Schriever Space Force Base, previously Schriever Air Force Base, Falcon Air Force Base, and Falcon Air Force Station, is a base of the United States Space Force located approximately 10 mi (16 km) east of Peterson Space Force Base near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.
Schriever Space Force Base | |
---|---|
Near Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the United States | |
Radome installations at Schriever | |
Shield of Space Base Delta 1 | |
Coordinates | 38°48′12″N 104°31′32″W / 38.80333°N 104.52556°W |
Type | U.S. Space Force Base |
Site information | |
Owner | Department of Defense |
Operator | United States Space Force |
Controlled by | Space Base Delta 1 |
Condition | Operational |
Website | www |
Site history | |
Built | 1983–1985 (as Falcon Air Force Station) |
In use | 1985–present |
Garrison information | |
Current commander | Colonel James E. Smith |
Garrison | Peterson-Schriever Garrison (host) |
History
edit- Source: USAF Schriever AFB [1]
Groundbreaking for what would become Schriever Air Force Base took place in May 1983. It was originally called the Consolidated Space Operations Center (CSOC) during the development phase, and was renamed Falcon Air Force Station upon becoming operational. In July 1985, the 2nd Space Wing was activated at Peterson AFB and in September 1985, the organization relocated to Falcon Air Force Station, and 230 Air Force members, civilian employees, and contractors moved into its 12 new buildings. This wing took operational control of the Air Force Satellite Control Network in a phased system turn over that began in October 1987 and lasted several years.[2]
In June 1988, Falcon Air Force Station was redesignated Falcon Air Force Base. On 30 January 1992, the 2nd Space Wing inactivated and the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, redesignated as the 50th Space Wing, activated at Falcon AFB.
On 5 June 1998, Falcon Air Force Base was renamed Schriever Air Force Base in honor of the retired General Bernard Schriever, who pioneered in the development of the American ballistic missile programs. Schriever AFB was the only Air Force base that was named for an Air Force veteran who was living at the time. General Schriever died 20 June 2005.
On 26 July 2021, the base was renamed Schriever Space Force Base to reflect its role in the new Space Force mission.[3]
Role and operations
editThis Space Force Base is named in honor of General Bernard Schriever, who pioneered in the development of the American ballistic missile programs. It is the home of the 50th Space Wing of the United States Space Force, and this base provides command and control for over 170 [4] Department of Defense warning, navigational, and communications satellites.
Also housed at Schriever SFB are the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center and the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. Building 400 at Schriever SFB is the main control point for the Global Positioning System (GPS).[5]
Schriever is staffed by more than 8,100 active duty and guard/reserve personnel, civilian employees, and contractors.[6][7]
Based units
editNotable units based at Schriever Space Force Base.[8][9][10]
Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Schriever, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.
United States Space Forceedit
Space Operations Command (SpOC)
Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) |
United States Air ForceeditAir Force Reserve Command (AFRC)
|
United States ArmyeditUnited States NavyeditDepartment of DefenseeditUnited States Strategic Command Missile Defense AgencyeditNational Reconnaissance Officeedit
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Schriever AFB Fact Sheet Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Official Site
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Housing construction offers historical glimpse of Schriever's growth from Schriever official site
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Kerridge, Kasia. "Peterson, Schriever and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force installations renamed to Space Force Monday". KKTV. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Schriever AFB Fact Sheet". af.mil. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Schriever Air Force Base - Global Positioning System". US Department of Defense. 28 July 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2007.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ 50 Space Wing, Public Affairs. "50 Space Wing Fact Sheet". Retrieved 4 October 2016.
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Graff, Garrett M. (26 June 2018). "The New Arms Race Threatening to Explode in Space". Wired (magazine).
- ^ "Units". Schriever AFB. US Space Force. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Locations". Missile Defense Agency. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Vasquez, Senior Airman Arielle (29 March 2017). "NRO opens new facility". Schriever AFB. US Air Force. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.