Defenders move into new building

Leadership from the 460th Space Wing and 460th Mission Support Group cut the ribbon during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 460th Security Forces Squadron building June 6, 2013, on Buckley Air Force Base. Thebuilding was designed to be Leader in Energy and Environmental Design certified. It includes using natural lighting and a heat pump that can be used year round to both heat and cool the building. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

Defenders move into new building

Team Buckley members salute the flag during the 460th Security Forces Squadron ribbon-cutting ceremony June 6, 2013, on Buckley Air Force Base . The new 35,000 square-foot facility is designed to be environmentally conscious and consolidate all parts of security forces into one building. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

Defenders move into new building

Maj. David Haigh, 460th Security Forces Squadron commander, challenges his Airmen to earn their new building at the 460th Security Forces Squadron ribbon-cutting ceremony June 6, 2013, on Buckley Air Force Base. The 460th SFS was previously housed in one of the oldest buildings on Buckley, and are now located in a state-of-the-art facility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Phillip Houk/Released)

Defenders move into new building

Published June 10, 2013
By Senior Airman Phillip Houk
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Leadership from the 460th Space Wing and 460th Mission Support Group cut the ribbon during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 460th Security Forces Squadron building June 6.

"Eight years ago this squadron was simply an 18-person security element," said Maj. David Haigh, 460th SFS commander, "and as it stands today, the 460th Security Forces Squadron has 223 members. It has become one of the largest squadrons on base."

The $8.5 million facility will provide the space and technology required to increase mission capability and boost morale.

"The morale of a unit can seriously go down if the building is decrepit," Haigh said. "Building 620 was the oldest occupied squadron facility on the entire base. There was something wrong with that building on a weekly basis, whether it was a leak or heat not working. The little things that would chip away at your morale and then you put a squadron that went through that for years in this, and day one morale was through the roof."

During the last few years, the 460th SFS was forced to scatter their offices due to lack of space. This new building solves that problem by consolidating Buckley's Defenders into one place.

"After quite some time we are finally able to combine all of our security forces operations into one building," said Col. Robert Uemura, 460th MSG commander. "This state-of-the-art facility is absolutely amazing, and is a great blend of function and design."

The 35,000 square-foot building was also designed to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified. It includes using natural lighting and a heat pump that can be used year round to both heat and cool the building, according to Uemura.

"This building is great and puts the icing on the cake that we are the benchmark standard for security forces in space command," Haigh said.

Now equipped with more capabilities, higher expectations have been set for 460th SFS members.

"Now we have to earn it," Haigh said.