23rd Space Operations Squadron

Last updated
23rd Space Operations Squadron
23rd Space Operations Squadron emblem.png
Squadron emblem
ActiveNovember 1, 1991 (1991-November-01) – present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Space Force.svg  United States Space Force
TypeSpace operations
RoleSatellite command and control
Part of Space Delta 6
Home base New Boston Space Force Station
Motto(s)"Semper vigilans"
(Latin for "Always watchful")
Equipment Satellite Control Network
Commanders
CommanderLt Col Devin Zufelt
Insignia
23rd Space Operations Squadron (in use until transfer to the Space Force) 23d Space Operations Squadron.png

The 23rd Space Operations Squadron (23 SOPS) is a satellite control unit of the United States Space Force. It is part of Space Delta 6 and is located at New Boston Space Force Station, New Hampshire. Prior to July 2020, part of the 50th Network Operations Group, itself a part of the 50th Space Wing.

Contents

History

23rd Airways Detachment (1942–1943)

The 23rd Space Operations Squadron was originally activated on 25 July 1942 as the 23rd Airways Detachment. The squadron served in India and China during World War II, earning campaign streamers for India-Burma (1942–1945) and the China Defensive (1942–1945) before disbanding on 1 December 1943. [1]

Air Force Space Command (1991–2019)

On 1 November 1991, the Air Force reconstituted the 23rd Airways Detachment and designated it the 23rd Space Operations Squadron (23rd SOPS). Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) activated the unit at New Boston Air Force Station in New Hampshire. [1]

The squadron assumed responsibility for the operation of the New Hampshire Tracking Station, replacing a detachment of the 2nd Satellite Tracking Group. Satellite support operations there had begun on 1 April 1960, using van-mounted equipment. Simultaneous with van operations, the installation of equipment in permanent facilities began under the Weapons Systems 117L program. Van operations were gradually phased out, and by June 1964 the entire station was operating in permanent facilities. By the summer of 1964, the station had dual satellite tracking, telemetry and commanding capabilities. On 1 October 1987 the operations were transferred to AFSPC, and the station moved from a research and development environment into the operational Air Force. [1]

On 10 March 2004, the squadron was realigned under the 50th Network Operations Group, part of the 50th Space Wing. It began supporting three other SCN sites in October 2010, including Detachment 1 located at Thule Air Base in Greenland, and RAF Oakhanger in the United Kingdom. The third site, the Eastern Vehicle Checkout Facility (EVCF), is located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida (callsign BEACH) and ensures SCN capabilities and operation of satellites prior to and during initial launch. The squadron began supporting two Global Positioning System (GPS) ground antennas and monitor stations on 1 August 2011. One is located at Cape Canaveral and the other is located at Ascension Auxiliary Air Field on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. [1]

The squadron completed installation of an Automated Remote Tracking Station capability at the Eastern Vehicle Checkout Facility based at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 29 August 2013. The EVCF is responsible for launch-based compatibility testing and launch data collection, primarily on the Eastern Launch Range. [2]

US Space Force (2019–present)

The squadron was realigned to Space Delta 6 of the United States Space Force on 24 July 2020. [1]

Mission

The 23rd Space Operations Squadron (23rd SOPS) provides US Space Command with critical satellite command and control capability to more than 190 Department of Defense, national and civilian satellites performing intelligence, weather, navigation, early-warning and communications operations. [1]

Locations

The squadron provides assured access to space and cyberspace by operating and maintaining the Satellite Control Network's largest remote tracking station at New Boston Space Force Station in New Hampshire, as well as at three other Geographically Separate Units located at Thule Air Base in Greenland, Oakhanger in the United Kingdom, and the Eastern Vehicle Checkout Facility (EVCF) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. [1]

Operations

An aerial view of New Boston Space Force Station, home of the 23rd Space Operations Squadron New boston air force station.jpg
An aerial view of New Boston Space Force Station, home of the 23rd Space Operations Squadron

The squadron provides real-time capability to users performing on-orbit tracking, telemetry, commanding, and mission data retrieval services. Additionally, the squadron provides remote command and control capability through two Global Positioning System (GPS) control stations located at Cape Canaveral and Ascension Auxiliary Air Field in the South Atlantic Ocean.

The squadron also operates and maintains a ground station of the Defense Satellite Communications System and additional equipment in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other mission partners. [1]

The 23rd SOPS operates and maintains New Boston SFS, an installation of 2,826 acres (1,144 ha) which includes infrastructure worth more than $106 million. The squadron performs all station operations for the installation including security, civil engineering, communications, services, natural resources and safety.

List of commanders

Related Research Articles

The Satellite Control Network (SCN), operated by the United States Space Force's Space Delta 6, provides support for the operation, control, and maintenance of a variety of United States Department of Defense and some non-DoD satellites. This involves continual execution of Telemetry, Tracking, and Commanding (TT&C) operations. In addition, the SCN provides prelaunch checkout and simulation, launch support, and early orbit support while satellites are in initial or transfer orbits and require maneuvering to their final orbit. The SCN provides tracking data to help maintain the catalog of space objects and distributes various data such as satellite ephemeris, almanacs, and other information. It was previously known as the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) while under Air Force Space Command's 50th Network Operations Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Boston Space Force Station</span> United States Space Force facility in Hillsborough County, south central New Hampshire

New Boston Space Force Station (BOSS) is a United States Space Force facility located in Hillsborough County in south central New Hampshire. It was transferred from the United States Air Force to the Space Force in the summer of 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50th Space Wing</span> Inactive United States Air Force wing

The 50th Wing is an inactive United States Air Force wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22nd Space Operations Squadron</span> United States Space Force unit

The 22d Space Operations Squadron is a satellite control unit of the United States Space Force. It is part of Space Delta 6 and is located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. Prior to July 2020 it was part of the 50th Network Operations Group, itself a part of the 50th Space Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Space Operations Squadron</span> Space Force unit managing GPS constellation

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 Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Integrated Mission Delta (Provisional) and headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Space Operations Squadron</span> Military unit

The 21st Space Operations Squadron is a satellite control unit of the Space Delta 6 of the United States Space Force, located at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Prior to July 2020, it was part of the 50th Network Operations Group. It operated Onizuka Air Force Station from its formation in 1991 until the closure of the station in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">20th Space Surveillance Squadron</span> U.S. Space Force unit

The 20th Space Surveillance Squadron is a Space Delta 2 unit located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida with the mission to execute multiplatform, tactical space warfighting domain characterization, recognition, and responsiveness to achieve 21st Space Wing and United States Space Command intent. The unit, formerly designated the 20th Space Control Squadron, was renamed on 25 March 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Space Operations Squadron</span> US Space Force squadron

The 3rd Space Operations Squadron is a United States Space Force unit responsible for conducting on-orbit operations. It is located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4th Space Operations Squadron</span> US Space Force satellite squadron

The United States Space Force's 4th Space Operations Squadron is a satellite operations unit located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. 4 SOPS is part of Space Delta 8 and responsible for command and control of the Milstar/Advanced Extremely High Frequency, Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III, and Wideband Global SATCOM satellite constellations. The 4th Space Operations Squadron's mission is to operate the Space Force's protected and wideband MILSATCOM systems. They provide warfighters global, secure, survivable, strategic and tactical communication during peacetime and throughout the full spectrum of conflict. The squadron also operates three mobile constellation control stations at various locations in conjunction with host partners. At higher readiness levels and during exercises, these personnel deploy with U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Northern Command respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">750th Space Group</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 750th Space Group was a space operations unit located at Onizuka Air Force Station, California. its predecessor was formed on 1 October 1987; it assumed the designation of the 750th Space Group on 30 January 1992; and it was inactivated on 25 June 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">69th Cyberspace Squadron</span> United States Space Force unit

The 69th Cyberspace Squadron is a squadron of the United States Space Force located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. It is responsible for conducting defensive cyberspace operations enabling operations in support of Space Delta 9's orbital warfare mission at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, and Space Delta 6's Satellite Control Network at various locations around the world. The 50th Communications Squadron was redesignated as the 69 Cyberspace Squadron on 15 Oct 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">114th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 114th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (EWS) 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Space Operations Squadron</span> U.S. Space Force unit

The 1st Space Operations Squadron is a United States Space Force unit responsible for space-based space domain awareness. Located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, the squadron operates the Space Based Space Surveillance system, the Advanced Technology Risk Reduction system, the Operationally Responsive Space-5 satellite, and the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Test and Evaluation Squadron</span> Military unit

The 3rd Test and Evaluation Squadron is a space test and evaluation unit located at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Space Warning Squadron</span> Military unit

The 11th Space Warning Squadron is a United States Space Force missile warning squadron, located at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2d Command and Control Squadron</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 2d Command and Control Squadron was an Air Force Space Command command and control unit located at Falcon AFB, Colorado. The 2 CACS commanded passive surveillance systems supporting USSPACECOM and theater warfighters’ requirements through continuous all-weather, day-night surveillance of on-orbit satellites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron</span> Military unit

The United States Space Force's 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron is a space electromagnetic warfare unit located at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Delta 6</span> U.S. Space Force cyberspace operations unit

Space Delta 6 is a United States Space Force unit which assures access to space through the $6.8 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10th Space Operations Squadron</span> U.S. Space Force unit

The 10th Space Operations Squadron is the United States Space Force unit responsible for operating the Mobile User Objective System and Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On satellite constellations, providing global communications to the United States Armed Forces.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from Fact sheet – 23rd Space Operations Squadron. United States Air Force . Retrieved 9 August 2020.

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Fact sheet – 23rd Space Operations Squadron". Schriever Air Force Base. US Space Force. July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  2. ↑ Reyes, Staff Sgt. Julius Delos. "23 SOPS installs ARTS at BEACH". Schriever Air Force Base. US Air Force. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  3. ↑ "23 SOPS welcomes new commander".
  4. ↑ "23 SOPS commentary".
  5. ↑ "Moving forward".
  6. ↑ "Leadership Perspectives: 23rd SOPS commander".
  7. ↑ "23rd Space Operations Squadron changes command".
  8. ↑ "23rd SOPS gains new commander". Schriever Air Force Base. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  9. ↑ "New Boston gets new name, new commander".
  10. ↑ "23rd SOPS change of command". Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.