Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, September 13, 2026
Following the 9/11 attacks and advancements in modern communication technology, the everyday role of the Cheyenne Mountain complex as NORAD's primary command center diminished. In 2006, much of the routine surveillance and warning mission moved to Peterson Space Force Base due to the mountain's limitations in space, expansion difficulty, and expensive infrastructure maintenance. However, the complex continues to serve as a hardened backup command center.
“Ironically, the post-9/11 era eventually led to a reduction in Cheyenne Mountain's role as the everyday NORAD command center.”
“An above-ground headquarters at nearby Peterson Space Force Base offered much greater flexibility.”
“In 2006, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command Commander Admiral Timothy Keating approved moving much of the routine surveillance and warning mission to Peterson Space Force Base.”
“NORAD's ordinary command operations did move to Peterson, but the mountain continued to operate as a hardened backup command center and to house military communications.”