Buckley Space Force Base (BFK)

Buckley Space Force Base (KBKF (BFK)), located in Aurora, Colorado, is a United States Space Force installation with a rich history and multifaceted operations.

Type of Facility and Operations: Buckley Space Force Base is a U.S. Space Force installation primarily focused on space-based missile warning and infrared detection satellite operations. It serves as a critical link in the nation's network for these capabilities. The base also supports various aviation alert, training, and refueling missions, including serving as a refueling location for Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft, sometimes including Air Force One. The host unit, Space Base Delta 2 (SBD2), is responsible for base administration and support under Space Operations Command. Key operational units at Buckley include Space Delta 4, which commands Space Force's missile warning forces and operates Defense Support Program (DSP) and Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellations. The base provides unencumbered "look angles" for antennae to ensure constant communication with space surveillance and missile tracking satellites. Buckley also hosts the Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing, which flies F-16C Fighting Falcons, the National Reconnaissance Office's Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, and numerous other tenant units from various military branches. The airfield has one runway, 14/32, which is 3,354.7 meters (11,006 ft) long.

Notable Features and History: Established in 1938 as Demolition Bombing Range–Lowry Auxiliary Field, it was renamed Buckley Field in 1941 after World War I pilot 1st Lt. John Harold Buckley. During World War II, it was a significant armament school and basic training center, graduating tens of thousands of airmen. Over the years, it transitioned through several designations, including Naval Air Station Denver (1947-1960) and Buckley Air National Guard Base (1960-2000). Its space mission began in 1969 with the development of the Defense Support Program ground station. In 2000, it became Buckley Air Force Base, and on June 4, 2021, it was officially renamed Buckley Space Force Base, signifying its realignment under the newly established United States Space Force. Development on the base's western boundary previously led to the closure of one of its two runways.

Current Status: Buckley Space Force Base is currently operational and controlled by the United States Space Force (Space Operations Command). It is home to Space Base Delta 2 and Space Delta 4, among other units, supporting approximately 3,500 active duty members, 4,000 National Guard personnel and reservists, and over 96,000 retirees, veterans, and dependents in the community. The base is a significant economic contributor to the local area, estimated to provide over $1 billion annually. In a recent development, facilities at Buckley Space Force Base are also being used for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including a temporary processing and holding location for detained individuals, though military personnel are not directly involved in the ICE operations.