Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado/ Denver Security Operations Center Buckley AFB, Colorado Version of 2011-11-28 Additional material for this sourcebook would be welcome. Please send it to [email protected] http://www.buckley.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4455 U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet MAJOR TENANT ORGANIZATIONS [Retrieved 2009-05-23] Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado The Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado is a multi-mission ground station responsible for supporting worldwide defense operations and multi-agency collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of intelligence information. It provides data to defense, intelligence, and civil agencies supporting the U.S. Government and its Allies. 566th Intelligence Squadron The history of the 566th Intelligence Squadron (IS) begins in the midst of World War II, when the 16th Photographic Technical Unit was activated on Nov. 5, 1944, at Charleroi, Belgium. Subordinate to the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, the 16th Photographic Technical Unit was assigned at several bases throughout Europe, including Vogelsang, Limburg, and Eschwege, Germany, as well as in France. Following World War II, the unit moved to MacDill Field, Fla., where it was decommissioned on Dec. 21, 1945. The unit remained inactive until Sept. 7, 1993, when the 16th Intelligence Squadron was activated at Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colo. The unit was re-designated the 566th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) on Oct. 1, 1995. Renamed later as the 566th Information Operations Squadron (IOS) on Aug. 1, 2000, this unit aided Buckley in its transition from an Air National Guard base to an active duty Air Force base. The primary mission of the 566th IS is force provider to the Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, providing leading-edge information superiority and technical support in the performance of joint national system missions. Joint Force Headquarters - Colorado Joint Force Headquarters - Colorado, consisting of the JFHQ-CO Commander (The Adjutant General of Colorado), Director of Joint Staff, Ground Forces Component Commander, Air Forces Component Commander, Space Forces Component Commander, and their respective subordinate staffs, commands and controls all assigned Colorado Army and Air National Guard units and other assigned forces. JFHQ-CO provides trained and equipped forces that are combat ready, relevant, reliable and accessible to accomplish the full spectrum of federal and state missions. On order of the president and/or the governor, as appropriate, JFHQ-CO executes assigned missions and provides support and/or command and control for other forces, such as DoD elements and agencies. JFHQ-CO coordinates and conducts training with civil authorities on a regular basis to ensure processes are in place when terrorism or disaster strikes. Within 72 hours after Hurricane Katrina laid her trail of destruction, JFHQ-CO had troops arriving in the first military aircraft to land at Gulfport, Miss., since the storm passed. Colorado Soldiers and Airmen continued to support the hardest hit areas of Mississippi and Louisiana throughout the relief efforts, while maintaining readiness to support global war operations and domestic emergencies. 140th Wing More than 75 years ago, the 140th Wing's subordinate unit, the 120th Fighter Squadron, mustered into the Colorado Army National Guard as the 120th Observation Squadron, 45th Division - Aviation. The unit initially flew Curtis JNSEs (better known as Jennies) - an aircraft which eventually proved unsuitable for Denver's high elevations. Nonetheless, the 120th persevered, flying just before sunrise and after sunset, when air is less turbulent. Mobilization for World War II took place on January 6, 1941, 11 months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The unit then moved to Biggs Field, Texas and remained intact until the war when the 120th disbanded and its members dispersed to share their knowledge and experience in the nation's rapidly growing Air Corps. In 1946, the 120th reorganized to become a separate entity. That year the unit became the first Air National Guard unit to be federally recognized. Reactivated as the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the squadron began flying the P-51 Mustang. Also formed was the 140th Fighter Group - later to become the 120th Fighter Squadron and 140th Wing, respectively. Shortly after World War II, in 1947, during the days of the "barnstormers," the 120th TFS organized an aerial demonstration team called the "Minute Men." This team was federally recognition in 1956, making it the first and only Air National Guard aerial demonstration team, recognized at the same level as the Thunderbirds. The Minute Men performed before more than three million people in 47 states and five foreign countries before losing funding in 1959. The team traveled an estimated 1,135,000 miles - equivalent to six and a half times around the planet. This highly decorated unit has been mobilized for World War II, the Korean War, the Berlin Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Pueblo Crisis and Vietnam, in addition to many domestic efforts. During the Pueblo Crisis the 120th spent 15 months on active duty, including a year at Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam. More recently, the Wing has been called upon for service in Operation Desert Storm, Operations Northern and Southern Watch, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hours after the planes hit the World Trade Center, on Sep. 11, 2001, dedicated aircrews had jets patrolling Colorado skies ready to challenge any who would threaten freedom. That mission became the Air Sovereignty Alert mission and continues today. Colorado Army National Guard The Colorado Army National Guard maintains 23 armories, and is present in 20 communities. The major units of the Colorado Army National Guard are: * Joint Force Headquarters - Colorado * 89th Troop Command * 100 Ground Missile Defense Brigade * 169th Field Artillery Brigade The Colorado Army National Guard has nearly 3,000 men and women spread across more than 49 units. The mission of the Colorado Army National Guard is to, at the federal level, provide combat ready Citizen- Soldiers, leaders and units in support of the National Security Strategy, and to, at the state level, provide Citizen- Soldiers, leaders and units to serve and protect Colorado citizens during natural disasters and civil emergencies. The history of the Colorado National Guard begins in January 1860, when the first General Assembly of the Jefferson Territory authorized the formation of two military companies -- the "Jefferson Rangers" and the "Denver Guards." Feb. 26, 1861, Colorado became a territory of the Union and William Gilpin, the first Governor, organized the "Colorado Volunteers" for the defense of the territory and to oppose the invasion of Confederate forces during the Civil War, already under way. April 27, 1898, the Colorado Guard was mobilized for service in the Spanish-American War and June 14, 1898, sailed for the Philippines. Colorado units participated in numerous battles and played a large role in the capture of Manila. It was on the battlefields of the Philippines that Colorado's only Medal of Honor recipient, Lt. Col. William R. Grove, fought bravely for his country. The Colorado National Guard was recalled for Federal service in 1950 for the Korean Conflict, 1961 during the Berlin Crisis, 1968 for service in Vietnam and during the Persian Gulf in 1990-1991 during Operation Desert Shield/Storm (the 1157th Transportation Company of the Colorado Army National Guard was the first National Guard unit on the ground in Saudi Arabia). In 1999 the Colorado Army National Guard supported approximately 234 counter-drug missions on behalf of the Joint Support Office. In addition to spotting a downed aircraft near Pagosa Springs, aviation assets assisted in various Search and Rescue missions including the rescue of hunters in Summit and Eagle Counties and a downed aircraft at Wolf Creek Pass. COARNG units were also called up for state contingencies in support of flood victims in La Junta. In response to the September 11, 2001 attack on U.S. soil, the COARNG mobilized more than 2,600 Guard members to provide forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many Guard members served on military bases during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In August and September 2005, Task Force Colorado I and II mobilized nearly 1,000 Army Guard members to provide search and rescue, humanitarian support and provide security for the citizens of New Orleans, La., following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The mission required rapid mobilization - the Colorado Army Guard met the challenge and provided immediate coordination within hours of being notified. Our Citizen- Soldiers have proven themselves in the past and will continue to provide responsive, coordinated and steeled support in the future. 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion The 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion supports a multitude of DoD information processing and analysis operations. The battalion strives to be the foremost military intelligence battalion in the U. S. Army, providing leading-edge information superiority and technical support to Combatant Commands, the U.S. Government and its allies. The Battalion is comprised of three companies: Headquarters Operations, Alpha, Bravo, and one overseas detachment. The battalion has supported every U. S. contingency operation since 1989. The unit traces its lineage back to 1954 when the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Army Security