1st Space Launch Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1990-2009 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Squadron |
Role | Space launch |
Part of | Air Force Space Command |
Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award [1] |
Insignia | |
1st Space Launch Squadron emblem (approved 1 July 1992) [1] |
The United States Air Force's 1st Space Launch Squadron was a space launch unit located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. It was responsible for USAF Delta II launches from its activation in October 1990 to its inactivation in August 2009. [2]
Air Force launch operations were transferred from Air Force Systems Command to Air Force Space Command in the early 1990s. Phase I of the Launch Transfer Plan began on 1 October 1990, with the redesignation of the Eastern and Western Space and Missile Centers, as the 30th and 45th Space Wings. [3]
The 1st Space Launch Squadron was activated on 1 October 1990 and became Air Force Space Command's first Delta II launch squadron. [4] Its final launch of a Delta II was on 17 August 2009. Its final launch successfully placed the USA-206, or GPS IIR-21(M) navigation satellite into orbit. [5] The squadron was inactivated on 30 September. [6]
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
Patrick Space Force Base is a United States Space Force installation located between Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach, in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It was named in honor of Major General Mason Patrick, USAAC. It is home to Space Launch Delta 45, known as the 45th Space Wing when it was part of the Air Force. In addition to its "host wing" responsibilities at Patrick SFB, the 45 SW controls and operates Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) and the Eastern Range. It was originally opened and operated from 1940 to 1947 as Naval Air Station Banana River, a U.S. Navy airfield. It was then deactivated as a naval installation in 1947 and placed in caretaker status until it was transferred to the Air Force in late 1948.
The 2nd Space Operations Squadron is a United States Space Force unit responsible for operating the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellation, which provides global navigation, time transfer, and nuclear detonation detection. It is a component of Space Operations Command's Space Delta 8 and headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.
The 9th Space Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Force Space Command, being stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 1 October 1991.
The 310th Space Wing is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Tenth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. The wing is the only space wing in the Air Force Reserve. It provides specialized expertise, continuity and combat ready personnel. It is mission partnered with several United States Space Force deltas: Space Delta 2, Space Delta 3, Space Delta 4, and Space Launch Delta 30.
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ranges.
Space Launch Delta 30 is a United States Space Force space launch delta assigned to Space Systems Command and headquartered at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The Space Launch Delta 30 is responsible for all space launch operations from the west coast, which includes all polar launches. It manages the Western Range and launch activities for the Space Force, Department of Defense, NASA, and other private space corporations. The Space Launch Delta 30 also supports test and evaluation launches of the U.S. Air Force's intercontinental ballistic missile force.
The Space Launch Delta 45 is a unit of the United States Space Force. The Space Launch Delta 45 is assigned to Space Systems Command and headquartered at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. The wing also controls Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The 45th Space Delta is responsible for all space launch operations from the East Coast. It manages the Eastern Range, including launch activities for the Space Force, Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, and other private space corporations.
The United States Space Force's 5th Space Launch Squadron is a space launch unit located at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. The 5th SLS is tasked with launch and support of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles.
The United States Air Force's 114th Space Control Squadron (SPCS) is a Florida Air National Guard unit located at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. It is operationally gained by the United States Space Force.
The 576th Flight Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command. The 576th is stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The unit was first established in January 1943 as the 576th Bombardment Squadron. After training with Consolidated B-24 Liberators in the United States, the squadron deployed to the European Theater of Operations, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. The squadron was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions in an attack on Gotha, Germany in February 1944. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated. It was again active between September 1947 and November 1949 in the reserve, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped with tactical aircraft at this time.
The 2nd Space Launch Squadron is an active United States Space Force unit. It is located at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, and was reactivated in July 2019 with the merger of the 4th Space Launch Squadron and the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron.
The 45th Operations Group was a United States Space Force unit. It was assigned to 45th Space Wing, stationed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. In May 2021, it was inactivated upon the redesignation of the 45th Space Wing to Space Launch Delta 45.
Space Base Delta 3 is a United States Space Force unit assigned to the Space Systems Command. The unit is stationed at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. It is the successor to the 61st Air Base Group of the United States Air Force and the Los Angeles Garrison, which existed through the first two years of the Space Force. The garrison operates Los Angeles Air Force Base and supports Space Systems Command.
The 30th Operations Group was a group of the United States Space Force. It was assigned to the 30th Space Wing, stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. It was responsible for all space launch operations from the West Coast of the United States, including all polar launches. It operated the Western Range, which conducts launches for the Space Force, other parts of the Department of Defense, NASA, and private space corporations. In 2021 the 30th Operations Group and the 30th Mission Support Group were inactivated and squadrons assigned to Space Launch Delta 30.
The 446th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 321st Missile Group, stationed at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
Lieutenant Colonel Eric D. Brown is a former commander of the 320th Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.
The 45th Launch Group is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 45th Space Wing, stationed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Space Operations Command (SpOC) is the United States Space Force's space operations, cyber operations, and intelligence field command. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado and serves as the U.S. Space Force's service component to United States Space Command. Space Operations Command consists of Space Operations Command West, its mission deltas, and garrison commands.
Space Delta 1 is a United States Space Force unit responsible for space training. It runs the Space Force's basic military training, weapons school, and other advanced training courses and exercises. It was established on 23 August 2021 following the establishment of the Space Training and Readiness Command, the field command to which it reports. It is headquartered at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.