Originally posted by 140th CES
it's my understanding that the "golfballs" track objects in space should they be launched missles, satelites, or just random debris. i have heard that they send regular reports to NASA on some of the junk (bolts, wrenches, etc.) orbiting the planet that could pose a threat to shuttle missions or the ISS.

The PAVE PAWS phased array radar system (AN/FPS-115) actually does that. Back in the 80's Beal AFB was covering the Pacific and Ottis AFS covered the Atlantic side of the U.S. If there was a missle launch Buckley would detect the launch during the burn phase of the launch and determine if it is hostile. If it was hostile, NORAD would be notified where it was headed and other info. NORAD could verify the missle launch (SLBM) or ICBM re-entry into the atmosphere by the PAVE PAWS system.
During peace time the PAVE PAWS system track space debri/satellites.
During peace time Buckley monitors forest fires, missle tests space shuttle launches. When I was in the Space Operations Center (SOC- It's where the scope dopes are monitoring the screens) in 1987 they were monitoring the temperature of Mt St Helens.
They had two name to describe an object/event that I was aware of:

Fast Walker- If an object had changing acceleration (keeps on getting faster and faster, I'm not sure if it meant temperature change also) meant a possible missle.

Slow Walker- If an object had constant acceleration (keeps about the same speed) meant something like the SR-71.

I ask the Deputy Director (the second in command in the SOC) when he was showing me the screens (which was the only time I got shown the screen by someone) if they ever seen anything weird like an UFO and he said no. There was something I read somewhere on the web that they tracked a UFO. So, I don't beleive that story. It could have happen and they are keeping it a secret. But, I don't think so.

My sister was stationed there while in the AF. She worked underground at least 12 stories down. She had to sign a 'repopulation agreement' stating that she would , in the event of ELE, have as many children with as many men as possible.

AnonATS- repopulation? That's absolute BS, you really shouldnt lie in public like that.

I know, I worked in the ADF. And yes, you need a TS with an SSBI and a polygraph to get in. That's the requirements on any job posting my the contractors in Aurora. And they are online. Mainly programmers and system administrators, from the looks of Raytheon's job board. Same as me, after I got out of the military.

As for the contractors, they write the software and design the systems, and do the maintenance on them. The military just operates the gear. Its the contractors that make it all work, which is why there are so many of them. Plus contractors tend to stay put. Military rotate evey year or two, so the real experts are the contractors and civilians there.

And if people know how old some of these satellites are, they'd also know that means some old computer and electronic gear, which means its not as automated as modern stuff. Meaning more manpower needed to keep it running.

Firstly it only goes down 2 floors, with a couple areas being 3. But the second floor is pretty well underground, no need for a third.

Second, its comm satellites - if you manage a lot of communications, you need bigger dishes for higher data rates (more bandwidth), and a lot of shielded floor space for computers.

Third, there is a ton of training that goes on there for Navy and the other services, then they move out to the fleet and know how things work without screwing them up shipboard. The Army has similar objectives to the Navy at the ADF as well.

Think about it: This is probably the only large facilitie that, by happy accident, has that density and variety of comm gear, that density of classified traffic, and yet still has room for housing, and training, and is near a major metropolitan area, whcih means its easier to get logistic support, communications lines form multiple sources, power, etc.

Most com facilities tend to be out in the boonies, and tend to be small. The ADF at Buckley is a pretty odd place in that regard. Add to that the presence of the 3/19 Special Forces (Colorado Army National Guard) on the south part of the base, a controlled military runway (for the delivery of large classfied satellite dish parts if need be), and an active Interceptor wing the National Guard there flies F-16's , and they are on warm and hot standby for air defense missions in the center part of the US, and you get the idea that its very well protected.

So it makes sense that this is a big base and lots of people, and it attracts a lot of attention - and a lot of military untis to rotate people though it for the experience with so many different things all in one place.

If you want the really spooky stuff, go looking for a place where they do noat attract attention, do not have a lot of peopel visibly, and a place ehre they keep non-military miles away from the base border.

That sure ain't Buckley, where city buses come and go in and out of the base daily.

This is what sucks about government contracts.

Lets say hypothetically if someone were to work on that very base and happened to be inside those spheres (there's 7 of em, not 3), that person would know that you are completely wrong but would be bound by legal agreements not to reveal publicly the innards of the spheres or even admit that he had occasion to be there as part of their job.......

That being said, if you would like a tour where you actually enter one of the larger spheres when it's off you can call 720-847-6869 to schedule one.

Originally posted by Tiloke
This is what sucks about government contracts.

Lets say hypothetically if someone were to work on that very base and happened to be inside those spheres (there's 7 of em, not 3), that person would know that you are completely wrong but would be bound by legal agreements not to reveal publicly the innards of the spheres or even admit that he had occasion to be there as part of their job.......

That being said, if you would like a tour where you actually enter one of the larger spheres when it's off you can call 720-847-6869 to schedule one.

You are right. There is false info being provided here, yet the people in the know - who work there, cant really come and and say "you are wrong and this is why" because the work being done is classified.

People are not located in the "spheres" - golfballs - unless they are doing maintenance on them. The "work" is done inside buildings within the "compound" as can be seen from any sat image. But maybe I'm misunderstanding you (possible )