An accident at Vandenberg Space Force Base killed a 23-year-old airman on July 16.
The heavy equipment that Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna was operating rolled down an embankment, Vandenberg reported in a news release on July 17. The Santa Barbara Coroner’s Office hasn’t yet determined Eneluna’s cause of death. There were no other personnel injuries.
“Our Vandenberg family is grieving alongside Cedric’s loved ones and his teammates,” Vandenberg commander and U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III said in the statement. “He made a lasting impression on his teammates through his character, dedication, and genuine care for others. On behalf of Team Vandenberg, I extend my deepest condolences to Cedric’s family, friends, and fellow airmen during this incredibly difficult time.”
After spending his childhood in the Philippines, Eneluna came to call Fayetteville, North Carolina, his hometown. His first duty assignment was at Vandenberg, where he arrived in August 2024 just five months after joining the military.
Eneluna was a member of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Pavements and Equipment Flight, which maintains roads and infrastructure for base operations. The group is known as the “Dirt Boyz” because of the nature of their work.
Other teams of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron include emergency response, fire prevention, and explosive hazards disposal. The squadron’s commander, Lt. Col. Seth Poulsen, said in the news release that Eneluna brought out the best in everyone.
“He was always ready to work, always willing to help, and always had a positive attitude,” Poulsen continued. “He truly represented what it means to be an airman.”
No incident like this has occurred on base since the 1970s, a Space Launch Delta 30 spokesperson said in an email interview with the Sun. Officials are conducting a safety investigation to determine the root cause of the accident, and there haven’t been any updates as of July 21.
This article appears in July 23 – July 30, 2026.
