Colorado Springs Military
The presence of five military
installations in Colorado Springs has a great impact on the character
and economy of the Pikes Peak Region. A report released in 2001 revealed
that the five bases had 41,672 employees (29,218 active-duty, reserves
and cadets and another 12,454 civilian employees). According to local
economist Dave Bamberger, the military had the most employees of any
sector in town. The next highest category is tourism, with 14,689 jobs
or 12 percent of the total. "Put it this way: one out of every three
people employed here is employed as a military person or as a person
directly supported by defense dollars," Bamberger said. Here are brief
descriptions of the five military installations in Colorado Springs;
visit their web sites by clicking on the links to the left.
Fort Carson
The Mountain Outpost
Fort Carson sits on 137,000 acres just
south of Colorado Springs. The fort was established in 1942 three weeks
after Pearl Harbor. During World War II, Fort Carson housed prisoners of
war and has since been the site for the production of several movies.
Over the years, the post has grown to a military population of over
17,000 soldiers and is also served by approximately 3,400 civilian
employees. Currently, it is the home of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, and the 10th Special
Forces Group (Airborne). The mission of Ft. Carson, as in the past, has
been training troops to be combat ready.
Introducing a top rated university to
military training, the academy was established to be the training ground
for future Air Force officers. Out of 13,000 applicants each year, only
1,500 freshmen are accepted. The beautiful grounds are situated on
18,000 acres of wooded, picturesque land north of the city. The Air
Force Academy employs over 6,000 personnel (approximately 2,000 of which
are civilians). The Core Values of the United States Air Force Academy
are Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.
These values set the common standard for conduct across the Air Force.
These values inspire trust (which provides the unbreakable bond that
unifies the force). They consider their experience a knowledge born of
confidence, experience and integrity: confidence that comes with
surpassing one's personal best; experience in seeing personal leadership
help others rise above their fears; and the integrity that lies deep in
the heart of every Air Force officer. Athletics are an important part
of Academy culture. The U.S. Air Force Academy wasn't named "most
athletic school in the country" by Sports Illustrated without reason. By
playing together, the cadets learn to work together as a team; they
learn to trust and to be leaders.
Peterson Air Force Base was originally a
fighter training post and civilian airport known as "Pete Field" (prior
to and during WWII). Today, it is the home of the 21st Space Wing, the
Air Force s only organization responsible for worldwide missile warning
and space control. Team 21 serves as host unit of the Peterson Complex
for four major military headquarters (North American Aerospace Defense
Command, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Space Command and Army Space
Command) as well as the 302nd Airlift Wing (Reserve) and many tenant
units from other major commands.
NORAD
North American Aerospace Defense Command
The NORAD complex is located beneath
Cheyenne Mountain just southwest of Colorado Springs. "Deter, Detect,
Defend." is the motto of the men and women who serve in the North
American Aerospace Defense Command. Since 1958, Canadians and Americans
have been partners in protecting the airspace of Alaska, Canada and the
contiguous 48 United States. Staffed by all branches of the military,
the mission of NORAD has evolved over the years. Aerospace warning
involves the monitoring of man-made objects in space, and the detection,
validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by
aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, utilizing mutual support
arrangements with other commands. Aerospace control includes providing
surveillance and control of Canadian and United States airspace.
Schriever Air Force Base, formerly
Falcon Air Force Base, sits on 640 acres of former ranch land east of
Colorado Springs. Schriever is commonly grouped with the other bases in
the "Peterson Complex". This consists of Schriever Air Force Base,
Peterson Air Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Air Station. The Base is
home to the 50th Space Wing and houses the Consolidated Space Operations
Center (CSOC) and provides command and control for Department of
Defense military satellites and management of the Air Force Satellite
Control Network.
Julie Ternes
SellState Alliance Realty
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
719-629-6142
The Mountain Outpost
North American Aerospace Defense Command
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