Young airman killed in heavy equipment accident at California Space Force base

A 23-year-old airman from North Carolina died Thursday pursuing a dense instrumentality mishap astatine Vandenberg Space Force Base successful California, officials announced Friday.

The airman was identified arsenic Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, a subordinate of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Pavements and Equipment Flight, according to the base’s Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs office.

The portion maintains captious infrastructure, including roads and airfields, that supports Vandenberg’s launch, trial and scope operations nether the U.S. Space Force, officials said. The basal is liable for launching satellites into polar orbit and conducting intercontinental ballistic rocket tests.

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An authoritative subject representation shows Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna successful beforehand of the American flag. (Space Launch Delta 30)

Eneluna was operating dense instrumentality erstwhile it rolled down an embankment, according to the base. No different unit were injured successful the incident.

"It is with profound sadness that we stock the nonaccomplishment of Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, a subordinate of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron," Vandenberg Space Force Base said successful a statement.

"A1C Eneluna served with honor, humility, and an unwavering committedness to his teammates and the mission. His nonaccomplishment is felt crossed our Vandenberg family."

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Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna smiles connected a sofa with 2 dogs. (Cedric Eneluna/Facebook)

The authoritative origin of decease has not yet been determined by the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office. Units astatine Vandenberg are supporting a Safety Investigation Board reappraisal into the incident.

According to the base, Eneluna was from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and besides spent portion of his puerility successful the Philippines.

He joined the subject connected March 5, 2024, and arrived astatine Vandenberg successful August for his archetypal work assignment, wherever helium became portion of the unit’s "Dirt Boyz" team, a radical of pavement and dense instrumentality specialists.

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Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna poses outdoors with 2 thumbs up during a hike. (Cedric Eneluna/Facebook)

"During his duty astatine Vandenberg, helium earned the respect and admiration of those astir him done his affirmative attitude, tireless enactment ethic, and willingness to assistance others," the basal said.

"He made a lasting content connected his teammates done his character, dedication, and genuine attraction for others," U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, commandant of Space Launch Delta 30 and Vandenberg Space Force Base, said successful a statement.

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Eneluna’s squadron commandant added that the young work subordinate exemplified the qualities of an outstanding Airman.

"He brought retired the champion successful everyone," U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Seth Poulsen, 30th CES commander, said. "He was ever acceptable to work, ever consenting to help, and ever had a affirmative attitude. He genuinely represented what it means to beryllium an Airman."