Colorado Springs Military
If in Military Service, Ask About the Military Moves Program
(NOTE: You May Access Military Websites by Clicking on Name of Installation Below)
Established the same year as Ft. Carson in 1942, Peterson Air Force Base was initially known as the Colorado Springs Army Air Base. In December 1942, it became the Army Support Command Base and was renamed Peterson Army Air Field in honor of 1st Lt. Edward J. Peterson, an operations officer with the 14th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron who was killed while attempting to take off from the airfield on August 8, 1942.
Today, the 21st Space Wing is headquartered there and is the Air Force’s only organization providing missile warning and space control to commanders and combat forces worldwide. It provides missile warning and space control to NORAD and the U.S. Strategic Command through command and control units and ground and space-based sensors operated through different units around the world.
Established following Pearl Harbor in 1942, and situated on 137,000 acres. During World War II, a total of 104,165 soldiers trained at Ft. Carson before going overseas. Almost 9,000 German, Italian and some Japanese prisoners of war were held at Ft. Carson during World War II and was actively engaged through the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Today, Ft, Carson has a military population of over 21,000 soldiers and more than 4,800 civilian employees. In 1999, the 7th Infantry Division was reactivated and is the first Active component-reserve component Army division. Additionally it houses the 3 Armored Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, 43 ASG and 10 Special Forces. In 2004, Ft. Carson integrated the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division which is deployed to Iraq and consists of 3,762 troops.
A complete testing facility is located at Ft. Carson and the Butts Army Air Field is an active runway and hangar facility used primarily by Army rotary-wing aircraft.
NORAD is one mile west of Ft. Carson and provides surveillance and control of the airspace of Canada and the United States providing warning and assessment of air, missile and space attack.
The newest Air Force Base constructed in 1983 and originally known as Falcon Air Force Base. The 50th Space Wing is headquartered at Schriever Air Force Base and satellite operations are conducted from the Jack Swigert Space Operations Facility.
Today, the base is situated on 3,840 acres with approximately 4,000 military, DoD civilians and contractors.
The base was originally built as a backup to Onizuka Air Force State, California where all Department of Defense satellites were being controlled. The 50th space Wing was activated in January, 1992, taking on the 50th Tactical Fighter wing which had previously been at Hahn AB, Germany.
