CENTURY 21 Curbow Realty

CENTURY 21 Curbow Realty

Colorado Springs - Peterson Air Force Base

Peterson Air Force Base

Peterson Air Force Base is located immediately to the east of Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is the second largest city in the state and also hosts the United States Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Fort Carson Army Post, and Schriever Air Force Base. Colorado Springs has an altitude of 6,035 feet. Often people new to the area require a bit of time to acclimate to this high altitude. Peterson Air Force Base is located in the Rocky Mountain region, making the climate mostly dry year round.

Peterson Air Force Base and the 21 st Space Wing is the Air Force's only organization that provides missile warning and space control to unified commanders and forces worldwide. The mission of the 21 st Space Wing is to conduct flawless missile warning and space control operations, provide unsurpassed installation support and protection, while developing Warrior Airmen to defend America.

History

 Peterson Air Force Base began as the Colorado Springs Army Air Base, which was established in April 1942. The base carried out photo reconnaissance training under the auspices of the Photo Reconnaissance Operational Training Unit. In December of 1942, the base was renamed Peterson Air Force Base in honor of 1 st Lt. Edward J. Peterson, who was killed during takeoff in his F-4.

In October 1943, Peterson Air Force Base mission changed to heavy bomber combat crew training. The 383rd Bomb Group relocated from Geiger Field in Washington to form the heavy bomber training operation. After October 1943, control of Peterson Field reverted to the 2 nd Air Force, which was headquartered in downtown Colorado Springs. In June 1944, the mission at Peterson Air Force Base was changed again, this time to fighter pilot training.

In January 1951 the Air Defense Command at Ent Air Force Base was established in downtown Colorado Springs. The 4600 th Air Base Group was activated at the same time and provided support for the command. In 1958, the 4600 th achieved wing status and was designated as the 4600 th Air Base Wing. By April 1975, the Air Force redesignated the wing as the 46 th Aerospace Defense Wing. A year later in March 1976, Peterson Field was renamed Peterson Air Force Base.

On September 1, 1982, United States Air Force officials activated Air Force Space Command at Peterson, followed by the activation of the 1 st Space Wing on January 1, 1983. Peterson Air Force Base became the hub of Air Forces space activity.

Services

 Peterson Air Force Base opened a new commissary and Base Exchange complex in 2007. This commissary is the second largest commissary in the world. Here you can find many things from jewelry, clothes, cameras, radios, appliances, luggage, and more. There is also a food court, beauty and barber shops, optical center, and a watch repair shop.

The Evans Army Community Hospital located in Building 7500 on Titus Boulevard. The five-story medical complex has a 76-bed capacity. There clinic building contains 400 examination and treatment rooms. A common area connects the clinic building and the main hospital.

 Peterson offers two service stations. One is a self-service facility and it provides repair and vehicle maintenance service. The other service station is at the Shoppette and is open 24 hours a day. The Shoppette offers beverages, food, magazines, health and beauty aids, and pet supplies.

The Peterson Spouses Club provides support to all spouses. Membership is open to all spouses. Peterson's Officers' Wives Club and the Enlisted Spouses Club combined to provide support to all spouses. The club also supports a variety of charities. The Peterson Spouses Club also operates a thrift shop.

The post office on Peterson Air Force Base offers complete postal services, including money orders, stamps, parcel post, express mail, international mail service, limited service for people who collect stamps and registered, certified and insured mailing. The post office also rents lock boxes. A stamp vending machine is available 24 hours a day in the lobby.

Weapons registration is handled by the security police armory. All people living in the base enlisted dormitories, visiting officers and enlisted quarters or temporary lodging facilities are required to register and store privately owned weapons at the armory as soon as they arrive on station. People living in base housing may retain their privately owned weapons in their quarters and are required to register them at the armory.

Local Attractions

Peterson Air Force Base supports one of the biggest annual events in Colorado Springs, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The rodeo has been a military tradition since 1947 and showcases rodeo talent and action, providing wholesome entertainment for the Pikes Peak community.

Fort Carson features an 18-hole championship golf course, Cheyenne Shadows golf course, Thunder Alley Bowling Center, Mountain Post Sports Complex, Outdoor Recreation Complex, and auto and woodworking shops.

The Air Force Academy is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Colorado. Nearly 1 million people visit the facility each year. Many people also come to see the Air Force Falcons compete in Mountain West Conference athletic events.