visit included discussions on Vandenberg SFB’s contributions to national security and space operations.

U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, right, Commander, U.S. Space Forces - Space; and United States Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander, Col. James T. Horne III, middle, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, and Lt. Col. Andrew Singleton, 2nd Space Launch Squadron commander, render a salute to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink upon his arrival at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Aug. 27, 2025. During his visit, Meink had the opportunity to meet with leadership across Vandenberg SFB and view the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellites slated to launch from the Vandenberg SFB Spaceport in early September. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Hernandez) — Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, right, commander, U.S. Space Forces - Space; and U.S. Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component commander, Col. James T. Horne III, middle, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, and Lt. Col. Andrew Singleton, 2nd Space Launch Squadron commander, render a salute to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink upon his arrival at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Aug. 27, 2025. During his visit, Meink had the opportunity to meet with leadership across Vandenberg SFB and view the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellites slated to launch from the Vandenberg SFB Spaceport in early September. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Hernandez)

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, left, greets Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, middle, Commander, U.S. Space Forces - Space; and United States Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander, alongside Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, during his visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Aug. 27, 2025. During his visit, Meink received a strategic overview of Vandenberg’s mission and its role in advancing US interests in space. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Hernandez) — Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink greets Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, commander, U.S. Space Forces - Space; and U.S. Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component commander, alongside Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, during his visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. Aug. 27, 2025. During his visit, Meink received a strategic overview of Vandenberg SFB’s mission and its role in advancing U.S. interests in space. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Hernandez)

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink along with Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) pose with Vandenberg SFB leadership in front of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellites at a satellite processing facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28, 2025. Tranche 1 is slated to launch from the Vandenberg Spaceport no earlier than Sept. 10. This will be the first 21 of 126 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites going to low-Earth orbit to deliver next-gen capability to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daekwon Stith) — Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink along with Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) pose with Vandenberg Space Force Base leadership in front of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellites at a satellite processing facility at Vandenberg SFB, Calif., Aug. 28, 2025. Tranche 1 is slated to launch from the Vandenberg Spaceport no earlier than Sept. 10, 2025. This will be the first 21 of 126 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites going to low-Earth orbit to deliver next-gen capability to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daekwon Stith)

During his two-day visit, Meink toured several facilities, including a satellite processing center, where he reviewed the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellite. Tranche 1 is part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, are designed to enhance tactical data delivery, missile threat tracking, and beyond-line-of-sight targeting. The first 21 of 154 Tranche 1 satellites are scheduled to launch from Vandenberg SFB’s spaceport no earlier than Sept. 10, marking a significant milestone in the development of next-generation space capabilities for joint warfighters.

Meink also received a strategic overview of Vandenberg SFB’s mission as the U.S. Space Force’s West Coast Spaceport and Test Range. Leadership briefed him on the base’s role in supporting terrestrial missions and advancing U.S. interests in space.