Key facts
- Five news reporters and two military members were detained at gunpoint at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
- Security officers mistook the group for unauthorized entrants.
- The incident occurred before an invitation-only groundbreaking for a new missile operator training facility.
- The detained individuals were held for over 30 minutes.
- A Space Force spokesperson cited a communication breakdown and security concerns for the incident.
Five news reporters and two members of the military were briefly detained at gunpoint by security officers at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, who mistakenly believed they were unauthorized individuals attempting to enter the facility. The incident occurred on Monday, just before an invitation-only groundbreaking ceremony for a new training facility for missile operators.
Reporters from outlets including Noozhawk, KEYT, KSBY-TV, and the Santa Maria Times/Lompoc Record were among those detained. They were part of a convoy escorted by uniformed public affairs staff when security forces suddenly ordered them out of their vehicles with their hands raised, pointing firearms and activating sirens. Barricades were also erected at the gate.
The two military members, one enlisted and one an officer, were handcuffed and placed in base vehicles, while the civilian reporters were made to sit on a curb. They were held for over 30 minutes, causing them to miss the event. All individuals were eventually released without further incident.
A spokesperson for Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg stated that the incident was a result of a communication breakdown and an increase in unauthorized entry attempts. The spokesperson emphasized that all potential unauthorized presences are treated as legitimate threats until proven otherwise, prioritizing base security. Tom Bolton, Noozhawk's editor in chief, acknowledged the military's security needs but called the event "unfortunate and unnecessary, and potentially dangerous." He expressed hope for a discussion with base leadership to prevent future occurrences.