U.S. Space Force Col. Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1, took a tour of the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron Nov. 21 as part of a larger survey of the squadrons under his command that support the weapons systems infrastructure for SBD 1 .
“Mission growth at Peterson, Schriever and Cheyenne Mountain has consumed significant infrastructure capacity over the past decade,” Klock said. “To address this issue, we are working with Space Operations Command and our stakeholders to identify and prioritize infrastructure investments that support mission readiness and resilience. Space Base Delta 1 contains much of the infrastructure that enables Space Force capabilities critical to national security. It’s important for me to see firsthand and understand in detail how this infrastructure works and what it means to the Space Force.”
With approximately $2.2 billion in infrastructure being maintained and maintained as part of the 21st CES, systems such as HVAC and cabling are mission critical.
“If you make a comparison to the Air Force, in the Space Force, the electrical grid on base is like jet fuel and the HVAC systems are like ammunition,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jonathan Herman, 21st CES commander. “Without CES maintaining the infrastructure on this base, there are no Space Force weapons systems.”
Klock began his tour by driving up in a bucket truck to look at a parking lot light that needed repair. Part of the repair included consideration of changing the lighting to an LED system, which uses significantly less power, thereby reducing the Colorado Springs base's overall power consumption.
The next stop on the tour was a briefing on snow removal procedures and equipment, where Klock introduced the team that recently handled the record-breaking snowstorm in early November.
“Here at Peterson SFB, we not only clear snow from the roads so our personnel can go to work, but we also clear snow here for the runway that we share with our mission partners and Colorado Springs Airport,” said Senior Airman Levi Dickinson, 21st CES pavement and equipment supervisor.
The tour's final stop was the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Building, where CES EOD specialists learn and practice the craft that helps the entire state of Colorado safely dispose of military and other explosive ordnance.
“Our people can and are called across the state when local emergency services come into contact with unexploded ordnance,” Herman said. “EOD is a capability that is critical not only in combat overseas, but also for Colorado.”
Klock concluded his immersion tour by emphasizing the importance of the 21st CES as a mission-critical element to the USSF weapons systems infrastructure. Although clearing snow from roads and maintaining HVAC systems become routine, these tasks are critical to enabling Guardsmen and Airmen to serve and protect our nation's interests.