BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- During a July 24 virtual ceremony hosted by General John ‘Jay’ Raymond, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, Colonel Devin Pepper inactivated the 460th Space Wing and activated Buckley Garrison, continuing the alignment of units within the USSF.
“We are at a very historic moment in our nation’s history with the establishment of the Space Force,” said Col. Devin Pepper. “I am honored to command the men and women of the Buckley Garrison at this singular moment in time, as we shape the operational construct of our command and provide combat capability to United States Space Command and other Combatant Commands around the globe. I am humbled to be a part of the legacy forged by space pioneers such as General Bernard Schriever and Lieutenant General Thomas Moorman.”
The structure of the USSF, determined by the Department of the Air Force was established to be “lean and lethal,” and therefore will only consist of three levels of command versus five levels as found within the USAF. The USSF’s hierarchy comprises Field Commands (FIELDCOMs), operationally focused Space Deltas (DELs), and Installation Support Garrisons (GARs).
Col. Richard Bourquin, former 460th Space Wing vice commander, assumed command of the newly activated Space Delta 4. DEL 4 is charged with executing USSF terrestrial and space-based missile warning missions.
Buckley Garrison is the installation’s host unit to support numerous Buckley Air Force Base missions. The garrison’s mission includes enabling mission execution for DEL 4, portions of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Space Delta 7 and Cyberspace Space Delta 6, along with more than 96 mission partners and 14 geographically separated units. These units directly support Combatant Commands across the globe.
Buckley Garrison also hosts the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard (COANG), the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC), the Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado (ADF-C), the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) and the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC).
Buckley AFB truly represents a joint, Total Force and coalition base. This includes 3,100 active duty members from every service, 4,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel, four commonwealth international partners, 2,400 civilians, 2,500 contractors as well as 98,000 member retiree population. The base contributes an estimated $1 billion annually to the local economy.
For more information, visit the USSF webpage at www.spaceforce.mil