Colorado Springs’ reputation as a prime location for important military installations got its start in the 1940s when the Army established Fort Carson on 137,000 acres a few miles south of the city. Not far behind to join the El Paso County community are Schriever Air Force Base, US Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base is located in the East Plains of El Paso County off Highway 94, 16 miles east of Downtown Colorado Springs and is located approximtely 10 miles east of Peterson AFB. It is home to the Air Force’s 50th Space Wing, 576th Flight Test Squadron, and the Space Warfare Center among other troops which provides combat effects such as secure satellite communications and precise navigation and timing to warfighters around the world. The Joint National Integration Center and Space Innovation and Development Center are among several tenant units at Schriever AFB. Beginning in 1983 as Falcon Air Force Station, the operation was renamed Shriever Air Force Base in honor of the developer of the nation’s ballistic missile programs, General Bernard Adolph Shriever. Map it!
The Air Force Academy is unique in its dual role as both an Air Force installation and a university. The 10th Air Base Wing provides logistical, medical, fire response, security, civil engineering, family care and medical support across the 18,000-acre installation for a community of approximately 25,000. The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge and character essential for leadership, and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers. Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. Map it!
Fort Carson “The Best Hometown in the Army – Home of America’s Best!”. Fort Carson was established in 1942, following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. The city of Colorado Springs, Colorado purchased land south of the city and donated it to the War Department. Construction began immediately and the first building, the camp headquarters, was completed JanuarFort Carson’s beautiful scenery has made it one of the most requested duty stations in the U.S. Army. It is considered the second most popular CONUS duty station, after Fort Lewis, Washington, and adopted “Best Hometown in the Army” as its motto in 2007.y 31, 1942. Camp Carson was named in honor of the legendary Army scout, General Christopher “Kit” Carson, who explored much of the West in the 1800s. It is largest military installation in the area and is home to the 3rd BCT, 43rd ASG, 3rd ACR, 5th Armored Brigade, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, and the 10th Special Forces Group. the 4th Infantry Division and the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the 10th Special Forces Group. Map it!
Peterson AFB traces its roots to the Colorado Springs Army Air Base, established on May 6, 1942 at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, which has been in operation since 1926Air Force Space Command, activated September 1, 1982, is a major command with headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. AFSPC provides military focused space and cyberspace capabilities with a global perspective to the joint warfighting team. The 21st Space Wing is headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and is the Air Force’s only organization providing missile warning and space control to unified commanders and combat forces worldwide. Map it!
Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base
Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station is owned and operated by Air Force Space Command. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Air Force Space Command and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) use just under 30% of the floor space within the complex and comprise approximately 5% of the daily population at Cheyenne Mountain. The installation was construction for NORAD’s Cheyenne Mountain nuclear bunker at the site. After formation of Space Command in 1982, base services were provided by Air Force Space Command units as part of the Peterson Complex. The entire installation at Cheyenne Mountain was designated an Air Force Base (Cheyenne Mountain AFB) by September 1991 and an Air Station (Cheyenne Mountain AS) by February 1995. By 2002 the installation was named Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. Map it!
