Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. -- Booths, food trucks, stages, and petting zoos lined eight blocks in El Segundo as vendors and over 2,500 residents celebrated the annual Main Street Fair. This year, Space Base Delta 3 (SBD3) and Space Systems Command (SSC) joined in on the fun, hosting a booth to connect with the local community on Saturday September 28, 2024, in El Segundo, California.
The Main Street Fair, hosted by the Kiwanis Club, is a 30-year-old annual tradition that offers shopping, arts and crafts, kid games, and a taste of some local eateries. LAAFB Guardians and Airmen met El Segundo’s community members to share information about the United States Space Force and their roles here in El Segundo. For many guests, it was their first time meeting and engaging with a Guardian and improved their understanding of the overall USSF mission.
“A lot of people still don’t know the Space Force exists. Engaging with members of the community helps spread awareness of our mission. Most people haven’t had a real conversation with someone in the military, so it’s good to show them that we’re normal people just like them,” says USSF Capt. Tamal Kumar, Systems Engineering IPT Lead.
The SSC and SBD3 booth offered a variety of different activities and displays such as a walk-through of the United States Space Force history, rocket and satellite models, and information about career and recruiting opportunities for those interested in joining the Space Force mission.
Guardians and Airmen set themselves apart from other booths, with STEM activities that had kids and their parents thinking like an engineer.
“The Space Systems Command Community outreach booth provided great information about Space Force as well as fun and educational demos and activities for the kids. Learning about space debris and building robots with the cubes was a hit,” says El Segundo resident Stefan Ost.
Parents and educators learned about different ways they can connect with SSC’s Heritage Center and STEM offices for base tours and school presentations.
Fairgoers eagerly greeted SBD3 Commander, Col. Andrew Dermanoski, as he interacted with kids and adults, answering their questions and offering insight into his role as commander.
“The SSC and SBD 3 booth was a fun way to connect with members of our community here in El Segundo and share the work we’re doing at LA Air Force Base. I think they all walked away with a better understanding of the Space Force,” says Dermanoski.
At times, volunteers found themselves learning from past Space Force or industry employees who stopped by.
“I always enjoy talking to folks whose parents, or family members worked on a space program and learning what they did and what it was about. It is great to hear how proud they are of the contributions [from them or] their family members to the defense of the nation and advancement of space,” explained LAAFB civilian Gregory Pierson.
Pierson also assisted at the Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade and shares that his commitment to serve extends farther than just on base, “I always try to volunteer for SSC community events to help promote the important work done here at SSC. I grew up in El Segundo, so it was extra special to back in my hometown to talk about space”.
LAAFB Guardians and Airmen were able to connect with over 1,300 guests at the Main Street Fair, leaving them with a clearer understanding of the Space Force mission.
Engagements such as the Main Street Fair are vital in forming personal connections and educating the Los Angeles community about how Space Force is working to defend our nation’s interests to, from, and in space. Recent community engagements include the Festival of Flight in Long Beach, Calif. and LMU STEM Expo in Los Angeles, Calif.