US 1st Space Brigade gets a new home on Fort Carson.

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's 1st Space Brigade is getting a new home on Fort Carson, Colorado, early next year thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Zane Ecklund, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, reports.

On right, Col. Rick Zellmann, commander, 1st Space Brigade, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, participates in the Multi-Domain Battle Panel during the 20th Space & Missile Defense Symposium at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 8 (Photo Credit: Ms. Dottie K. White (USASMDCARSTRAT))

Building 1459 was vacated when an armor brigade combat team was deactivated which created an opportunity for the unit to move. USACE-Omaha District Project Manager for the renovation of building 1459, Maj. Justin McMillan, explained why it made sense for 1st Space Brigade’s return to post. “First Space Brigade are currently in downtown Colorado Springs in leased space costing the Army a lot of money. The building was vacated a couple years ago, and we saw a great opportunity to bring units in leased spaces on to Army owned property,” McMillan said.

Renovations began in October of 2017 and is expected to cost approximately $3 million. The project is moving towards its expected completion date of November of this year although it has not been without complications. “The biggest challenge on this project was making sure the communications aspect met the needs of the customer,” said Matt Hutchings, a project engineer working on building 1459.

1st Space Brigade’s mission is very technical and the building required a variety of upgrades to meet their needs. Compared to other commands, they required a much more robust infrastructure for communications, security and computer networks. Initially, negotiations were ongoing between space brigade representatives and contractors about the commands specific needs but once discrepancies were identified construction began in earnest.

U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command was activated in 1997. It is headquartered in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.