Schriever Space Force Base Explained

Schriever Space Force Base
Nearest Town:Colorado Springs, Colorado,
Country:the United States
Type:U.S. Space Force Base
Pushpin Map:USA
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in the United States
Pushpin Label:Schriever SFB
Pushpin Label Position:top
Ownership:Department of Defense
Operator:United States Space Force
Controlledby:Space Base Delta 1
Built:1983–1985 (as Falcon Air Force Station)
Used:1985–present
Condition:Operational
Current Commander:Colonel James E. Smith
Garrison:Peterson-Schriever Garrison (host)

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 east of Peterson Space Force Base near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.

History

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

This 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

Notable 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 Force

Space Base Delta 1

Space Operations Command (SpOC)

Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM)

United States Air Force

Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)

United States Army

Colorado Army National Guard

United States Navy

US Naval Observatory

Department of Defense

United States Space Command

United States Strategic Command

Missile Defense Agency

National Reconnaissance Office

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.schriever.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3908 Schriever AFB Fact Sheet
  2. http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123097337 Housing construction offers historical glimpse of Schriever's growth
  3. Web site: Kerridge . Kasia . Peterson, Schriever and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force installations renamed to Space Force Monday . 2021-07-26 . KKTV.
  4. Web site: Schriever AFB Fact Sheet . af.mil . 12 April 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131021111900/http://www.schriever.af.mil/library/factsheets/index.asp . 21 October 2013.
  5. Web site: July 28, 2007 . Schriever Air Force Base - Global Positioning System . US Department of Defense . July 28, 2007.
  6. Web site: 50 Space Wing. Public Affairs. 50 Space Wing Fact Sheet . 4 October 2016.
  7. Wired (magazine) . The New Arms Race Threatening to Explode in Space . June 26, 2018 . Garrett M. . Graff.
  8. Web site: Units . 31 July 2020 . Schriever AFB . US Space Force.
  9. Web site: Locations . 18 September 2019 . Missile Defense Agency . 1 October 2019.
  10. Web site: NRO opens new facility . Vasquez . Senior Airman Arielle . 29 March 2017 . Schriever AFB . US Air Force . 1 October 2019.