Schriever Air Force Base | |
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Part of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) | |
Located near: Colorado Springs, Colorado | |
Senior Airman Nayibe Ramos runs through a checklist during Global Positioning System satellite operations in 2004.
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Coordinates | 38°48′12″N 104°31′32″W / 38.80333°N 104.52556°WCoordinates: 38°48′12″N 104°31′32″W / 38.80333°N 104.52556°W |
Type | Air Force Base |
Site information | |
Controlled by | United States Air Force |
Site history | |
Built | 1983 |
In use | 1985-present |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | 50th Space Wing |
Schriever Air Force Base (Schriever AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force located approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.
This Air Force Base is named in honor of General Bernard Adolph Schriever, who pioneered in the development of the American ballistic missile programs. It is the home of the 50th Space Wing of the Air Force Space Command, and this base provides command and control for over 170Department of Defense warning, navigational, and communications satellites. Also housed at Schriever AFB are the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center and the Space Innovation & Development Center. Schriever AFB is the main control point for the Global Positioning System (GPS). Schriever AFB is manned by more than 8100 active duty and guard/reserve personnel, civilian employees, and contractors.
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 (now Schriever Air Force Base), 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.