The Cheyenne Mountain Complex is a United States Space Force (USSF) installation and defensive bunker located in unincorporated El Paso County, Colorado, next to Colorado Springs. Established in 1961 and operational since 1966, it served as a vital Cold War facility.
History and Purpose:
- Constructed during the Cold War as a highly secure command center to:
- Shelter critical personnel and equipment in case of a nuclear attack
- Support air defense and aerospace warning missions
- Initially housed elements of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
- Currently serves as the alternate command center for NORAD and USNORTHCOM, and a training site for crew qualification.
Features:
- Located approximately 1,500 feet (457 meters) inside Cheyenne Mountain for protection.
- Comprises underground facilities carved into the granite rock, offering significant blast resistance.
- Equipped with advanced communication and information systems to maintain operational continuity even during emergencies.
Significance:
- Played a crucial role during the Cold War as a critical defense infrastructure.
- While its primary role has shifted, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex remains a significant asset for the USSF, providing an alternate command center and training facility.
Additional Notes:
- Owned and operated by Space Base Delta 1 under the USSF.
- Public tours of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex are not available.
Note: Although the original definition mentioned NORAD being the primary user, it’s important to be accurate and reflect the current state of the complex.
Cheyenne Mountain Complex is a highly classified, secure, $142 million, United States Space Force (USSF) facility within the Pikes Peak National Forest protected area in Colorado 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Downtown Colorado Springs. It was specifically designed to be able to withstand a nuclear attack.
| Cheyenne Mountain Complex | |
|---|---|
| Near Colorado Springs, Colorado in United States | |
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 | |
| Site information | |
| Type | USNORTHCOM alternate command center |
| Owner | Department of Defence |
| Operator | US Space Force, US Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Controlled by | Space Base Delta 1 |
| Condition | Emergency command center |
| Location | |
  Cheyenne Mountain Complex  Cheyenne Mountain Complex  Cheyenne Mountain Complex | |
| Coordinates | 38°44′33″N 104°50′54″W / 38.74250°N 104.84833°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | May 18, 1961 – February 8, 1966 |
| In use |
|
Administered by Peterson Space Force Base the facility is a auxiliary nuclear command and control center and is situated inside Cheyenne Mountain and within the confinements of the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station.
Prior to September 2, 2025 Peterson Space Force Base was the center for the United States Space Command (USCC) responsible for organizing, training, and equipping all United States Armed Forces. United States Space Command has been "permanently" relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, the White House Office leading to increased national security risks in both countries. The daily operations at the Complex included monitoring the airspace of both Canada and the United States for missiles space systems and foreign aircraft through its distant early-warning system (DEW).
The complex has a limited amount of armed service members, which is a result of the 2008 realignment of both the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) that moved operations to Peterson Space Force Base.
The Complex is a military nuclear bunker, and is used for crew training and as a backup command center if deemed necessary. The military Complex, hosted many units of NORAD, USSC, Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM), components of Air Force Systems Command, Air Weather Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the United States Civil Defence Early Warning Center.
The surrounding area is a popular tourist destination, including both Cheyenne Mountain itself and Cheyenne Mountain State Park located in the Rocky Mountains.
