So You Think You Can Spot a Fighter Jet? A Guide to LA's Not-So-Hidden Air Force Base
Ah, Los Angeles. City of dreams, land of celebrities, and...wait, an Air Force base? That's right, folks, nestled between Hollywood and questionable sushi buffets lies a secret (not really) military installation: Los Angeles Air Force Base (LA AFB).
Not Your Grandpa's Fighter Base: Space Age Stuff in the City of Angels
Now, hold on to your pool floats, because this ain't your typical "Top Gun" movie setting. Forget shirtless volleyball games and Goose going down in a fiery mess (too soon?). LA AFB is all about the new frontier: space. Yes, space!
This base is the headquarters of the Space Systems Command (SSC), which basically means they're in charge of all things rockets, satellites, and other cool gadgets that go zoom beyond the atmosphere. Think of them as the Willy Wonkas of warfare, only instead of chocolate rivers, they've got laser beams and astronaut ice cream (probably).
Finding This Elusive Air Base: Easier Than Spotting a Kardashian Without Makeup
Alright, alright, so maybe "hidden" wasn't the best word choice. LA AFB is actually in El Segundo, which is just south of LAX airport. So next time you're stuck in that epic Los Angeles traffic jam, craning your neck to see the runway, look a little further south and you might just catch a glimpse of a satellite dish that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Pro Tip: Don't confuse LA AFB with a random helicopter dropping tourists onto the Hollywood sign. Those are entirely different things (and way less cool).
Fun Facts That Will Make You Sound Smart at Your Next Pool Party
- LA AFB is the only active duty Air Force base in Los Angeles County. So basically, it's the king of the castle (well, the king of military installations, anyway).
- This base provides support to over 200,000 retirees from all branches of the military. So next time you see someone walking their poodle in perfectly pressed khakis, they might be a retired Air Force pilot. Just don't ask them to fly you to Vegas.
- LA AFB isn't exactly a "military town." Those hoping to find rows of army barbers and discount surplus stores are outta luck. This base is all business, with a healthy dose of California sunshine.
So there you have it, folks! The next time someone asks "What Air Force base is in Los Angeles?" you can confidently (and perhaps slightly smugly) tell them all about the futuristic space cowboys of LA AFB. Just be sure to warn them not to expect Tom Cruise to come swooping in to save the day.
