PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Broadmoor Hangar, known as Building 982, stood for 95 years as a cornerstone of aviation history in Colorado Springs. From the early days of civilian aviation to supporting the U.S. Army Air Forces’ first warfighting missions, it bore witness to pivotal moments in military history. Recently, it embarked on a new mission with the U.S. Space Force.
On Feb. 7, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a $3.55 million renovation transforming the historic hangar into a state-of-the-art facility. The remodel included modern infrastructure, several Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility workstations, and a 28-seat classroom, ensuring the hangar could support Space Delta 7’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.
“The Broadmoor hangar's history spans almost 95 years, from its construction in 1930 to its use during World War II and beyond,” said Miss Gail Whalen, Peterson Air and Space Museum director. “For a very short period, the Broadmoor hangar was used for classroom space for photo interpretation and film development, a nice connection to what you [Space Delta 7] will do here.”
The project was more than a renovation. By preserving the hangar’s historic structure, the Space Force connected its mission to its heritage while meeting the demands of modern space operations.
“The Broadmoor hangar has a long and storied history, first with the Army Air Forces, then with the Air Force, and then, ironically enough, a film development and photo interpretation techniques classroom,” said U.S. Space Force Col. Phoenix Hauser, Space Delta 7 commander. “This was probably the earliest indication that eventually the building would be home to an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance organization.”
As space weapon systems rely on robust ground-based facilities, projects like this prove vital for mission readiness and future growth.
“The building is critical to the Delta 7 mission of producing operational intelligence insights so the Space Force can seize and then dominate the ultimate high ground,” said Hauser. “As Guardians, we fight from our garrison, and this hangar will provide a world-class facility to generate and present combat ready forces that can fight and win in a future operational environment.”
The Broadmoor Hangar now stands as both a symbol of the past and a foundation for the future, poised to play a critical role in the evolving landscape of space operations.
“It is impossible to subdivide our people and installations from our combat mission,” said Hauser. “Today's ribbon cutting is the first in many steps in a multi-year, multi-squadron campaign to provide the dedicated and dangerous intelligence Guardians of Space Delta 7 with a home that's fitting for the most technologically sophisticated fighting force that this world has ever seen.”