76th Space Control Squadron holds grand opening

  • Published
  • By Capt. Dustin Lee
  • 76th Space Control Squadron
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  On Feb. 9, 2007, then-Lt. Col. Jim Jennings, 76th Space Control Squadron commander, broke ground on a new state-of-the-art space control facility to house one of the Air Force's premier space control units. The facility of excellence was designed to encompass 4.1 acres of land and provide 34,700 square feet of operations and administrative space at a cost of $13.4 million.

On April 5, the 76th SPCS Lobos celebrated finally moving into their new home. More than three years after breaking ground, Colonel Jennings, now the 21st Space Wing vice commander, served as the guest speaker for the building's grand opening ceremony.

"I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to come back to the very same grounds and provide closure to one more epic journey of this great squadron," Colonel Jennings said. He stood near the exact spot where the first dirt was turned and spoke of his pride in the men and women of the 76th, the important contributions they have made in the space control mission area, and the significance of having an exceptional facility to match the exceptional personnel of the 76th.

Giant novelty scissors in hand, Colonel Jennings assisted Col. Stephen Whiting, 21st SW commander, Col. Nina Armagno, 21st Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Elvert Gardner, the Lobos' commander, in cutting the ribbon to officially open the new facility.

Colonel Gardner, current commander of the 76th SPCS, oversaw the grand opening event and gave his own comments at the ribbon cutting ceremony. He expressed unequivocal pride in his unit's Airmen.

"This transition is more than a mere relocation of equipment and personnel," he said. "This move to Building 2028 is representative of the continuing evolution of this squadron and this mission area."

The new home of the 76th SPCS boasts a high bay for equipment maintenance and repair, multiple training rooms, office and work space for the squadron's 96 personnel, conference rooms, kitchen/break room space, and ample storage for the squadron's equipment. The new building represents a vast improvement over the Lobo's previous home - an older hangar on the west side of the base which offered no training rooms, office space for only a third of the squadron's personnel, and inadequate space for the Lobo's mission equipment.

Outside the brand new maintenance high bay, the Lobos' new home stands picturesque against the backdrop of Pikes Peak. On the day of the grand opening, the squadron's antennas sat serenely alongside the building. However, despite their stillness, they still served as a potent reminder of this squadron's purpose. The 76th can be called upon at any time to defend the United States' space superiority from anywhere on the globe - and the many outstanding features offered by their new home will only further their ability to train and carry out that mission.

 

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