Unmanned aerial vehicles and other tools would be used to help maintain security at Vandenberg Air Force Base after the 76th Helicopter Squadron is shut down, officials said Friday.

“There are a number of assets we have available to conduct surveillance and security operations on the base,” said Col. Andre Lovett, 30th Operations Group commander.

Officials earlier this week confirmed that the 76th Helicopter Squadron would be deactivated Aug. 2, when the remainder of a handful of helicopters will fly to other Space Command bases.

After the rotor aircraft leave Vandenberg, standard protocols are in place to request helicopter support through military channels, if needed, he said.

“If we see a need for additional helicopter support we'll make the formal request to have them come in,” he said. “We'll also employ different types of unmanned aerial vehicles and other security types of assets.”

While the helicopter squadron's mission includes conducting security sweeps from above prior to launches, unfavorable weather sometimes prevented the helicopters from flying during every countdown, Lovett noted.

The unit's Vietnam era aircraft - UH-1N Huey helicopters - and nine personnel will be divided among intercontinental ballistic missile bases in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota, Vandenberg officials said.

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One aircraft already has left, another leaves later this month. The final two depart after the 76th's “inactivation” ceremony on Aug. 2.

Ten other military jobs will be eliminated - those members will be assigned to other slots in the Air Force.

The 76th's contractor, Doss Aviation, will move eight civilians jobs to the other bases; five positions will disappear, officials said.

Overall, the 76th's operations and maintenance budget is $741,700 including flying hours, Vandenberg officials said. Exactly how much money will be saved by the 76th's inactivation remains uncertain.

The inactivation is blamed on severe cutbacks in the Air Force due to the rising costs of U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. A formal confirmation to ax the unit came in April.

The unit has been “a great asset” to the base and surrounding community, Lovett said.

“There's no doubt we're going to feel the void as we transition and as they transition to their new location, but the one thing we know for sure is that the men and women of the 30th Space Wing are poised and ready to do whatever's necessary to ensure we maintain the high level of safety and security for the launch operations we conduct here on the West Coast,” he added

Confirmation of the 76th's demise comes as the unit just recorded its 158th save on July 8 - a stranded 35-year-old hiker who had fallen off a trail in Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco.

Since 1973, crews from Vandenberg Air Force Base's lone aircraft unit have also battled fires, rescued stranded hikers, drowned out protesters speaking at the main gate and been on standby for space shuttle missions such as the recent landing at Edwards Air Force Base.

“As far as my perspective, we are helicopters,” said Maj. Tim Anderson, a former 76th operations officer now serving as the unit's final commander. He will move on to F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., with one of the aircraft after the 76th shuts down.

While he will still get to fly the helicopters, it will be sad to bid farewell to the unit - but understandable in the wake of the Air Force-wide cutbacks, he said.

“It is kind of a bittersweet thing for us because we enjoy flying here,” he added.

Without the handful of helicopters, Vandenberg officially becomes an Air Force base without any aircraft. Its primary mission is to launch satellites aboard rockets, test missiles and train space and missile crews. In its newest role, the base is a home for missile defense system interceptors.

Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or janscully@santamariatimes.com.

July 14, 2007