They're loud, fast and a familiar sight in the skies over Aurora. The F-16s based at Buckley Space Force Base are part of the Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing and play an important role in national defense.

Many members of the Colorado Air National Guard serve part time while working full-time careers in the community. For two members of the 140th Wing, that career is with Aurora Fire Rescue.

Aurora has a decades-long military history, with Buckley Space Force Base playing a vital role in our nation's defense.

Buckley Space Force Base: A Look Back

More than 15,000 people work at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, supporting military missions that reach around the world. The installation is led by Space Base Delta 2 and is home to more than 100 partner organizations.

Helping protect Buckley Space Force Base is a team of military working dogs and their handlers.

Buckley Space Force Base has its own Fire and Emergency Services team, ready to respond to medical emergencies, fires and other calls across the installation.

As drones have become more common, responding to unauthorized flights around military installations has become a growing concern.

The F-16s can be seen and heard over Aurora, and are based at Buckley Space Force Base, but they aren't part of the Space Force. They belong to the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard.