The Air Force is studying whether it is economically, environmentally, and politically feasible to extract offshore oil and gas from land sites on Vandenberg AFB, Calif., according to a service release. Air Force Space Command and the Air Force Civil Engineering Center will perform this “opportunity assessment” over the next several months, states the command’s release. If the Air Force deems the drilling to be feasible, service officials may consider an enhanced use lease with a private developer for extraction of the offshore oil and gas. The Air Force’s “primary concern is not affecting” Vandenberg’s space and launch missions, states the July 17 release. Over the past decade, several oil companies and elected state and federal officials have asked the Air Force to consider extended-reach slant drilling from Vandenberg to reach the offshore oil deposits, states the release.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
