What's really hiding under Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado?

9NEWS2 minutes read

Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs is home to a secure command center built to withstand nuclear events, monitoring threats like missile launches and space objects. Despite its underground location, the facility resembles normal buildings, providing essential services and serving as a vital defense hub for national security.

Insights

  • Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs is a heavily fortified underground complex designed to withstand nuclear events, housing control rooms monitoring threats like missile launches and objects in space. NORAD, although now operating from Peterson Air Base, maintains a command center at Cheyenne Mountain for emergencies, showcasing the facility's critical role in national defense.
  • The facility, with stringent security measures and essential amenities like a cafeteria and exercise room, houses 3 to 400 workers. Equipped with backup power generators and water reservoirs, the complex ensures stability despite its underground location. Cheyenne Mountain's unassuming exterior belies its vital function as a defense hub, constantly monitoring global activities to protect the nation.

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Recent questions

  • Where is Cheyenne Mountain located?

    Colorado Springs

  • What is housed inside Cheyenne Mountain?

    Command and control center

  • How is access to Cheyenne Mountain controlled?

    Through a two-mile tunnel

  • What is the purpose of Cheyenne Mountain?

    Monitoring global activities

  • How many workers are employed at Cheyenne Mountain?

    3 to 400

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Summary

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Cheyenne Mountain: Secret Underground Defense Command Center

  • Cheyenne Mountain, located in Colorado Springs, houses a massive command and control center one mile inside the granite, 2,000 feet down. The facility consists of freestanding buildings connected by hallways and ramps, with a service area and underground reservoirs. Access is through a two-mile tunnel leading to two famous blast doors weighing 25 tons each.
  • The facility, built to withstand nuclear events, houses control rooms monitoring threats like missile launches and objects in space. NORAD, originally based there, now operates from Peterson Air Base but retains a command center at Cheyenne Mountain for emergencies. Security is stringent, with limited access to control rooms and facilities for the 3 to 400 workers, including a cafeteria, exercise room, and a shop providing essentials.
  • The complex is equipped with backup power generators, reservoirs for water supply, and extensive infrastructure to ensure stability. Despite the underground location, the facility resembles normal buildings, making it easy to forget being underground. Cheyenne Mountain serves as a crucial defense hub, monitoring global activities to safeguard the nation.
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