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~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado 
Peterson Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located at Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States and it provides runways for the adjacent City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport under a shared joint civil-military airport arrangement. It was named in honor of 1st Lt Edward Joseph Peterson who was killed in a crash at the base.
Peterson AFB is home to the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), AFSPC's 21st Space Wing (21 SW), Army Space Command, and the Air Force Reserve Command's 302d Airlift Wing (302 AW). The 21 SW serves as host unit for Peterson AFB. 
Peterson AFB traces its roots to the Colorado Springs Army Air Base, established on 28 April 1942 at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport which had been in operation since 1926. The base carried out photo reconnaissance training under the auspices of the Photo Reconnaissance Operational Training Unit (PROTU). On 22 June 1942 Colorado Springs Army Air Base was assigned to the 2d Air Force, headquartered at Fort George Wright, Washington. 
The base assumed a new mission in October 1943, that of heavy bomber combat crew training. The 383rd Bomb Group (Heavy) relocated here from Geiger Field in Washington to form the nucleus for a heavy bomber training operation, utilizing the B-24 "Liberator." Before that, "Peterson Field," as the base was commonly called, was assigned to the 3rd Air Force, headquartered at MacDill Field, Tampa, Fla. After October 1943, control of Peterson Field then reverted to the 2nd Air Force, headquartered in downtown Colorado Springs. Learn More About The History Of Peterson Air Force Base HERE!
The 21st Space Wing, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the Air Force's only organization providing missile warning and space control to unified commanders and combat forces worldwide. They are located in five countries, crossing 13 time zones, consisting of five groups, a director of staff, 39 units at 27 locations. They literally cover the world with their operations.
The 21st SW provides missile warning and space control to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Strategic Command through a network of command and control units and ground based sensors operated by geographically separated units around the world.
 Principal military flight operations at Peterson AFB are currently conducted by the 302d Airlift Wing (302 AW), an Air Mobility Command (AMC)-gained unit of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC). Previously stationed at the former Rickenbacker AFB, Ohio, the 302 AW relocated to Peterson in 1985 when Rickenbacker converted to an Air National Guard installation. The 302 AW consists of over 1,200 traditional part-time Air Force Reservists and over 200 full-time Air Reserve Technician (ART), Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) and USAF civil service personnel operating and maintaining 13 C-130H Hercules aircraft. 
On 28 July 2006, operations formerly conducted in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) were relocated to Peterson Air Force Base for purposes of efficiency. The Cheyenne Mountain Complex will be left on warm standby until such time the protection of the mountain is again required. NORAD officials no longer feel there is a threat of an intercontinental nuclear attack which could disrupt NORAD's operations.
Learn More About Peterson Air Force Base HERE!
The Peterson Air And Space Museum's mission is to preserve and portray the rich aviation and space history of Colorado Springs and Peterson Air Force Base. It is located within an 8.3 acre Colorado State Historic District. Exhibits feature the WW II Peterson Army Air Base, the Binational (United States and Canadian) North American Aerospace Defense Command, US Air Force and Army Air Defense Commands, and the US Air Force Space Command. The Museum's Airpark collection includes sixteen aircraft and six missiles. 
Visit The Peterson Air And Space Museum HERE!
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.
Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun! We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way. God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always |