An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 5, 2024

California Army Guard Brigade Works 24/7 to Defend Nation

By David Loeffler, California National Guard

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. - Seven California Army National Guard members of Detachment 1, 100th Missile Defense Brigade, epitomize the National Guard’s motto, “Always ready, always there.”

The detachment, located in a windowless, nondescript building in a remote area, operates the Ground Missile Defense launch facilities and equipment to support the Missile Defense Element and Fire Direction Center.

Their mission, described as shooting a bullet with a bullet, is to intercept and destroy incoming ordnance, such as International Continental Ballistic Missiles from adversarial nations.

Although limited by size, the Soldiers of Detachment 1 can provide 24/7 monitoring, saving and enabling of ordnance chains to deliver Interceptors to the Fire Direction Center. All Soldiers of the unit are members of the California Army National Guard.

On Dec. 11, the Soldiers demonstrated their capabilities by launching a Ground-Based Interceptor missile from Vandenberg SFB that intercepted and destroyed a simulated missile attack. The test target was an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, or IRBM, launched from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft northwest of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii. This successful “bullet hitting a bullet” took place in space, mere moments after the missile was launched from over 5,000 miles away.

“Three hundred defending 300 million is a phrase used to describe the mission of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade,” said Army Capt. Scott Hoffman, 100th MDB Detachment 1 commander. “The defenders of Det. 1 here at Vandenberg, who are California National Guardsmen, the Colorado National Guardsmen of the 100th MDB, and Alaskan National Guardsmen at Fort Greely, make up roughly 300 Soldiers that make up the Ground Missile Defense mission that provide stability and certainty that the national security is protected."

Hoffman, a former enlisted Soldier, has served on the Ground Missile Defense mission in all three states. He describes his team as dedicated professionals who are always up to the job.

“Det. 1 is manned by California Army National Guard Soldiers,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Orellano, one of the few enlisted members who has served in each of the tristate missions. “Not all of the team members originated from California. Many came from other states to perform the mission and meet the operational needs of the unit. I’m very proud of this team because we do a 24/7-365 mission, and they meet that mission despite the challenges. If I had a message to the American public, it would be that they can rest assured that the homeland will be defended.”

 

 

Related Articles
The 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, marks the arrival of its new helicopter, a U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II, Jan. 31, 2025, at Moffett Air National Guard Base near Mountain View, California. The wing is from HH-60G Pave Hawk model helicopters.
California Air Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing Upgrading Aircraft
By Senior Airman Serena Smith, | Feb. 14, 2025
MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif.- The U.S. Air Force 129th Rescue Wing is replacing the HH-60G Pave Hawk with six newer HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters.The first two helicopters arrived this month and the wing plans...

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, the 23rd director of the Army National Guard, and his wife, Jane, attend retired Lt. Gen. Herbert Temple's funeral in Cathedral City, Calif., Jan. 24, 2025. Stubbs gave a eulogy to friends and family of Temple at his memorial service.
National Guard Leaders Bid Farewell to Former Chief
By Sgt. 1st Class Daisy Broker, | Feb. 11, 2025
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Retired Army Lt. Gen. Herbert R. Temple Jr. , former chief of the National Guard Bureau, was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery Jan. 24 during a ceremony befitting his long and faithful service to...

U.S. Army Sgt. Bryce Carter, an infantryman with C Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, California Army National Guard, sharpens the blade of a hoe to clear brush and other debris as part of remediation efforts along the Mulholland Trail near Tarzana, California, in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, Jan. 18, 2025. Carter and other members of his unit were assisting CALFIRE in mop-up efforts, which included clearing brush and backfilling firebreaks and other areas to prevent mudslides and reduce the impact of firefighting efforts.
National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response
By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, | Jan. 21, 2025
LOS ANGELES – U.S. Army Sgt. Ricardo Hernandez watched from a cross street as sporadic traffic passed on the Pacific Coast Highway near Pacific Palisades. The late afternoon sun glinted off his sunglasses as a man on a...