Media are invited to attend the annual Peterson AFB State of the Wing address at 3 p.m. Sept. 25.

Col. Thomas Falzarano, 21st Space Wing and installation commander, will outline plans during his first year as commander.

The goal is to educate local leaders about the wing’s mission and current affairs, and create personal relationships between the military and community.

The 21st Space Wing is the Air Force’s only organization providing missile warning, missile defense, space situational awareness and space control operations to unified commanders and combat forces worldwide.

The base plays a large role in the Colorado Springs economy, employing about 14,000 personnel, including active duty, Reserve, Guard, Army, Navy, Marines, Canadian forces and civilians, with an annual economic impact of about $1.33 billion.

Falzarano and senior wing leadership will have approximately 90 minutes to interact with local and regional elected officials and civic leaders. Base tours will also be available after the State of the Wing address.

The 21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB is having its Prisoners of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Peterson Chapel. The annual event remembers those missing in action and held prisoner of war.

The guest speakers are Col. Sam Johnson, 21st Space Wing vice commander, and Mark L. Stephensen II, National League of POW/MIA Families vice chairman. Stephensen’s father, U.S. Air Force Col. Mark L. Stephensen, was MIA for 21 years after being shot down in Vietnam in 1967, before his remains were returned to his family in 1988.

Other events during the week include a flag raising ceremony, a retreat ceremony and a 24-hour run. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday each September.