U.S. Space Force Reactivates 4th Space Launch Squadron at Vandenberg

On July 31 2026 the U.S. Space Force reactivated the 4th Space Launch Squadron at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The activation ceremony was led by Space Launch Delta 30 commander Col. James T. Horne III, who uncased the unit’s colors and transferred command to Lt. Col. Kyle Rowland. The squadron, first formed in 1994, had previously operated Titan IV, Delta IV, Atlas V and Falcon 9 launches before its 1998 inactivation and 2003 reactivation.

Two days earlier, on July 27 2026, Space Launch Delta 45 held a change‑of‑responsibility ceremony at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. Chief Master Sgt. Leomel Abueg succeeded Chief Master Sgt. Charles Apodaca as the delta’s senior enlisted leader, with Delta commander Col. Brian Chatman praising Apodaca’s service and outlining Abueg’s role advising on enlisted readiness and welfare.