Security weaknesses continue to dog the nation’s air and space defense command, according to a classified security evaluation.

A Pentagon analysis, reported last month by The Washington Times, recommends “difficult and costly retrofits and new construction to correct numerous physical vulnerabilities” to Peterson Air Force Base’s Building 2, which houses the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

The evaluation also noted that Building 2 is “not designed to house” NORAD, The Times reported, and that even if recommended steps are taken, they don’t eliminate risks from nearby Colorado Springs Airport and car bombs. Building 2 sits yards from the base’s border.

Air Force and NORAD officials refused to discuss the evaluation and said they’ve pumped $16 million into security measures at the base east of Colorado Springs.

“We are doing what we need to do to more than adequately protect our Protection Level 1 assets,” said Col. Emily Buckman, 21st Space Wing mission support group commander.

Protection Level 1, assigned to NORAD at Peterson in May, is the military’s highest security ranking, signifying that its loss would greatly harm the nation’s strategic capability.

The security evaluation is the latest red flag stemming from NORAD’s controversial move in May from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. The Cold War granite bunker, in use since the 1960s, is no longer fully staffed round-the-clock but could be ready for use within hours, NORAD officials have said.

Former NORAD commander Adm. Timothy Keating ordered the move after finding a 2005 exercise signaled “unity … and command” problems between NORAD, the mountain-based joint command with Canada, and Peterson-based U.S. Northern Command, created after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Keating said the move would save up to $200 million a year, but government investigators said any savings would depend on the cost of security measures. A year ago, the Government Accountability Office warned that Building 2 couldn’t survive even a low-level threat.

NORAD and NorthCom officials declined to discuss the evaluation but said in a statement “much has been done” to upgrade security.

An official with the Air Force’s 21st Space Wing said $11.4 million was spent on a new biometric ID system for visitors, improved fencing, “standoff measures” such as concrete posts and an overhauled west gate, all finished between late 2007 and early 2009.Buckman said no further construction is planned.

The command spent $4.56 million on access procedures, vehicle barriers and security-guard training and equipment, details of which were withheld due to security concerns.

The changes were completed in May.

Two other steps under way, estimated to cost $3.57 million, involve electrical access in the building and bolstering protection against electromagnetic pulses, which can cripple computers.

Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, said in a statement that NORAD commander Gen. Gene Renuart has assured him protection measures are in place.

U.S. Sen. Mark Udall said he’s still concerned about the move and is eager to see results of Sandia National Labs’ analysis in October. He also said he wants redundant operations maintained in the mountain to ensure critical systems aren’t subject to an aerial attack.

–

Call the writer at 636-0238.

An adult elm leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta luteola) chews into an elm leaf. Photo by Photo courtesy of Clemson University-USDA Cooperative Extension