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Buckley Air Force Base

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Buckley Air Force Base

Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado is a joint-operation military base with employees from every branch of military service, including the Guard and Reserve. The base’s missions include missile warning and defense, satellite command and control, and communications. The Buckley AFB host unit, Buckley Garrison, falls under the United States Space Force.

Find information about Buckley Air Force Base, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.

Mission & Units

Space Delta 4 (DEL 4) at Buckley provides strategic and theater missile warning to the United States. Under this organization, the 460th Space Wing is responsible for infrared surveillance worldwide, missile warning and tracking, and homeland defense. The base hosts the 140th Wing, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Colorado Air National Guard (COANG), the Navy Operational Support Center, the Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, and the Army Aviation Support Facility.

Major units and missions at Buckley AFB also include:

  • 460th Civil Engineering Squadron
  • 460th Force Support Squadron
  • 460th Logistics Squadron
  • 460th Medical Squadron
  • 460th Security Forces Squadron
  • 460th Space Wing
  • 566 IS
  • 743d Military Intelligence Battalion
  • Air Reserve Personnel Center
  • Battery A, 1st Battalion, 14th Marines
  • Defense Finance and Accounting Systems Denver Center
  • Detachment 45, Space and Missile System Center
  • Military Entrance Processing Station
  • Naval Security Group Denver
  • Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center
  • Navy Personnel Support Detachment
  • Second Space Warning Squadron (2SWS)

History

Originally named Buckley Field, (named after World War One fighter pilot 1st Lieutenant John Harold Buckley) the base was established after the city of Denver purchased the land and donated it to the Army during World War Two. 

Buckley Field was an Army operation responsible for training some 50,000 troops including technical schools for bombers and armorers. At the end of the Second World War, Buckley functioned as an auxiliary of Lowry Air Force Base until it was given to the Air National Guard, and later subsequently turned over to the United States Navy. 

This all happened within a 36-month time frame, resulting in the installation being designated Naval Air Station Denver until 1959. That is when the base became Buckley Air Force Base. And the back-and-forth didn’t end there. Only about a year went by before the facility was again redesignated, this time as Buckley Air National Guard Base.

This move made military history as the first stand-alone Air National Guard Base, where the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron which would support the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and Operations Desert Storm, Northern Watch, and Iraqi Freedom.

In the year 2000 the base reverted back to active duty Air Force operations, becoming the home of the 460th Space Wing in 2001, plus continued support for the Colorado Air National Guard 120th Fighter Squadron, the Air Mobility Command’s 200th Airlift Squadron, the 137th Space Warning Squadron, and the 240th Civil Engineering Flight. 

Today, the mission continues with Space Delta 4, 460th Space Wing, and associated operations providing missile warning and defense, satellite command and control, and communications.

Contacts

Main Base Address and Phone Numbers

Buckley AFB (6th Ave Gate)
18500 East 6th Ave
Aurora, CO 80011

  • 720-847-1110
  • 312-847-1110

Important Buckley Air Force Base Contact Numbers

  • AFOSI (720) 847-6624
  • Airman & Family Readiness (720) 847-6681
  • American Red Cross (303) 722-7474
  • Buckley Clinic (720) 847-9355
  • Command Post (720) 847-5613
  • Crime Stop (720) 847-7770
  • Emergency 911
  • Flight Medicine (720) 847-6971
  • Inspector General (720) 847-9277
  • SARC (720) 847-7272
  • Security Forces (720) 847-9250
  • Snow Line (720) 847-7669
  • Education Office (720) 847-6675

Surrounding Area

Buckley AFB is in the same general area as Peterson Air Force Base, Fort Carson, and Schriever AFB. The base is roughly half an hour from Denver, and there are many attractions there to keep Buckley troops coming back. Major league sports there include the Colorado Rockies, the Denver Broncos, and the Colorado Avalanche.

The Mile High City also features a great deal of arts and culture; the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a popular family destination, and there are many art districts in the area including The Art District on Santa Fe, said to be the center of Denver’s creative scene with more than 30 studios and artist galleries. Live music is also big in Denver; the Bluebird Theater and Live At Jacks are just two of the destinations you’ll want to explore for live performances.

Buckley AFB is roughly an hour from Colorado Springs with its impressive Garden Of The Gods, a registered National Landmark complete with trails, rock climbing, jeep tours, etc.

Sports fans will find plenty of live sports, performances, and other entertainment at the Broadmoor World Arena in “the Springs”. This area is a destination spot for fans of history with the Colorado Springs National Museum of World War II Aviation, the Petersen Air And Space Museum, and the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. 

Inprocessing and Check-In

All new arrivals to Buckley AFB are directed to check in with their gaining unit Command Support Staff during normal duty hours. You must report in uniform and it’s best to assume when reporting that you will begin processing same-day including a referral to the Buckley AFB Finance Office for travel voucher submission.

Those eligible for permissive TDY by your unit Commander may begin that TDY once initial inprocessing is complete–do not begin your house hunting without ensuring you are on PTDY otherwise you will be charged regular leave.

 Military Personnel Section (Bldg 606) handles all check-in procedures for those who do not at Command Support Staff help available at arrival time.

Services

Health Care

Healthcare at Buckley is provided by the 460th Medical Group. No emergency services are available at the base. Healthcare options include:

  • Family practice
  • Aero medical services
  • Pediatrics
  • “Limited gynecological services”
  • Immunization
  • Physical therapy
  • Optometry
  • Mental health
  • Substance abuse
  • Family advocacy
  • Laboratory
  • Pharmacy

The official site reminds military members that registration is required with the 460th Medical Group prior to getting care. All medical services beyond what is listed here may be referred to, or offered by, providers in the TRICARE network. 

Make an appointment with the primary care clinic by calling 720-847-WELL (9355) but same-day appointments may not be available.

Child Care

Childcare is provided by the Child Development Centers on base serving military families Monday through Friday, closed federal holidays. There is high demand for childcare at Buckley and waiting lists will apply. Registration is required for all care; when you have PCS orders to the base it is strongly encouraged to register at militarychildcare.com to request care. 

Priority placement is offered to single active duty military parents, dual active duty military parents, and single DoD civilian parents. 

Household Goods

Those PCSing to the base are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments to Buckley AFB via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can get local help from the Buckley TMO office at (720) 847-6685.

Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue

All ID card services at Buckley AFB are handled at the Military Personnel Flight (MPF); walk-ins are discouraged and all services should be made by appointment via the RAPIDS system or by calling 720-847-6319. 

Two acceptable forms of unexpired ID are required for most services and dependents who need ID card services in the absence of the sponsoring military member are required to provide a power of attorney or other acceptable substitute–call the MPF for more information.

Schools

Like many states, where the military family lives will help determine where school-age children get their education. There are four public schools in the local area near Buckley AFB:

  • Aurora Public Schools
  • Douglas County Public Schools
  • Denver Public Schools
  • Cherry Creek Schools

Those who live on base send their children to schools in the Aurora Public School District. The state of Colorado is unique in that children are not required to attend kindergarten; parents who choose kindergarten must select a part-day or full-day program for their children who must be age five by the first day of October. 

Registration requirements will vary from district to district but in general the following are required:

  • Photo ID of Parent/Guardian
  • Birth certificate or an acceptable-to-the-school copy
  • Valid passport
  • Proof of address
  • Immunization records.

Call the Buckley AFB School Liaison Office for more information: 720-847-6694.

Housing

Housing at Buckley AFB is privatized and operated in partnership with Hunt Military Communities. 

All inbound personnel are directed to use the Air Force Housing website to learn more about Buckley AFB housing options and support services. All new arrivals must check in with the Military Housing Office (MHO) for local housing counseling before you sign any legally binding agreement, written lease, or rental/sales contract for housing. 

Single and unaccompanied service members PCSing to Buckley are assigned base housing in the barracks; this applies to those between the rank of E-1 to E-3, plus E-4s with less than 3 years of service. Unaccompanied service members who are E-4s (with more than three years of service) will use housing in the local community. 

PCS and TDY Lodging

Temporary lodging at Buckley AFB is provided by Rocky Mountain Lodge. Make reservations at 720-847-5899 or online at the Department of Defense Lodging website. Pet facilities may be limited or unavailable; check first when making reservations. 

Those traveling on orders have priority; those eligible to use these facilities include active-duty military members, retirees, DoD employees and family members traveling on leave, PCS, TDY, or other orders. In cases where on base lodging is not available, you have the option of contacting nearby bases but Schriever AFB has no TLF.

Transportation

The usual ride sharing and commercial taxi options are available from Denver International Airport, but traffic issues can affect the duration and cost of your journey during peak travel times. Ask your sponsor for the best options to travel from the airport, or arrange for your sponsor to meet you at Denver International.

Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

You do not need to register a vehicle here; All drivers must carry a current license, valid (not expired) vehicle registration, military ID, and proof of minimum insurance in order to operate POVS at Buckley. All vehicles entering the base are subject to search, ID checks, etc.

Random searches may apply depending on mission requirements, threat levels, and other variables. Colorado state law permits military members to file a non-resident form you obtain from the Judge Advocate’s office on base, to show the service member is a non-resident in the state and exempt from state vehicle taxes.

When driving on base, all privately owned vehicles must stay out of any area marked “Controlled” or “Restricted” unless the proper clearances have been obtained. Those who do not have clearance and enter these areas may be detained by security forces.

Colorado drivers must submit to emissions testing for all automobiles every other year on vehicles 1982 or newer. Emissions tests are also required annually on vehicles older than 1981.