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Commander's Action Line
The Commander's Action Line gives all Airmen a direct link to Col. Nina M. Armagno, the 30th Space Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive points of view on the policies and procedures of the base, as well as discuss safety and security issues. The goal is to provide you with an accurate, timely response.
Colonel Armagno wants your input; however, Airmen should use this tool after coordinating problems or concerns with supervisors, first sergeants or commanders. If you're not satisfied with the response or you are unable to resolve the issue, the Action Line is for you.
Here are some key telephone numbers to keep in mind when trying to resolve an issue:
Inspector General: 605-6366
Medical and Dental: 605-5433
Equal Opportunity: 606-0370
MPF: 606-7499
Law Enforcement Desk: 606-3911
Pass and Registration: 606-1853
Force Support Squadron (incl. Services): 606-6200
Legal: 605-6207
Housing: 606-1840
Wing Safety: 606-5213
CDC: 606-1555
Base Exchange: 734-5521
Commissary: 734-3354
Area Defense Counsel: 606-3627
Finance: 606-4606
Civil Engineer: 606-0010
Civilian Personnel staffing: 606-3641
Civilian employee relations: 606-5847
Base Information: 606-1110
Excellence is the standard, not the goal. Whether performing the mission as blue suiters, civilians, or contractor teams, everyone must have a voice, regardless of rank, to ensure 100-percent mission success.
To submit an Action Line, click the link to the right and fill out the action line form completely. Incomplete forms will not be posted and will not receive responses. To call in an action line, call 606-7850.
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Tangair Road Lane Closure
Question:
I am just looking to see if we could change up the lane that was being closed. Currently the schedule is to have the North bound lane closed from 10 – 11 a.m. with the south-bound lane open for traffic at 25mph. I am not looking to change neither the times, days nor the actual road closure - all I would like to suggest is change the lane you are closing from the north-bound one to the south-bound lane.
By allowing the North Bound lane to be open to traffic we could still receive deliveries and traffic to facilities on this side of the base - these include one-time visits as well as regular occurring visits. These deliveries and visits include (but are not limited to) Fedex, UPS, Amerigas Propane, Aeris Gas, diesel deliveries, mechanical and electrical repair call outs, and foreign national customers who are restricted to a specific route to and from locations, etc. -- these can all be mission essential in nature and cannot always be coordinated 7 days in advance (overnight deliveries, emergency call outs, etc.). And many times these deliveries and visits are scheduled for the morning so that we have the afternoon to work contingencies if needed.
By closing the North bound lane, most organizations will come to the road closure and will turn around and not attempt a delivery/visit until the following day either due to their daily schedule or not knowing how to get to our facility except by Tangair Rd. This could possibly lead to mission and customer delays especially since the road closure is on consecutive days (Tuesday-Thursday).
However, by closing the South bound we only restrict traffic leaving our facility or any other facilities that would use Tangair Rd – 99 percent of the time people traveling South bound on Tangair are leaving the base or heading towards main base for official business. As long as traffic can reach our facility we can then give them directions on how to successfully navigate around the road closure.
Closing the South bound lane and leaving the North bound lane gives everyone, including those using the road for the PT test, more flexibility since we would rarely have to request advance notice to have the road opened. With the North bound lane open, we could basically conduct business as usual even with the PT test being conducted between 10 – 11 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
Response:
Thanks for your feedback and recommendation. 30 FSS received a similar suggestion from another organization and after investigating the issue, has decided to change the lane that is closed for fitness assessment testing as requested. Effective 16 Nov 10, the southbound lane of Tangair Road will be closed from approximately 1000 to 1100 Tuesday through Thursday and the northbound lane speed limit will be reduced to 25 miles per hour.
Steve Tribble
Vandenberg Air Force Base
11/5/2010
Duration of FAMCAMP
Question: Last year the policy for authorized RV owner's length of stay in FAMCAMP is no more than 90 days per year. Three weeks ago I found out that the limit of stay has been removed. The chances of us visiting RV owners getting a pull-thru spot is very very slim to none due to current occupants are homesteading because there's no more restriction. There are even civilians working in the base who are permanently living in their RV. There are occupants with fences and refrigerators around their RV. Are these practices sanctioned by the Services Manager or are these civilians friends of the manager?
Answer: Thank you for expressing your concerns with the new length of stay policy at FamCamp. FamCamp is a revenue-generating activity and the policy was reviewed and rewritten because we have not reached maximum capacity in over 10 years, resulting in lost revenue. There were numerous patrons that had to vacate spaces due to the “old” guidelines when we were actually less than 50 percent of capacity. Listed below is the new policy, which includes a requirement for long-term residents to vacate if we reach 90 percent capacity. This will ensure any patrons traveling through the Vandenberg AFB area will have access to a pull through space.
4.1. Length-of-stay is limited to 30 days in the RV sites from initial check-in date. However, if the campground is at less than a 90 percent occupancy rate, campers may extend their stay every 2 weeks until the FamCamp reaches 100 percent occupancy. A Memorandum of Agreement to move to the dry camp area when 100 percent occupancy is reached is required at initial check-in date. Patrons may place their names on the waiting list on a first come, first served basis.
In response to your concern about fences, please see the restrictions below; if the patron has to vacate the space, the fence has to be taken as well.
3.11. Patrons may set-up a temporary fence for their pets, but may not exceed 36 inches in height, and 6 x 8 feet in length. The temporary fence must be set-up within their R.V. site and be visible.
Your concern about a refrigerator being outside is a very valid concern. It is definitely not within the guidelines for FamCamp and the patron has been directed to remove it. We have worked hard to keep very well-defined guidelines to ensure the area retains a pleasant environment for all of our guests.
Again, thank you for your concern and your interest in Vandenberg’s FamCamp.
MCPO E-9 Rodrigo Garcia
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO
9/30/2010
SLC-8 Road Closure
Question: I am contacting you about the SLC-8 road closure that has severely impacted the recreational access to the Boat House for the last 10 months with no end in sight. This has turned into a very big loss to the base fishermen, divers, surfers, and anyone who enjoyed this area of the base for recreation. Weddings and other planned functions have been cancelled because of this restriction. This road closure affects only a very short part of the road to access the boathouse. Please consider opening this up by doing a small amount of road work on the loop road to Point Arguello light. It takes off just north of the North Access Road to SLC-6 and loops around to the south of SLC-8. It would be a great gesture for Orbital Sciences Corporation to fund this road improvement due to the severe impact their operation has had on base personnel. There could be some consideration of letting people that are going to use the boat house sign in and out of the closure. The booster could be de-stacked if not going to be launched in a short time, or destruct packages disconnected to satisfy safety's concerns. Please consider any or all of this as it is very important to a lot of your people. Due to the UXO closures now and in the future, all available base recreation areas become more valuable.
Answer: The road closure of a fully-stacked Minotaur 4 is driven by Department of Defense explosives safety criteria. These inconveniences are going to occur from time-to-time to meet our primary mission while maintaining personnel safety. Use of the service road is not an option since it introduces significant hazards which cannot be justified through Operational Risk Management.
Retired Tom Gooch
Vandenberg
9/21/2010
Boathouse
I am contacting you about the SLC-8 road closure that has severely impacted the recreational access to the Boat House for the last 10 months with no end in sight. This has turned into a very big loss to the base fishermen, divers, surfers, and anyone who enjoyed this area of the base for recreation. Weddings and other planned functions have been cancelled because of this restriction. This road closure affects only a very short part of the road to access the boathouse. Please consider opening this up by doing a small amount of road work on the loop road to Point Arguello light. It takes off just north of the North Access Road to SLC-6 and loops around to the south of SLC-8. It would be a great gesture for Orbital Sciences Corporation to fund this road improvement due to the severe impact their operation has had on base personnel. There could be some consideration of letting people that are going to use the boat house sign in and out of the closure. The booster could be de-stacked if not going to be launched in a short time, or destruct packages disconnected to satisfy safety's concerns. Please consider any or all of this as it is very important to a lot of your people. Due to the UXO closures now and in the future, all available base recreation areas become more valuable.
retired tom Gooch
vandenberg
9/13/2010
Street lights constantly on
I have noticed that the base has many street lights that are on 24/7. This is a huge waste of money. The base should be using photo cell sensors to turn off during the day.
The areas I have noticed are the worst are Utah, California and New Mexico Avenues, the front and back lot of the commissary and base
exchange.
NA Annonymous
Vandenberg AFB
7/20/2010
Pharmacy prescriptions
Commander, recently a flyer was posted at the hospital pharmacy stating that beginning in August, faxed prescriptions will not be accepted.
This is an inconvenience for retirees who live one to three hours away. We will now have to wait several hours after a long drive for the prescription to be filled.
Also, the pharmacy should be open until 6 p.m. since many retirees are still working fulltime.
Retired George Torbert
Vandenberg AFB
7/20/2010
Gate traffic, sprinkler issues
Question: I work for United Launch Alliance and am frustrated with the traffic jams when trying to leave the base at the end of work. I would like to request that the Titan gate be opened up at 3 p.m. for traffic to exit the base. I have also noticed an issue with sprinklers watering our roadways at night. When I work the night shift, I have to drive on the wrong side of the street to avoid the water from the sprinklers that are not properly positioned. The hard water is bad for the paint job on my truck which I try to keep looking nice. Not only is it bad for my truck, but for the environment as well. The improper watering causes a huge amount of water to be wasted. Please adjust the sprinklers to work properly.
Answer: Unfortunately, opening Titan Gate in the afternoon is not a practical option. Titan Gate is not calculated in the bid schedule of the existing contract with Chenega Integrated Systems - the contractor for our gates. The costs of modifying the existing contract, in addition to the added manpower costs, make this option cost-prohibitive. Nor can our Security Forces secure additional gate openings due to limited manpower. The only viable option is to adjust duty hours to non-peak hours, and to have patience and exercise caution when entering or leaving the installation.
Regarding the sprinklers, thank you for bringing this to our attention. With your help, we have identified the sprinklers that were over-spraying onto roadways along California Blvd and Washington St. The contractor has been contacted and adjustments will be made to direct water flow to the proper area.
NA Sean Jones
Vandenberg AFB
6/15/2010
Handicap Parking
Question: I believe that the base is not providing handicap parking spaces as the law requires. I think that there is inadequate and improperly marked handicap parking at most buildings. I requested that the current handicap parking guidelines are researched to ensure that the base is in compliance.
Answer: The location and number of accessible parking spaces required and their markings/signage in parking lots is determined by standards set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guide dated July 23, 2004.
Parking spaces are evaluated each time a project design for parking is requested (i.e., when parking lots are re-paved or re-striped) or when a concerned patron brings specific deficiencies to our attention. The 30th Civil Engineer Squadron facilities excellence architect then reviews parking layouts to ensure they are in compliance with the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guide.
If you are aware of specific issues/locations, it can be brought to the attention of Mr. Ed Schuler at (805) 605-2965 for assessment and follow through action.
NA Anonymous
Vandenberg AFB
6/15/2010
Wall Beach
Question: Commander, could you change the base policy and allow Wall Beach to be used by all personnel; especially the retirees? The plover season has severely restricted the recreation at the beaches.
Answer: When not closed due to excessive plover-related violations, Wall Beach is available for acceptable forms of recreation by all personnel with access to Vandenberg AFB. However, fishing (or similar take of marine resources) is limited to active duty personnel only. This limitation is consistent with current base policy and our agreement with the State of California on the operation of the Vandenberg State Marine Reserve.
retired military George Torbert
Vandenberg AFB
6/15/2010
Traffic enforcement
Question: Sir, I travel on Ocean Avenue from Lompoc to the base for work Monday through Friday between 7 – 7:30 a.m., and home again from 4 – 4:30 p.m.
Ocean Avenue between the edge of Lompoc and the south gates at Vandenberg's 13th Street is a very dangerous highway. The highway is used by farming equipment, school buses, farm workers parking along the edge, cross traffic at the many intersections, and is often littered with slippery chunks of mud falling off the farm equipment. The majority of the people who travel this route comply with the speed limit and the double yellow lines. There are very few places to pass safely.
During the past year I've seen selfish and outrageous acts with complete disregard for traffic rules and common sense. I've seen many cars passing strings of multiple vehicles at ultra high speeds, which I estimate in the vicinity of 80 to 85 mph, over double yellow lines and actually through intersections. I've been tailgated by some of these individuals and almost run off the road because I'm keeping' it under 60. I very rarely see any traffic enforcement personnel patrolling or using radar on this road.
This highway, under these conditions has distinct potential to be the scene of horrible carnage if these acts aren't brought under control by thorough and consistent patrol. I implore you to please find the resources to station Air Force patrol units within their boundary of patrol. Also, please contact the local sheriff's department and California Highway Patrol for assistance in returning this to a safe road. Men and women should be able to safely go to work and make it home again to have dinner with their families in the afternoon. Thanks for your consideration and help.
Answer: The issue of highway safety is one that has been, and continues to be, closely monitored by both Security Forces and local Law Enforcement. Vandenberg AFB is allowed only a small area of jurisdiction in which we can enforce traffic laws on Highway 246/West Ocean Ave. Unfortunately, our manning constraints restrict us from posting a dedicated patrol in that area. However, our patrols have been making random sweeps of all high traffic areas during the peak morning rush, and have made several stops on West Ocean Ave. at various times throughout the day. We have informed the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol of your concerns; though, their manning is also constrained due to the state and county budget shortfalls. They have expressed their intent to increase coverage of this area based on availability. As a reminder, it is every driver’s responsibility to operate their vehicle in a safe manner, in accordance with the California Vehicle Code and Air Force Instructions while driving on, to, and from the installation.
Civ contractor Jack Durant
Vandenberg AFB
6/15/2010
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