Boeing Explorer Rocket Group Vandenberg AFB Tour & Campout
March 24-26, 2000
The Boeing Explorer Rocket Group (BSA Explorer Post 526)
conducted its third overnight activity on March 24-26, 2000. This visit to
Vandenberg Air Force Base included tours of missile procedures trainers for the
Minuteman
III and Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missiles and the cruise
missile maintenance training area. The highlight of the weekend was being
on the base for the launch of a Delta II rocket. We also launched
our own
model rockts, and had lots of fun playing basketball in the base gymnasium and
bowling on Saturday night.
Click on any thumbnail picture for a larger image. Text links lead to even LARGER images.
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Here are two pictures of our group taken by Robert Kolski. On the left, we are posing beneath a Minuteman III missile on display near the entrance to the base. On the right, the group is assembled at
the model rocket launch area with Captain Fox. |
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We began the trip by meeting Friday evening at Boeing Canoga Park by the large F-1 engine.
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On the left, Claudia is checking in people as they arrive while Mary checks to make sure that we have all of the required paperwork. On the right, Joe is showing the rocket that he plans to launch at
Vandenberg. |
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At the base, we had to check in at the visitors' center, show our identification, and obtain vehicle passes.
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We were led by Captain Fox (the Scouting Liaison officer for the base) to the old gymnasium where we "camped out" on the floor with three other groups who were visiting the base that same weekend. On
the left, the girls are setting up their area (look how neat they are!), and on the right are the guys. |
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Left: Joel knows how to be comfortable! Right: Some cub scouts from Lompoc showed us their rockets that they planned to launch. Their mission: To launch an egg into the sky and
return it safely to the earth. |
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On Saturday morning, Joe got us started with reveille.
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Breakfast with the enlisted at a base dining facility was inexpensive. Left: Claudia and Charles wait in the checkout line with an enlistedman with his M16 rifle. Right:
Chris almost looks like he fits in with his camoflauge coat! |
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Our tour consisted of an inside look at the MPT's (Missile Procedures Trainers) for the Minuteman III and Peacekeeper missile systems. We were not allowed to take any pictures inside, but here we are
ready to enter the Peacekeeper MPT for a tour by one its trainers. The MPT looks like a shipping container on the outside, and is packed of communications gear, missile control equipment, and living fac
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Over at the cruise missile maintenance training highbay, we were permitted to take pictures. Left: We are given a description of the missiles and how the facility is used
to train its maintenance personnel. Right: Some of our guys pose for a picture in front of a cruise missile. |
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Left: Claudia & Maria in front of the standard cruise missile. Right: Robert In front of a stealth cruise missile.
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After the morning tours, we went to a location over by the weather station to watch a Delta II launch.
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Inspired by the Delta II launch, we went back to the gymnasium where some of us put on the finishing touches to our rockets that we planned to launch on Sunday morning. Left: Claudia helps Oscar make
a cut to the body of his rocket. Right: Oscar's rockets getting their fins attached. |
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Left: After applying paint to his rockets, Oscar showed off the fancy nail coloring he inadvertently applied. Right: Robert shows off his rocket's paint job.
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Amid rockets that appear to be growing from the trees, Claudia applies paint to her rocket.
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While final rocket assembly was going on outside, others (who had their rockets done) spent some time having fun with a basketball loaned to us by Captain Fox.
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After dinner, we went bowling at the base bowling alley. For $1.25 per game (including shoes) this was a very inexpensive way to spend the evening. Right: Look at those
snazzy shoes! |
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Left: Robert and Claudia celebrate a strike! Right: Alex shows his form.
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… and celebrates a strike! Right: Debra clears the pins!!
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On Sunday morning, we launched our rockets. Getting ready to launch on the left are Donna Berwager, Juan Hernandez, Debra Bergman, Joe Berroteran, and Alex Braham
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Left: Donna Berwager Right: V.P. Chris Cambell & Oscar Cordova
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Left: Lesli Blake Right: Robert Kolski
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Left: President Claudia Bonilla Right: Debra Bergman with "The Pres"
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Left: Treasurer Charles Montes Right: Maria Flores
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Left: Jennifer Berwager Right: Ryan Hoggatt & Sarah Baugh
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It's hard to capture the actual rocket launches on camera, but here is some "evidence" of a successful launch! Left: Maria Flores, Jennifer Berwager, Alex Braham & Oscar Cordova looking skyward.
Right: Smoke trail left by a successful launch. See Joel McManus for some great video that he shot that morning! |
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