Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

U.S. Air Force Col. Justin Elliot, chief of current operations North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, speaks to the audience during the Forge the Force Fest at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 7, 2025. Forge the Force Fest gave members a day to reconnect with other service members and their families. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

Two participants compete in a game of cornhole at the Forge the Force Fest at Peterson Space Force Base, August 7, 2025. Forge the Force is a choose your own adventure style event designed to help members recharge and reconnect with themselves, teammates, and their families. (U.S. Space Force Photo by 2nd Lt. Jacob Willoughby)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

Kristen Christy, a resilience advocate, shares her story during Forge the Force Fest at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 7, 2025. Forge the Force Fest gave members a day to reconnect with other service members and their families. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

Participants in the Forge the Force Tower Challenge work together to build a makeshift tower with a time limit and unconventional materials at Peterson Space Force Base, August 7, 2025. Forge the Force was a choose-your-own-adventure style event designed to help members recharge and reconnect with themselves, teammates, and their families. (U.S. Space Force Photo by 2nd Lt. Jacob Willoughby)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Meyer, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command chief of staff, gives opening remarks for the Forge the Force event at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 7, 2025. The event emphasized the vital role family support plays in enabling mission readiness and long-term success. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

Jessica Kimber, economic development director, City of Colorado Springs, reads off raffle tickets for prizes during the Forge the Force Fest at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 7, 2025. The event emphasized the vital role family support plays in enabling mission readiness and long-term success. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

U.S. Space Force Col. Kenneth Klock, Space Base Delta 1 commander, delivers an opening statement for Forge the Force at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 7, 2025. Forge the Force Fest gave members a day to reconnect with other service members and their families. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

Nicole Weis, director of Healing and Community Programs at the Lyda Institute for Human Resilience, addresses an audience during Forge the Force Fest at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 7, 2025. The event emphasized the vital role family support plays in enabling mission readiness and long-term success. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

A member of the chaplain corps leads a discussion with a group of attendees during the Forge the Force Fest at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 7, 2025. The event emphasized the vital role family support plays in enabling mission readiness and long-term success. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

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Forge the Force strengthens resilience across Peterson-Schriever community

Published Aug. 12, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez
Space Base Delta 1

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- From wellness workshops to high-energy competitions, Forge the Force Fest united service members, civilian employees, and families Aug. 7 at Peterson SFB in a full-day event designed to reinforce the link between family readiness and mission success.

Hosted by Space Base Delta 1 and Space Base Delta 41 in partnership with the Colorado Springs Mayor’s Office, the event focused on strengthening the total force through wellness, education, and community engagement.

Forge the Force Fest was designed to go beyond providing resources, focusing instead on building connection, resilience, and reinforcing the foundation of a combat-ready force. By uniting as a community, the event aimed to show commitment to every member of the total force.

Keynote speakers included international speaker Kristen Christy, former U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Commander Col. Justin “Astro” Elliot, and Nicole Weis, a community resilience expert with extensive experience in trauma recovery initiatives.

Attendees explored an informational resource fair, joined wellness workshops, enjoyed family-friendly activities, and took part in competitive events such as the Guardian Arena Regionals and an Olympic-style obstacle course featuring Paralympic athletes. The festival also offered complimentary meals, recreational activities, and live giveaways.

With support from the Colorado Springs Mayor’s Office, numerous community organizations participated, providing information, education, and interactive experiences that strengthened ties between the military and the local area.

“Readiness begins with the right tools in hand,” said Master Sgt. Alysha Ivory, first sergeant, 21st Medical Group. “But true resilience? That begins with us. Leaders, teammates, and community, commit to showing up, supporting one another, and forging the way forward.”

Events were held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Hub, Capt. David Lyon Memorial Park, the Bowling Alley, and the Fitness Center, welcoming military personnel, civilian employees, and families from Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station reinforcing the vital link between family readiness and mission success.