Peterson Space Force Base Through Time

Peterson Space Force Base, originally established in 1926, evolved from an Army airbase to a key space defense hub.

Established in 1926, the Colorado Springs Airport—through a lease between the City of Colorado Springs and the War Department—became the nucleus of the Colorado Springs Army Air Base, providing training for P-38E photo reconnaissance aircrews. In December 1942, the installation was renamed Peterson Army Air Base in honor of Lieutenant Edward J. Peterson, a native Coloradan, who...