Joining a number of distinguished military leaders in Colorado, state Rep. Su Ryden of Colorado House District 36 will visit the Buckley Air Force Base Leadership Development Center next week to read a proclamation from Gov. John W. Hickenlooper declaring Friday, Dec. 4, as Space-based Missile Warning Day in Colorado.
The ceremony will also include remarks from Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander; Col. Mike Jackson, 460th Operations Group commander; and Col. Thomas McKenna, 233rd Space Group commander. Additionally, videos will be shown illustrating the history and lineage of space-based missile warning.
The proclamation comes in part due to the 45th anniversary of the Defense Support Program satellite, which has provided the United State and its allies persistent watch for missile launches worldwide since 1970. Colorado has been home to the 460th Space Wing, which operates the space-based infrared system 24/7/365, and the 233rd Space Group, which maintains the mobile ground system capable of commanding the satellites in the event of an attack. This continuous sensing capability is a foundational part of national security and defense.
The text of the governor’s proclamation is as follows:
WHEREAS, since 1970, the United States Air Force at Buckley Air Force Base has used infrared data to accurately track missile launches worldwide, providing an essential component of global defense and national security; and
WHEREAS, approximately 8,000 infrared events are detected and addressed each year, all from spacecraft connected to Colorado, providing safety and security to billions of people around the world; and
WHEREAS, the 460th Space Wing at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado provides operational command and control of three constellations of space-based infrared missile warning systems and today celebrates the 45th anniversary of the initial operational capability of the Defense Support Program (DSP) spacecraft; and
WHEREAS, the 233rd Space Group at Greeley Air National Guard Station in Greeley, Colorado provides the nation’s only persistent, survivable space-based missile warning capacity and is comprised of dedicated citizens from the Colorado Air National Guard; and
WHEREAS, Colorado is proud to be a leader in providing space-based missile warning which has a far-reaching utility and whose multi-use services are critical to national and global security;
Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the entire State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim, forever after, December 4, 2015, as
SPACE-BASED MISSILE WARNING DAY
GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this fourth day of December, 2015
John W. Hickenlooper
Governor in the State of Colorado.