4th Test and Evaluation Squadron

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4th Test and Evaluation Squadron
4th Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem.png
Squadron emblem
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Space Force.svg  United States Space Force
Type Squadron
Role Test and Evaluation
Part of Space Delta 12
Headquarters Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, U.S.
Commanders
CommanderLt Col Jonathan Lang

The 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron (4 TES) is a United States Space Force unit. Assigned to Space Training and Readiness Command's Space Delta 12, it is responsible for testing and evaluating the Space Force's electromagnetic spectrum capabilities. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. [1]

Contents

History

Limited information is available on the early history of the 4th Test & Evaluation Squadron, as its earliest existence was as the designation for a classified unit working on the LGM-118 Peacekeeper. The unit was reactivated in February 1984 as Detachment 4 of the US Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) to support space-related test teams and to serve as AFOTEC's liaison with US and Air Force Space Commands as well as the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). [2]

By the 21st century, AFOTEC Detachment 4's scope had expanded to the evaluation of new space, cyberspace, missile and missile defense capabilities with a focus on testing weapons systems in operationally realistic environments. In 2019, Det 4 had been assigned to operationally test and provide feedback for over 30 separate weapons systems. [3]

In March 2020, the U.S. Space Force announced plans to transfer 23 U.S. Air Force organizations to the Space Force, providing the new force with personnel with relevant expertise and experience. The Space Force identified AFOTEC Detachment 4 as one among those organizations identified for transfer. [4] As a result, the USSF 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron was constituted on 19 August 2021 and activated on 23 August 2021. [5]

As a USSF squadron, 4TES has continued in its mission to test and evaluate new space, missile, and missile defense capabilities in operationally realistic environments to inform warfighters and influence national resource decisions. [5]

While the current activities of the squadron remain generally unavailable, the USSF has provided some insight of the squadron's portfolio through awards citations and other special recognitions. In 2023, the squadron was selected as the Space Force's "Cyber Operations Team of the Year", with the citation stating, "the team led a series of red and blue team test events, successfully identifying potential vulnerabilities within a portfolio of programs valued at $161 billion." [6] 4TES was cited as STARCOM's "Organization of the Year" in 2023, and again in 2024 [7] [8]

In 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively, 4TES personnel became the first Space Force Guardians to graduate from United States Army Air Assault School, Sapper Leader Course, and Ranger School. [9] [10] In 2024, 4TES personnel were among the first Guardians to graduate from U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in the first "Integrated Flight-Space Test Course" [11]

List of commanders

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Space Delta 12 recognition ceremony". Schriever Space Force Base. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "An Introduction To Operational Testing And AFOTEC Mission, History, And Policy" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil.
  3. ↑ Hunt, Cameron S. (26 February 2019). "Maintaining Mission Readiness through Operational Testing". www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil.
  4. ↑ "AFOTEC Year in Review 2020" (PDF). apps.dtic.mil.
  5. 1 2 "Space Training And Readiness Command 4th Test And Evaluation Squadron" (PDF). www.starcom.spaceforce.mil.
  6. ↑ "4th TES Cyber Team recognized as Space Force's best for 2023". www.starcom.spaceforce.mil. 21 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "STARCOM celebrates excellence with 2nd annual awards banquet". Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Archived from the original on 7 June 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  8. ↑ Command, Space Training and Readiness (6 September 2024), 3rd Anniversary Dinner1111112-77 , retrieved 27 July 2025
  9. ↑ Lehrfeld, Jonathan (17 October 2023). "Space Ranger — guardian becomes service's first to earn Ranger tab". Air Force Times. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  10. ↑ Lehrfeld, Jonathan (2 April 2024). "First Space Force Ranger hopes guardians follow in his footsteps". Air Force Times. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  11. ↑ "USAF Test Pilot School Graduates First Integrated Flight-Space Test Course". Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
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