300 Defending 300,000,000

California Army National Guard's Det. 1 defends America from adversaries.

By David Loeffler

Vandenberg Space Force Base - The California National Guard’s motto “Always ready, always there” is concretely adhered to the seven California Army National Guardsmen of Detachment 1.

The detachment, a part of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade is located in a windowless, nondescript building in a remote area on Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The team of seven hold the responsibility of operating the Ground Missile Defense launch facilities and supporting equipment in direct support of the Missile Defense Element (MDE) and Fire Direction Centers’ (FDC) missions.

Their mission, described as shooting a bullet with a bullet, is to intercept and destroy incoming ordnance, such as International Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) from adversarial nations.

The 100th Missile Defense Brigade celebrates twenty years of protecting the America public.

Soldiers of a 100th Missile Defense Brigade observe the launching a Ground-Based Interceptor missile from Vandenberg SFB.

Although limited by size, the soldiers of Det. 1 are able to provide 24/7 monitoring, saving and enabling of ordnance chains to deliver Interceptors to the Fire Direction Center. All Soldiers of the unit are members of the California Army National Guard.

Soldiers of a 100th Missile Defense Brigade pose for a photo at the Western Range Operations Control Center on Vandenberg SFB.

Soldiers of a 100th Missile Defense Brigade pose for a photo at the Western Range Operations Control Center on Vandenberg SFB.

On Dec. 11, 2023, the Soldiers of a 100th Missile Defense Brigade demonstrated their capabilities by launching a Ground-Based Interceptor missile from Vandenberg SFB that intercepted and destroyed a simulated missile attack. The test target was an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, or IRBM, launched from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft northwest of the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii. This successful “bullet hitting a bullet” took place in space, mere moments after the missile was launched from over 5,000 miles away.

Soldiers of a 100th Missile Defense Brigade pose for a photo at the Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Site, Vandenberg SFB after the launching of a Ground-Based Interceptor missile that intercepted and destroyed an Intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from over 5000 miles away.

Soldiers of a 100th Missile Defense Brigade pose for a photo at the Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Site, Vandenberg SFB after the launching of a Ground-Based Interceptor missile that intercepted and destroyed an Intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from over 5000 miles away.

“Three hundred defending 300 million is a phrase used to describe the mission of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade,” said Army Capt. Scott Hoffman, 100th MDB Det. 1 commander. “The defenders of Det. 1 here at Vandenberg, who are California National Guardsmen, the Colorado National Guardsmen of the 100th MDB and Alaskan National Guardsmen at Fort Greely, make up roughly 300 soldiers that make up the Ground Missile Defense mission that provide stability and certainty that the national security is protected."

Hoffman, a former enlisted soldier has served on the Ground Missile Defense mission in all three states. He describes his team as dedicated professionals that are always up to the job.

Capt. Scott Hoffman, the 100th Missile Defense Brigade Detachment 1 commander, and Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Orellano prepare to enter an ICBM launch tube.

Capt. Scott Hoffman, the 100th Missile Defense Brigade Detachment 1 commander, and Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Orellano prepare to enter an ICBM launch tube.

“Det. 1 is manned by California Army National Guard Soldiers.” stated Sgt.1st Class Kevin Orellano, who has over nine years with the Ground Missile Defense mission and is one of the few enlisted members that has served in each of the tri-state missions. “Not all of the team members originated from California. Many came from other states to perform the mission and meet the operational needs of the unit. I’m very proud of this team because we do a 24/7-365 mission, and they meet that mission despite the challenges. If I had a message to the American public it would be that they can rest assured that the homeland will be defended.”