2026 Vandenberg Space Base Champions

April 28, 2026
Riki Ellison, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) founder and chairman, speaks to a crowd at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., April 21, 2026.

Vandenberg Space Base, California—the Golden Dome of missile defense in the Golden State. On April 21st, 2026, we honored the nation’s best on a base unmatched in its commitment to missile warning, missile defense, and space operations.   

Here are the 2026 Vandenberg Space Base Champion Event Awardees:  

2d Rand Operations Squadron (2 ROPS): Capt Jordan Wilde

Range Operations Commander for the MDA FEM-03 mission at Vandenberg SFB that completed a mission within 77 workdays from concept to launch. FEM-03 facilitated the first time the Western Range supported an operation utilizing a mobile containerized standard missile expeditionary launcher enabling critical capabilities to the Warfighter and a more robust defense of the United States.

Supported Resolute Space 25 by developing procedures for Vandenberg to support a Tactically Responsive Space launch within a 36 hour call up. The table-top exercise led to the development and execution of a Field training exercise supported by both Space Systems Command and Combat Forces Command units and squadrons, culminating in the proof-of-concept of Vandenberg being utilized as a power-projection platform for the Space Domain for current and future conflicts.

Operations Flight Commander leading 11 members in mission integration and range operations. Key lynchpin for enabling VSFB to continue to support its fastest growth in operations in over 50 years!

2d Space Launch Squadron (2 SLS): SSgt Preston Garrison

He guided a 7-member team on the first OCONUS launch training exercise in 14-years, transporting $3M of rocket equipment over 3k miles in support of a $65M USNORTHCOM mission.

He championed 5 major rocket transport and emplacement CONCOPS ensuring the successful launch of a $44M nuclear test vehicle, advancing the $140B next-gen missile program

Mobilized for 45-days to transport rocket equipment to a remote launch site. Completed 15 operations to certify the site for use, establishing the first OCONUS launch location for the Army’s $361M ballistic test program.

Worked 26 hrs in sub-zero temperatures to repair a $2M rocket transport vehicle after it was severely damaged during sea transit; saving the $33M pilot study after it was deemed unsalvageable and keeping the MDA missile test on track.

30th Operations Support Squadron: Spc Angelika Mansanao

Keen Edge 2026: 19 Jan – 4 Feb: Attended biennial, multilateral, Headquarters USINDOPACOM, Japanese Joint Staff (JJS), and Australian Joint Operations Command (JOC)-level command post exercise conducted at JBPHH, HI. Served in the Spaceforce-Indopacom (SFI) S2 component as an intelligence analyst, and covered as senior analyst on two occasions; provided 7x current intel briefs and threat assessments to provide SFI commander, General Denaro, with timely and relevant information to the AOR. 

Team V: Authored & delivered critical “Operation Epic Fury” intelligence brief to 49 SLD 30 commanders & partners; fused CENTCOM AOR data with local threat reports, guaranteeing mission assurance for VSFB’s vital space launch enterprise & safeguarding personnel.

Cyber: Enhanced the Cyber Squadron’s threat picture by integrating supplemental intelligence with active network data; analysis provided crucial context on hostile IPs, empowering operators to bolster defenses & secure VSFB’s space launch enterprise.

10577 SCIF Escort: Assistance has enabled the $4.1M SLD 30 SCIF headquarter communications project to continue without delay, significantly reducing the contract cost for Escorting from $270K to $180K. The project enables the JWICS Café for the SLD 30 Commander and Ops commander; it provides unsecured and secured communications up to the TS/SCI level for the 630th Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) and 30 OSS Intel office.

Missile Defense Agency (MDA): Krystal Carrasco

Coordinates and integrates maintenance activities between Government and contractor elements of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense operational weapon system at Vandenberg SFB (VSFB). Recently Krystal spearheaded an urgent repair task to expediently replace both RIDT Radomes.  If these radomes had failed, it would have resulted in over 1 million dollars damage to the RIDT assets.
 
As the Activity COMSEC subject matter expert, manages the organizational interactions between MDA, contractor Hand Receipt Holders, and COMSEC account owners that support various MDA weapon system development programs.  Krystal oversaw the DoW directed HAIPE firmware upgrades on the multiple COMSEC devices that directly support the operational weapon system.  All firmware upgrades were done well ahead of schedule with no degradation to weapon system availability to the War Fighter.
 
Manages organizational relationships with senior Space Force leaders at Vandenberg SFB to stimulate customer alliances and forge effective business solutions that foster healthy customer interactions between MDA/GMD and major Space Force Space Lift programs.  Recently Krystal coordinated with the 30th Security Forces to initiate a Counter Drone Education Program for the MDA/GMD staff at Vandenberg.  This priority training served to raise awareness of the VSFB Counter Drone program and gave the GMD staff instructions on how to spot and report unauthorized drone activity within the installation boundaries.