- Text Size
-
-
Peterson Air Force Base
|
Peterson Air Force Base is located at an altitude of 6,035 feet on the east side of Colorado springs near the junction of highways US 24 and Colorado 94. The Base covers approximately 1,278 acres. Peterson Air Force Base is considered a joint-use installation because the airfield is owned and operated by the city of Colorado Springs, and collectively used by military and civilian aircraft. Other military installations in the area include:
|
|
Peterson Air Force Base traces its roots to the Colorado Springs Army Air Base, established in April 1942 at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport. The base carried out photo reconnaissance training under the auspices of the Photo Reconnaissance Operational Training Unit. The base is named after 1st Lt. Edward J. Peterson, an Operations Officer and native of Colorado who crashed while attempting to take off from the airfield on August 8, 1942.
In October 1943, the mission at "Peterson Field," as it was then called, changed to heavy bomber combat crew training. In April 1945, Peterson Field was assigned to Continental Air Forces. The base mission changed again with the location of the Army Air Forces Instructors School at the base. On December 31, 1945, the Army inactivated the base, turning the property over to the City of Colorado Springs.
In September 1947, the newly formed United States Air Force reactivated the base from September 1947 to January 1948, and again from September 1948 into 1949. In January 1951, the Air Force activated Peterson Field once more and on March 1, 1976, Peterson Field was renamed Peterson Air Force Base. Strategic Air Command assumed control of the base on October 1, 1979, and United States Air Force officials activated Air Force Space Command at Peterson in September 1982.
Today, the 21st Space Wing is host at Peterson Air Force Base. The Wing commands and supports sensor units located throughout the world. Its primary mission is to provide management, training and evaluation for assigned missile warning, space surveillance, intelligence and communication sites. Peterson Air Force Base is also responsible for providing support functions for Schriever Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Headquarters North American Radar Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and Headquarters Air Force Space Command (HQ AFSPC). |
|
Land use at Peterson Air Force Base consists of a combination of administrative, industrial, special space mission, residential, community, recreational and aircraft operations. Industrial operations have generally be associated with aircraft and vehicle maintenance such as engine repair, aircraft systems maintenance and painting.
The Phase I study identified past operations at Peterson Air Force Base that generated hazardous waste, the types of wastes generated, and where the wastes ended up. A summary of this information is found in the Remedial Investigation Report (Hazardous Waste Remedial Action Program, September 1989). The landfills, Former Fire Training Area and Industrial Area Storm Sewer/Leach Field were estimated to have received the majority of hazardous waste generated during Base activities.
Site Summaries
|
|
Documents related to the environmental cleanup and Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) activities at Peterson Air Force Base can be found at the following locations:
F.E. Warren Air Force Base
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Colorado Springs Electronic versions of all final documents can be found in the two libraries listed below:
Colorado Springs Penrose Library - Special Collections 20 North Cascade Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903 719-531-6333
Colorado Springs East Library branch 5550 North Union Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719-531-6333
|
|
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) Contact: Tracie White State Remedial Project Manager Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246-1530 303-692-3452 1-888-569-1831 Ext. 3452
Installation Restoration Program (IRP) contact: Lee Pivonka State Remedial Project Manager Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246-1530 303-692-3453 1-888-569-1831 Ext. 3453
Community Involvement contact: Jeannine Natterman State Public Involvement Coordinator Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246-1530 303-692-3303 1-888-569-1831 Ext. 3303 Jeannine.Natterman@state.co.us
F.E. Warren Air Force Base John Wright USAF AFSPC 90 SW/EM F.E. Warren AFB Cheyenne, WY 307-773-4147 |
©
State of Colorado 