Clear Air Force Station renamed as Clear Space Force Station

/ Published June 16, 2021

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Clear Air Force Station is renamed to Clear Space Force Station, June 15, 2021, Clear SFS, Alaska. The renamaing of Clear was one of several Air Force space-centric installations to be redesignated as Space Force installations to establish a distinct culture and indentity for the Space Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Adam Keele)

Clear Air Force Station, a remote military installation outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, was officially renamed from Clear Air Force Station to Clear Space Force Station during a ceremony on June 15, 2021.

As part of ongoing efforts to develop the Space Force, the United States’ sixth military branch, the installation was renamed Clear Space Force Station.
Clear will continue to serve as home to Arctic Airmen and Guardians assigned to the 13th and 213th Space Warning Squadrons, providing 24/7 missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness.

The renaming of the installation establishes a distinct Space Force culture and identity as Clear forges into the future, and space is recognized as a warfighting domain.

“The mission 'Team Clear' accomplishes is foundational to what we are trying to do in the U.S. Space Force and the renaming of Clear Air Force Station to Clear Space Force Station demonstrates a needed progression in our profession of arms,” said Col. Richard Bourquin, U.S. Space Force, Space Delta 4 commander.

During the ceremony, Clear Space Force Station members wrote history as they unveiled the new sign, signifying the steadfast space operations continuing in the arctic.
“As we first heard about the Space Force and now to see it come to fruition today with the renaming ceremony, it certainly is exciting to be a part of a page in history,” said Chief Jamie Kurzenberger, Superintendent of the 213th Space Warning Squadron.

The history and mission of the base began in 1958 when the U. S. Air Force acquired the site to set up a Ballistic Missile Early Warning Systems and became fully operational in November of 1961 as the second detachment of the 71st Missile Warning Wing. The detachment became the 13th Missile Warning Squadron in January 1967. The unit was re-designated as the 13th Space Warning Squadron and reassigned under the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

On Dec. 20, 2019, United States Space Force was officially established and 13 SWS was realigned under the newest branch of the Armed Forces. On July 24, 2020, the 13 SWS was transferred to Space Delta 4 headquartered at Buckley AFB, now Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.

“The future of Clear Space Force Station remains bright, and it will continue to be an indispensable location conducting critical national missions supporting missile defense, and space domain awareness operations,” said Bourquin.

Clear Space Force Station was the third Air Force Station renamed as a Space Force Station. As the stand-up of the USSF continues, additional installations, including overseas locations with space-focused missions, may be identified for renaming.

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