Vandenberg Space Force Base (KVBG)
Medium airport · Lompoc, California, United States
Airport data
| Name | Vandenberg Space Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KVBG |
| IATA | VBG |
| Elevation | 369 ft (112 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 34°44'14" W 120°35'2" 34.73730, -120.58400 |
| Location | Lompoc, California, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30 | 15,000 ft (4572 m) | 200 ft | CON | Yes |
Vandenberg Space Force Base at a glance
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a medium airport in Lompoc, California, United States, known to airline systems as VBG. The field elevation of 369 ft (112 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KVBG are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 12/30, offers 15,000 ft (4572 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 12 points roughly 120° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KVBG shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Vandenberg Space Force Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field | KSMX | 21 km (11 NM) |
| San Luis County Regional Airport | KSBP | 56 km (30 NM) |
| Santa Barbara Municipal Airport | KSBA | 76 km (41 NM) |
| Paso Robles Municipal Airport | KPRB | 104 km (56 NM) |
| Oxnard Airport | KOXR | 140 km (76 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Vandenberg Space Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 369 ft field elevation of Vandenberg Space Force Base can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Vandenberg Space Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Vandenberg Space Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Vandenberg Space Force Base is KVBG, and its IATA code is VBG. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Vandenberg Space Force Base above sea level?
Vandenberg Space Force Base sits at an elevation of 369 feet (112 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Vandenberg Space Force Base located?
The airport lies at 34.7373, -120.5840 — in Lompoc, California, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field, about 21 km away.
Does KVBG publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KVBG appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Vandenberg Space Force Base?
Vandenberg Space Force Base has one runway. The longest, 12/30, measures 15,000 ft (4572 m) with a CON surface.