PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Civic leaders from across the Pikes Peak Region gathered at Peterson Space Force Base for this year’s State of the Base address on May 19, 2026.
U.S. Space Force Col. Kenneth Klock, Space Base Delta 1 commander, outlined mission updates, economic impact, and priorities for Space Base Delta 1.
The annual Commander’s State of the Base address is held to provide information to local leaders, offering a forum to share mission developments, installation priorities, and upcoming initiatives.
Space Base Delta 1 provides base operational support for four installations: Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, and the Maui Space Surveillance Complex in Hawaii, each supporting vital space missions. SBD 1 maintains the infrastructure and resources required to keep these missions operational.
“SBD 1 Airmen and Guardians keep the lights on, provide base security and maintain the communications systems that allow mission partners to execute their operations,” said Klock. “While we may not deploy forward to conduct combat operations ourselves, those operations happen from our installations, making reliable infrastructure and base support mission critical.”
Topics during the address included the installations’ economic impact, infrastructure modernization and unit descriptions. Klock also discussed community partnerships, growth opportunities near the bases, and the role of space missions at Peterson in national security operations.
Peterson Space Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station contribute nearly $2.7 billion annually to the Colorado Springs community. The installation supports more than 16,000 jobs in the Pikes Peak Region.
Klock acknowledged the support of the Mayor’s Office, the Chamber of Commerce, and other community organizations. He noted that SBD 1 works with community leaders in areas including infrastructure development, housing, technology sectors, and services such as healthcare, childcare, and recreation.
Klock also addressed responsible development, citing noise, light pollution, height restrictions, and electromagnetic interference as potential factors that can affect mission capabilities. SBD 1 coordinates with regional planners to align development with mission requirements and community needs.
“The missions that we conduct here on Peterson Space Force Base are vital to national security,” said Klock. “We couldn’t do what we do as effectively without our strong partnership with Colorado Springs and the surrounding community.”
Klock concluded his address by assuring those in attendance that “the state of the base is strong.”