Page II., Joseph T. Rockets and Missiles of Vandenburg AFB

On December 16, 1958, a Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile became the first rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB, California. Established from the remnants of a WWII and Korean War training base named Camp Cooke, the USAF selected the location to operationally test intercontinental-range ballistic missiles over the Pacific Ocean. Over the decades, Vandenberg has seen over 1,900 launches of more than 70 varieties of rockets and missiles. This book chronicles the launches by rocket/missile, launchpad location, and payload. Many never-before-seen photographs illustrate the variety of space launch vehicles used to lift national-security satellites into orbit, as well as the operational testing of the missiles used by United States nuclear-alert forces. The launches at Vandenberg helped drive the technological innovation and deterrence that helped the US win the Cold War.

This book records the launches of the various test missiles, the nature of their launch positions and devices, and the payloads they carried. Many never-before-seen photographs illustrate the variety of launch vehicles that have been or are being used to transport national security satellites into orbit, as well as the tests of the missiles used by the US nuclear forces. The missile tests at Vandenberg helped drive the technological development and nuclear deterrence that helped the US win the Cold War.