Peterson Air Force Base - 821st Air Base

Units > 821st Air Base

Thule Air Base is the U.S. Armed Forces' northernmost installation, located 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Thule's arctic environment offers some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere in the world, including majestic icebergs in the North Star Bay, the massive polar ice cap and Wolstenholme Fjord--the only place on earth where three active glaciers join together.

Thule Air Base is home to the 21st Space Wing's global network of sensors providing missile warning, space surveillance and space control to North American Aerospace Defense Command and Air Force Space Command. Thule Air Base is also home to the 821st Air Base Group and is responsible for air base support within the Thule Defense Area for the multinational population of "Team Thule." The base hosts the 12th Space Warning Squadron who operates a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System designed to detect and track ICBMs launched against North America. Thule is also host to Detachment 3 of the 22nd Space Operations Squadron, part of the 50th Space Wing's global satellite control network. In addition, our modern airfield boasts a 10,000-foot runway and more than 3,000 U.S. and international flights per year. Finally, Thule is home to the northernmost deep water port in the world.

821st ABG biographies

Col. Christopher Gentry, 821st ABG commander
Lt. Col. Rob Quigg, 821st ABG deputy commander
Chief Master Sgt. Troy Engholm, 821st ABG superintendent

Thule units

821st Air Base Group
821st Support Squadron
821st Security Forces Squadron
12th Space Warning Squadron
Det. 3, 22nd Space Operations Squadron

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Mission/Vision

Our Mission: "Conduct precise and disciplined missile warning, missile defense and space control operations; professionally operate, support and protect our installations while teaming with mission partners; and develop, deploy and care for our Warrior Airmen who defend America and our Allies"

Our Vision: "America's Space Superiority Wing-Globally Postured to Win"

821st ABG mission

The mission of the 821st Air Base Group is to effect space superiority through Air Force Core Values-based installation operations and protection. The group operates and maintains Thule Air Base in support of missile warning and space surveillance and satellite command and control operations missions. The group provides security, communications, civil engineering, personnel, services, logistics and medical support to remote active duty units in a combined U.S., Canadian, Danish and Greenlandic environment of approximately 600 military, civilian and contractor personnel.