Buckley Space Force Base
Buckley Space Force Base Relocation Information
Photo by Senior Airman Danielle McBride on DVIDS
Welcome to Buckley Space Force Base
Buckley SFB, formerly known as Buckley Air Force Base (AFB), has a long history dating back to World War I. In more recent history, the base fulfilled its mission as it engaged in both the Cold War era and Operation Desert Storm. On June 4, 2021, Buckley AFB was renamed Buckley SFB.
Buckley SFB's host unit, Space Base Delta 2, falls under the direction of the United States Space Force, and is responsible for the support of the operational mission of the Space Delta 4 (DEL 4) Missile Warning Delta. Space Base Delta 2 and DEL 4 directly support Combatant Commands across the globe.
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Photo from Buckley Space Force Base Facebook
Buckley SFB employs 3,100 active duty members from all branches of military along with 4,000 National Guard and Reservists, four commonwealth international partners, 2,400 civilians, 2,500 contractors, 36,000 retirees, and approximately 40,000 veterans and family members.
On Buckley SFB:
- The 140th Wing
- Colorado Air National Guard
- The Navy Operational Support Center
- The Aerospace Data Facility Colorado
- The Army Aviation Support Facility
- The Air Reserve Personnel Center
Frequently Asked Questions About Buckley SFB
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A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules refuels at Buckley. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michelle Alvarez on DVIDS
1. What city is Buckley SFB in?
Buckley SFB is located within the eastern city limits of Aurora, Colorado, with Denver, CO, to the east of the base. The U.S. Air Force Academy is about 58 miles south of Buckley, with the city of Castle Rock, CO, in between.
2. How many gates does Buckley SFB have?
Buckley SFB has two active gates, the Mississippi Gate and the 6th Avenue Gate.
- The Mississippi Gate is open 24/7
- 6th Avenue Gate is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The visitor’s center is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays by appointment.
3. Who is Buckley SFB named for?
Buckley SFB is named after 1st LT John Harold '' Buck'' Buckley. Buckley was a pilot from Longmont, CO, assigned to the 28th Aero Squadron in France, where he died in an aircraft collision during the first World War.
4. What is the zip code for Buckley SFB?
The zip code for Buckley SFB is 80011. Other nearby zip codes include 80014, 80015, 80012, and 80237.
5. What is the 2023 BAH for Buckley SFB?
The 2023 BAH for Buckley SFB ranges from $2,469 for E-1 to $3,081 for E-9 with dependents, and $2,784 for O-1 to $3,498 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
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Base Location and Information
Buckley SFB is in Aurora, Colorado, “the Gateway to the Rockies.” It sits twenty-five minutes outside Denver, and though it’s home to approximately 400,000 people, it maintains the charm and community fostered in small towns while offering convenience to big-city amenities.
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Photo from Visit Aurora Facebook
Buckley is about an hour south of Fort Collins, one hour north of Colorado Springs, and just under four hours east of Aspen. Its location makes for unforgettable weekend getaways and day trip adventures.
Nearby military installations:
Arrival Lodging
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Photo from dodlodging
Buckley Lodging Contact Information
Air Force Inns
345 S. Beaver Creek St. Bldg 331
Buckley SFB, Colorado 80011
720-847-5899
Buckley SFB On-Base Housing
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Photo from Buckley Family Housing Facebook
On-base housing is privatized and managed by Buckley Family Housing by Hunt Military Communities. Hunt houses 353 colonial-style homes on Buckley SFB. The on-base neighborhoods offer convenience to the community garden, swimming pool, playgrounds, and picnic areas, as well as base-wide amenities like the BX, commissary, health clinic, and more.
Buckley Family Housing Contact Information
Buckley Family Housing
17300 E. Keystone Boulevard
Aurora, CO 80017
Phone: 720-844-0800
Email: buckleyleasing@huntcompanies.com
Military Housing Office
17300 E. Keystone Blvd. Aurora, CO 80011
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
12:30 pm-3 pm (by appointment only)
Phone: 720-847-5815
Email: BuckleyHousingReferral@us.af.mil
Buckley SFB Off-Base Housing
Homes for sale and houses for rent near Buckley SFB—Buckley SFB Homes
Photo from Canva
Base Search
City Search
Most military families with orders to Buckley SFB choose to live in Aurora, while some embrace the bustling city life and live in the heart of Denver. This region's overall cost of living is higher than the national average, and the housing market sits a little high. However, utilities typically land on the lower side of normal. While you’ll find plenty of options to buy, this area overflows with rentals.
Buckley SFB BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Buckley SFB is near Aurora, CO with options to buy or rent. The Buckley SFB BAH is less than the cost of living in the area. Some sample Buckley SFB 2023 BAH rates for zip code 80011:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,469
- E-1 without dependents: $1,851
- E-9 with dependents: $3,081
- E-9 without dependents: $2,829
- O-1 with dependents: $2,784
- O-1 without dependents: $2,181
- O-7 with dependents: $3,498
- O-7 without dependents: $3,042
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Area Weather and Climate
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Photo from Visit Aurora Facebook
Colorado might be the utopia of the four seasons. The spring here is vibrant in color as flowers bud and bloom, and the grass turns bright green. The summers are sunny, warm, and beautiful. Fall fills the landscape with deep yellow, red, and orange hues, and winter sets the perfect backdrop for sledding, snowboarding, skiing, and more. While you will notice each shift in season, this particular area is milder than many spots in Colorado.
Buckley SFB Area Schools
Photo from Aurora Public Schools Facebook
There are no DoDEA schools located on Buckley SFB. Families who live close to base in Aurora fall within Aurora Public School District.
If you’re looking for a private school education for your children, Private School Review is a great tool to help you find the right fit for you and your family.
Families interested in homeschooling should follow the Colorado Department of Education homeschool regulations. For any questions or concerns, contact the Buckley SFB School Liaison Officer:
Buckley SFB School Liaison Officer (SLO) Information:
17851 E Breckenridge Ave. Bldg. 350
Aurora, CO
720-847-6694
Email: 460FSS.FSY.SchoolLiaison@us.af.mil
Website
Support for Military and Families
Photo by Ilya Pavlov on Unsplash
As of November 2023, the unemployment rate for this region sat at 3.3%, slightly lower than the national rate 3.7%. Some of the most in-demand jobs in the Buckley SFB area include RNs, Sales Associates, Security, Customer Service, Project Managers and Servers.
Some of the area’s top employers:
- UC Health
- Childrens’ Hospital Colorado
- Aurora Public Schools
- Graebel Companies
- City of Aurora
Looking to volunteer? Try these organizations:
Higher education near Buckley SFB:
Other helpful links:
Things to Do Near Buckley SFB
Photo by Acton Crawford on Unsplash
Cherry Creek State Park: Visit this beautiful natural prairie park to experience Colorado’s natural beauty. The park houses an 880 surface-acre reservoir for water activities and fishing. Find unique activities like flying model airplanes, horseback riding, and shooting at the family range.
Aurora History Museum: This local museum displays collections and exhibits of local artifacts showcasing the history of Aurora. The museum welcomes field trips and features interactive performances and new weekly programs. Admission is FREE.
Wings Over the Rockies Museum: Located in Hangar 1 of the former Lowry Air Base in eastern Denver, the museum features over 100,000 square feet of exhibits displaying classic aircraft, space vehicles, artifacts, military uniforms, and more. The museum features incredible exhibits such as Planet Pioneers, the Bell UH-1 “Huey,” the Boeing B-52, and the Dream Chaser.
Plains Conservation Center: Hike the trails and wander through a homestead village replica complete with tipis. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle, prairie dogs, and coyotes.
Denver Zoo: Don’t miss this 84-acre zoological garden in Denver featuring animals like the elephant, buffalo, penguins, komodo dragon, and more.
Denver Downtown Aquarium: The aquarium is a great indoor activity for the whole family featuring over 500 species of animals and exciting exhibits like the interactive stingray reef touch tank, a restaurant, The Dive Lounge, the Nautilus Ballroom, and more.
Denver Sports Teams, such as the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Rockies are exciting events for sports fans.
Tip: check with the ITT office for discounted tickets.
More Area Info
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Base Address:
18401 E. A-Basin Street, Bldg 606
Buckley AFB
,
80011