Buckley Space Force Base

Aurora, United States

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KBKF

ICAO

5662 ft

Elevation

AirlinesAirports profile

Military space force base serving the Denver metro area.

Opened

1942

Location

Aurora, United States

Buckley Space Force Base (IATA: BFK, ICAO: KBKF) is a United States Space Force installation located in Aurora, Colorado, approximately 10 miles east of Denver. The base is home to the 460th Space Wing and hosts a variety of Air National Guard, Army National Guard, and federal agency tenant units. The airfield at Buckley is a military facility and does not serve scheduled commercial passenger service. It supports military aircraft operations, reconnaissance missions, and National Guard aviation activities. The base has a long history tied to the Denver region's defense infrastructure. Originally established as Buckley Field during World War II, the installation has evolved through several name changes reflecting the restructuring of U.S. military branches, most recently becoming Buckley Space Force Base in 2021 following the establishment of the United States Space Force.

Getting to & from

The base is accessible via public roads in Aurora, Colorado, with Denver International Airport served by regional transit options nearby.

Notable facts

›Originally established as Buckley Field during World War II in 1942.
›Renamed Buckley Space Force Base in 2021 following creation of the U.S. Space Force.
›Home to the 460th Space Wing, which provides missile warning and space surveillance.
›Hosts Colorado Air National Guard and Army National Guard units.
›The IATA code BFK designates it for logistics and charter purposes, not commercial service.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

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City & Place Guide

Colorado's Gateway City Where the Rockies Meet the Plains

Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city, sitting just east of Denver and serving as a dynamic suburb with a surprisingly diverse cultural identity. Home to a large immigrant population from East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, Aurora offers an authentic multicultural experience rarely found in similarly sized American cities.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to explore, from expansive prairie reservoirs to nearby Rocky Mountain trailheads. The city also benefits from proximity to Denver's world-class amenities while maintaining its own arts scene, dining corridors, and distinct neighborhoods worth wandering.

•Cherry Creek State Park — popular reservoir for swimming, fishing, boating, and camping
•Aurora Reservoir — scenic spot for paddleboarding, cycling trails, and open-water swimming
•Aurora History Museum — free local history exhibits covering the city's frontier and modern growth
•Stanley Marketplace — converted aviation hangar housing local restaurants, shops, and breweries
•Morrison Nature Center — peaceful urban wildlife sanctuary with wetland trails and bird watching
•Southlands Outdoor Mall — sprawling open-air shopping and dining hub with seasonal community events

Getting around: Aurora is primarily a car-dependent city, so renting a vehicle is recommended for maximum flexibility. RTD light rail lines, including the R and H lines, connect Aurora to downtown Denver and Denver International Airport efficiently. Local bus routes cover major corridors, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the city.

Best time: Late spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October) offer mild temperatures, lower crowds, and ideal conditions for outdoor activities.

Local food: Explore Aurora's globally inspired dining on East Colfax Avenue, where you can savor authentic Ethiopian injera platters, Vietnamese pho, and Salvadoran pupusas all within a few blocks.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Encyclopaedia

Buckley Space Force Base is a United States Space Force base in Aurora, Colorado, named after United States Army Air Service First Lieutenant John Harold Buckley. The base is run by Space Base Delta 2, with major units including the U.S. Space Force's Space Delta 4, the Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing, the Denver Naval Operations Support Center, and the National Reconnaissance Office's Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado.

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