This is a list of installations operated by the United States Space Force (USSF), located within the United States and abroad. Locations where the Space Force has a notable presence but do not operate the facility will also be listed, as the service branch develops.
Background
editThe location and number of US Space Force installations is in proportion to the size of the prior US Air Force-led US Space Command, the capabilities of available weapon systems, and the strategies contemplated for their employment. As of December 2020, the number of active duty Space Force bases is six, with several more smaller USSF stations, and most of them located within the continental United States.
Locations of current US Space Force installations
editSome installations are still called "Air Force Base", although operated by the US Space Force.[1]
- Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado[2]
- Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California[3]
- Patrick Space Force Base near Satellite Beach, Florida.[4] (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is also located in the area, near Kennedy Space Center)
- Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado[5]
- Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado[6]
- Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc, California[7]
Contiguous United States
editInstallations and locations in the contiguous United States. For Alaska and Hawaii see Pacific, East Asia and South East Asia section.
Overseas
editName | Location | Unit Emblem | Unit Designation | Notes/Mission |
---|---|---|---|---|
RAF Ascension Island | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | 45th Mission Support Squadron (Detachment 2) | Royal Air Force base made available to the United States by the British government, hosting a Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) of Space Launch Delta 45.[8] | |
Clear Space Force Station | United States (Alaska) | |
Hosting a Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) of Space Delta 4 and the 168th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard. Operates a radar station for detecting incoming ICBMs and submarine-launched ballistic missiles to NORAD's command center and to provide Space Surveillance data to the USSF.[9] | |
RAF Feltwell | United Kingdom | 73rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron (Detachment 4) | Royal Air Force base made available to the United States by the British government, hosting a Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) of Space Delta 7.[10] | |
RAF Fylingdales | United Kingdom | Space Delta 4 (Operating Location Fylingdales) | Royal Air Force base made available to the United States by the British government, hosting a Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) of Space Delta 4 operating the AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar.[11] | |
Ka’ena Point Space Force Station | United States (Hawaii) | 21st Space Operations Squadron (Detachment 3) | Tracking station forming part of the Satellite Control Network. Hosting a Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) of Space Delta 6.[12] | |
Maui Space Surveillance Complex | United States (Hawaii) | |
Maui Space Surveillance Complex (MSSC) is located at the 10,023 foot-summit of Haleakala on the island of Maui, Hawaii as part of the Haleakalā Observatory, hosting Geographically Separate Units (GSUs) of Space Delta 2. The MSSC is host to small, medium, and large-aperture tracking optics, including the DoD's largest optical telescope designed for tracking and imaging satellites, with visible and infrared sensors to collect data on near-Earth and deep-space objects.[13][14][15] | |
RAF Oakhanger | United Kingdom | 23rd Space Operations Squadron (Operating Location Alpha) | Royal Air Force base made available to the United States by the British government, hosting a Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) of Space Delta 6.[16][17] | |
Pituffik Space Base | Greenland | |
|
Royal Danish Air Force base made available to the United States by the Danish government, hosting Geographically Separate Units (GSUs) of Space Base Delta 1, Space Delta 4, and Space Delta 6. Home to the 12th Space Warning Squadron which operates a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System.[18][19][20] |
US Space Force installation terminology
editIn the US Air Force, active duty installations are normally named after notable Air Force personnel, whereas Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard installations are named in the same manner or after the community in which they are located. Because the Space Force is a new service branch, it is defaulting to the current Air Force terminology for its rank structure and location names. It may follow the aforementioned guidelines of the Air Force, follow guidelines of the US Navy, or create its own standard. The USSF does not currently operate a reserve or national guard force.[citation needed][original research?]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "USSF Locations". United States Space Force. 11 December 2020.
- ^ Buckley Air Force Base > Home
- ^ "Los Angeles Air Force Base > Home". www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil.
- ^ "45th Space Wing > Home". www.patrick.spaceforce.mil.
- ^ Peterson Air Force Base > Home
- ^ "Schriever Air Force Base > Home". www.schriever.spaceforce.mil.
- ^ "Vandenberg Space Force Base > Home".
- ^ "Space Launch Delta 45 Support". Patrick Space Force Base. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Clear Air Force Station renamed as Clear Space Force Station". Buckley Space Force Base. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "73rd ISRS activates, becomes part of U.S. Space Force". Wright-Patterson AFB. US Air Force. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Units". Buckley Space Force Base. US Space Force. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Ka'ena Point Space Force Station". Space Base Delta 1. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Maui, Hawaii". Space Base Delta 1. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "15th Space Surveillance Squadron". Space Base Delta 1. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "20th Space Surveillance Squadron". Space Base Delta 1. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "23rd Space Operations Squadron". Schriever Space Force Base. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Schriever Space Force Base Units". Schriever Space Force Base. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Thule AB, Greenland". Space Base Delta 1. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "12th Space Warning Squadron". Peterson Space Force Base. United States Space Force. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
- ^ "23rd Space Operations Squadron Detachment 1". Schriever Space Force Base. US Space Force. Retrieved 24 January 2023.