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Cheyenne Mountain Today
Since the end of the Cold War, activities at Cheyenne Mountain
have not diminished, but have in fact matched the evolving
realities of the changing world. The original North American Air
Defense Command (NORAD) Combat Operations Center (COC) has
evolved into the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center (CMOC).
Today, Cheyenne Mountain is known as Cheyenne Mountain Air Force
Station (CMAFS). CMAFS is host to four commands: North American
Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), United States Northern
Command (USNORTHCOM), United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM),
and Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). CMOC serves as the command
center for both NORAD and USNORTHCOM. It is the central
collection and coordination center for a worldwide system of
satellites, radars, and sensors that provide early warning of
any missile, air, or space threat to North America.
Supporting the NORAD mission, CMOC provides warning of ballistic
missile or air attacks against North America, assists the air
sovereignty mission for the U.S. and Canada, and if necessary,
serves as the focal point for air defense operations to counter
enemy bombers or cruise missiles. In addition, CMOC also
provides theater ballistic missile warning for U.S. and allied
forces. In support of USSTRATCOM, CMOC provides a day-to-day
picture of precisely what is in space and where it is located.
Space control operations include protection, prevention, and
negation functions supported by the surveillance of space.
CMOC is truly one of the most unique installations in the world.
Apart from the fact that it is housed 2,000 feet underground,
CMOC is also different from most military units because it’s a
joint and bi-national military organization comprised of over
200 professional men and women from the Army, Navy, Marine, Air
Force, and Canadian Forces. Operations are conducted in seven
centers manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The centers are
the Air Warning Center, Missile Warning Center, Space Control
Center, Operational Intelligence Watch, Systems Center, Weather
Center, and the Command Center.
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