Los Angeles Air Force Base – Birthplace Ballistic Missiles

There are several military installations on the West Coast. The Los Angeles Air Force Base stands out for its unique responsibilities. The LAAFB houses the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMSC) and Air Force Space Command. They have many missions. Most of all, they assist with the management of Air Force space and missile systems.

The Los Angeles Air Force Base sits off Aviation Boulevard and El Segundo Boulevard in El Segundo. An auxiliary property is farther south at Fort MacArthur. El Segundo is 14 minutes south of the Los Angeles International Airport and Playa del Rey.

These divisions also partner with other United States military services: Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico; Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado; Vandenberg Air Force Base; and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida among them. They also work with US government and NATO operations.

61st Air Base Group

Skilled units of the 61st Air Base Group consist of five squadrons and six staff agencies. They contribute to the SMSC and Department of Defense. Responsibilities include medical, civil engineering, communications, chaplain, security, logistics, personnel, readiness, and quality of life.

Space and Missile Systems Center

This is the center of military space acquisition. The Center’s mission is creating resilient and affordable US space capabilities. Tasks include:

Global Positioning Systems Directorate
Space Superiority Systems Directorate
Launch Enterprise Directorate
Infrared Space Systems Directorate
Defense Weather Systems Directorate
MILSATCOM Systems Directorate
Advanced Systems and Development Directorate
Space Logistics Directorate
Operationally Responsive Space Office
Range and Network Division

History of Los Angeles Air Force Base

The initiative started in the mid-1950s. On July 1, 1954, the Air Research and Development Command activated a Western Development Division in Inglewood, California.

Several years later, the Air Force consolidated its Space Systems Division with the R&D Center of Aerospace Corporation. To house Aerospace Corporation, the Navy transferred real estate at Aviation and El Segundo boulevards to the Air Force. The Air Force also acquired adjoining property.