From concept to command: Celebrating 5 years of the US Space Force

Published Dec. 9, 2024
By Keefer Patterson
Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Space Force officially turns five years old Dec. 20th.

The sixth branch of the U.S armed forces was established on Dec. 20, 2019, when President Donald J. Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Under this act, Air Force Space Command, headquartered at then-Peterson Air Force Base, ceased space operations, was inactivated and the USSF assumed operational control of the space units previously commanded by AFSPC. From there, the Space Force moved forward with building and defining the new service while simultaneously maintaining legacy missions and infrastructure.

In the intervening years since its creation, the USSF has built a space-focused cadre, pulling together ideas and expertise from sister services and promoting the transfer of enlisted and officers experienced in space operations, cyber, intelligence, acquisition and engineering.

But what have these years looked like from an installation perspective?

Looking Back Through Space and Time
On July 24, 2020, the USSF inactivated the 21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB and the 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB. On that same day, consolidating the installations under one command, Peterson-Schriever Garrison was activated with former 50th Space Wing commander, then-Col. James E. Smith, taking charge of the garrison.

P-S GAR expanded its command responsibilities of real property at six installations to include Peterson AFB; Schriever AFB; Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station; Thule Air Base, Greenland; New Boston AFS, New Hampshire; and Ka’ena Point AFS, Hawaii.

“Many command staff functions transferred to the Peterson-Schriever Garrison staff at Peterson AFB,” said Brad Helton, Space Base Delta 1 historian. “However, the support functions such as contracting, security forces, civil engineering, logistics and force support remained under the 21st and 50th Mission Support Groups, which remained active.”

To provide better mission oversight, the USSF activated Space Operations Command at Peterson AFB, Oct. 21, 2020, becoming the first field command for the service and the higher headquarters for space operations units at to P-S GAR. On July 14, 2021, Air Force Material Command and Air Force Research Laboratory transferred control and support of the Maui Space Surveillance Complex, Hawaii, from Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, to Peterson AFB — making P-S GAR responsible for a total of seven installations.

In recognition of the critical role Peterson AFB and Schriever AFB play in supporting various space-focused missions, the Department of the Air Force redesignated both bases as Space Force Bases on July 28, 2021.

However, a new change to the command name was on the horizon.

Space Base Delta 1
On May 23, 2022, Space Operations Command redesignated P-S GAR as Space Base Delta 1.

“The new name brings our Colorado Front Range installations into greater alignment with the U.S. Space Force’s operational Space Deltas and Space Launch Deltas,” according to a quote by then-Col. Shay Warakomski in an article published on May 24, 2022.

However, the newly established SBD 1 was not just a name change but a further fine-tuning of the command’s structure.

From left to right, Col. Brian Capps, 821st Space Base Group commander, Chief of Space Operations U.S. Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman, Greenlandic Minister Affairs, Business and Trade Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark Alan Leventhal and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Clark, 821st Space Group command chief, unveil the new base sign during the base renaming ceremony, at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, April 6, 2023. The ceremony took place in the fitness center where distinguished guests and Greenlandic community members attended the historic event. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlin Castillo) — Col. Brian Capps, 821st Space Base Group commander, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, Greenlandic Minister Affairs, Business and Trade Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark Alan Leventhal and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Clark, 821st Space Group command chief, unveil the new base sign during the base renaming ceremony, at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, April 6, 2023. The ceremony took place in the fitness center where distinguished guests and Greenlandic community members attended the historic event. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Kaitlin Castillo)

Military members attend a change of command — Col. Kenneth Klock, incoming Space Base Delta 1 commander, speaks with SBD 1 Guardians and Airmen after accepting command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., July 11, 2024. When changing command, the guidon is always in someone’s hands which signifies the unit and its members are never without official leadership. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Friend)

Service and community members remember the events of September 11, 2001. — U.S. Air Force Col. David Berríos, Space Base Delta 1 vice commander, speaks at the Sept. 11th remembrance ceremony at Schriever Space Force Base, Colo., Sept. 11, 2024. On Sept. 11, 2001, two airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers and one into the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Justin Todd)

“On that day, the 21st and 50th Mission Support Groups inactivated at Peterson and Schriever SFBs and all squadrons transferred under SBD 1,” Helton said. “Looking at geographically separated units such as the 821st Air Base Group at Thule Air Base, Greenland, they were redesignated as the 821st Space Base Group. Eventually, that installation would be renamed on April 6, 2023, from Thule AB to Pituffik Space Base — the traditional Greenlandic name of the region where the base is located.

“Change is the only constant … SBD 1 has constantly been making adjustments ever since to optimize its performance under the new organizational concept within the newly established service.”

Today, SBD 1 enables U.S. Space Force operations for 10 of the service’s Space Deltas that are headquartered in Colorado Springs and more than 111 other mission partners across 23 world-wide operating locations by providing integrated Base Operating Support (e.g., directly assisting, maintaining, supplying and distributing support of forces at the operating locations), Combat Service Support (e.g., the essential capabilities, functions, activities and tasks necessary to sustain all elements of all operating forces at the operating locations) and Delta Staff Agency services (e.g., providing legal, financial and other administrative services to Guardians and Airmen).

Looking Ahead
Taking command of SBD 1 on July 11, Col. Kenneth Klock, Space Base Delta 1 commander, now oversees the delta and its day-to-day operations.

“To describe Space Base Delta 1 in the simplest terms, think of us as a platform from which the space mission deltas project power,” Klock said. “Water, power, facilities, HVAC, communications, security, etc., all the critical infrastructure and resources necessary to sustain the basic functions our warfighters need to carry out the mission are provided by us.

“But it’s not just about the infrastructure, it’s also about the people. Many of our Guardians, Airmen and civilians are parents. Think of all the effort required to ensure that installation Child Development Centers are adequately equipped to take care of the children. Think of other mission support functions such as issuing ID cards and getting paid on time. SBD 1 delivers resilient and readily available support for space superiority.”

In plotting a course for the command, Klock is looking into the years ahead and seeing how the command needs to adapt to meet future needs and challenges head on.

“The space domain is ever-changing, and, by extension, so is the Space Force,” Klock said. “Turning five years old this year, we still have a lot to figure out and define, but we are moving forward in a way that ensures we can fight today, if called upon. We are also still innovating and growing to be even more ready for the fight tomorrow. It’s a challenging and exciting time, but we are making all the critical moves that matter.”

“Supporting our missions, growing our people, engaging with our civic community leaders and modernizing our systems and infrastructures — all of that will need to continue. We always have to be prepared for the worst and ensure our capabilities are survivable, flexible and responsive to meet tomorrow’s demands. We are doing that now and we will continue to do that into the future.”

A member of the 21st Security Forces Squadron talks about the M4 carbine that a child is holding. — A child holds an unloaded M4 carbine while interacting with a 21st Security Forces Squadron member during Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Sept. 21, 2024. Operation KUDOS gave military children a deeper understanding on the tools their parents may use while on deployment by getting hands-on experience. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

U.S. Space Force Col. David Hanson, Space Base Delta 1 commander, waves to the crowd as the grand marshal during the 81st Annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade in Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 6, 2024. The parade marks the beginning of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, a community tradition since 1936. The event celebrates Western culture and donates proceeds to help support quality of life initiatives for active-duty military families in the area. (U.S. Space Force photo by Connie Dillon) — Col. David Hanson, Space Base Delta 1 commander, waves to the crowd as the grand marshal during the 81st Annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 6, 2024. The parade marks the beginning of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, a community tradition since 1936. The event celebrates Western culture and donates proceeds to help support quality of life initiatives for active-duty military families in the area. (U.S. Space Force photo by Connie Dillon)

U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Michael Schriever, Chief of the Engine Room for Space Training and Readiness Command, and Bernard A. Schriever II, a civil engineer at the U.S. Air Force Academy, stand next to the site where the Team Schriever time capsule was buried on Schriever Space Force Base on June 21, 2023. They are both grandsons of the late Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, for whom Schriever SFB was named. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Todd) — Lt. Col. Michael Schriever, chief of the Engine Room for Space Training and Readiness Command, and Bernard A. Schriever II, a civil engineer at the U.S. Air Force Academy, stand next to the site where the Team Schriever time capsule was buried on Schriever Space Force Base, Colo., on June 21, 2023. They are both grandsons of the late Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, for whom Schriever SFB was named. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Todd)

U.S. Space Force Col. Kenneth Klock runs away from Queny, 21st Security Forces Squadron military working dog. — Col. Kenneth Klock, Space Base Delta 1 commander, gets chased by Queny, 21st Security Forces Squadron military working dog, at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Sept. 19, 2024, during an immersion tour. While at this tour Klock experienced the speed and training military working dogs have, showcasing the rigorous training the dogs go through daily. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

Senior enlisted leader of the Space Force speaks at an all-call — Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John F. Bentivegna speaks with Guardians and Airmen during an all-call on Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Feb. 28, 2024. Bentivegna emphasized the benefit of the current small size of the USSF, its agile nature and how this leads to more personalized care for Guardians. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Justin Todd)

Santa is sitting next to a service member in an aircraft — U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jake Plemons, 821st Security Forces Squadron senior enlisted leader, and Lt. Col. Lee Warren, the 821st Space Base Group deputy commander and Santa Claus, are en route over Greenland to visit the village of Qaanaaq in support of Operation Julemand Nov. 29, 2023. This multi-national effort has been an on-going tradition for over 60 years and is held annually by U.S., Danish and Canadian military and civilian employees at Pituffik Space Base to promote goodwill with the Greenlandic people. (U.S. Space Force photo by 2nd Lt. Roman Ocampo)

James Murray operates a firehose and laughs while getting splashed from the excess water. — James Murray, a comedian, operates a firehose with support from U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Austin Parker, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Aug. 25, 2023. The purpose behind his visit was to amplify the lines of effort for the Space Force to a wider audience. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Friend)

Service member pose while holding a banner at the end of the Broncos training camp. — U.S. service members pose for a group photo at the end of the 2024 USAA Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp event at Broncos Park in Centennial, Colo., Aug. 21, 2024. The event engaged the local military community, while honoring them for the sacrifices they have made for their country. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

Leadership from Space Base Delta 1 and the chapel on Peterson Space Force Base join the second-ever class of the SBD 1 Chaplain Corps’ White Rope Leadership Program, Flight 22 Bravo, at their induction ceremony at Peterson SFB, Colorado, July 8, 2022. White Ropes provide the Chaplain Corps additional liaisons and points of contact within the Peterson SFB, Schriever Space Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station communities, aiding the Corps’ mission to ensure spiritual and mental fitness across the Front Range. (U.S. Space Force photo by Fiona Truant) — Leadership from Space Base Delta 1 and the chapel on Peterson Space Force Base join the second-ever class of the SBD 1 Chaplain Corps’ White Rope Leadership Program, Flight 22 Bravo, at their induction ceremony at Peterson SFB, Colo., July 8, 2022. White Ropes provide the Chaplain Corps additional liaisons and points of contact within the Peterson SFB, Schriever Space Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station communities, aiding the Corps’ mission to ensure spiritual and mental fitness across the Front Range. (U.S. Space Force photo by Fiona Truant)

CARE Event, Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, AFW2 Program, Peterson Fitness Center — Air Force Wounded Warrior CARE event participants play sitting volleyball inside the Peterson Fitness Center on Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., May 20, 2022. The AFW2 Program provides treatment, services and advocacy to wounded, ill or injured service members as well as their caregivers and families. (U.S. Air Force photo)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryce Atkerson, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection crew chief, shows Isaiah, 5, how to operate a fire hose at the Defender’s Fair at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, May 19, 2022. The event was hosted to celebrate Police Week, which was established when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls during Police Week. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Whitely) — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryce Atkerson, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection crew chief, shows Isaiah, 5, how to operate a fire hose at the Defender’s Fair at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., May 19, 2022. The event was hosted to celebrate Police Week, which was established when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls during Police Week. (U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Whitely)

People fix snowplow — Personnel from the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron make their final checks on the 21st CES snowplows to ensure proper and safe usage of the equipment at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Feb. 2, 2022. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Prince)

Person talks to another person in a car. — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaren Dizney, 21st Healthcare Operations Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of pediatrics, administers a COVID-19 test on Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Jan. 13, 2022. Testing is conducted from 8 to 11 a.m. daily allowing 21st Medical Group Airmen to process tests and provide same-day results to patients. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aliviah Williams)