A rodeo competitor is dragged across the arena during the 83rd Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif., May 31, 2026. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment. The event also featured Military Appreciation Day activities recognizing service members, veterans and their families. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)

Service members salute during the National Anthem and presentation of the American flag at Military Appreciation Day during the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif., May 31, 2026. The event honored military members and veterans while highlighting the longstanding partnership between Vandenberg Space Force Base and the Central Coast community. The annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is celebrating its 83rd year in 2026. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment, including bull riding, horseback competitions, lasso contests, mutton busting, and more. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)

Spectators watch a rider on horseback case the arena during Military Appreciation Day at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif., May 31, 2026. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment, including bull riding, horseback competitions, lasso contests, mutton busting, and more. The event also featured Military Appreciation Day activities recognizing service members, veterans and their families. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)

Members of the Vandenberg Honor Guard present the colors during the opening ceremony of Military Appreciation Day at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif., May 31, 2026. Military Appreciation Day serves as an opportunity to recognize the service and sacrifice of military members, veterans and their families. The event is one of several longstanding partnerships between Vandenberg Space Force Base and communities across California’s Central Coast. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment, including bull riding, horseback competitions, lasso contests, and more. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)

U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, delivers remarks alongside (from left to right) U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sgt. Shannan Sanchez, Space Launch Delta 30 senior enlisted leader; U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Joshua Sanders, Space Launch Delta 30 senior enlisted airman; U.S. Army Col. Michael Smith, Combined Joint Force Space Component chief of staff; and U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Kila Archer, U.S. Space Forces – Space command senior enlisted leader, during Military Appreciation Day at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif., May 31, 2026. Horne thanked community members for their continued support of service members, veterans and their families before the start of the rodeo. Military Appreciation Day celebrates the long-standing partnership between Vandenberg Space Force Base and communities across the Central Coast. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment, including bull riding, horseback competitions, lasso contests, and more. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)

A skydiver descends into the rodeo arena flying a large American flag during the opening ceremony of Military Appreciation Day at the 83rd Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif., May 31, 2026. Military Appreciation Day serves as an opportunity to recognize the service and sacrifice of military members, veterans and their families. The event is one of several longstanding partnerships between Vandenberg Space Force Base and communities across California’s Central Coast. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment, including bull riding, horseback competitions, lasso contests, and more. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)

Riders parade American flags around the rodeo arena during Military Appreciation Day at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif, May 31, 2026. The annual event honored military members and veterans while celebrating the longstanding partnership between Vandenberg Space Force Base and the Central Coast community. The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo celebrates its 83rd year in 2026. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment, including bull riding, horseback competitions, lasso contests, and more. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)

Spectators watch a rider on horseback case the arena during Military Appreciation Day at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo in Santa Maria, Calif., May 31, 2026. The annual rodeo brings together competitors and spectators from across the Central Coast for a weekend of western sports and entertainment, including bull riding, horseback competitions, lasso contests, mutton busting, and more. The event also featured Military Appreciation Day activities recognizing service members, veterans and their families. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olya Houtsma)