6th Space Warning Squadron

Last updated
6th Space Warning Squadron
6th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png
Emblem of the 6th Space Warning Squadron
Active1979–present
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Space Force.svg  United States Space Force
RoleMissile warning and space surveillance
Part of Space Delta 4
Garrison/HQ Cape Cod Space Force Station
Motto(s)Ever Aware
Decorations Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg AFOUA
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt Col Stewart C. Smith
Notable
commanders
Nina Armagno
Insignia
Previous Air Force insignia 6th Space Warning Squadron.jpg

The 6th Space Warning Squadron is located at Cape Cod Space Force Station, in Sagamore, Massachusetts, United States. It operates the PAVE PAWS radar to watch for missiles launched toward North America. The squadron is assigned to Space Delta 4. The squadron was first organized in October 1979 as the 6th Missile Warning Squadron

Contents

Mission

The mission of the 6th SWS is to observe United States coasts for incoming sea–launched or intercontinental ballistic missiles using the PAVE PAWS radar system. Also, the 6th is to determine the potential threat of the numbers and destination of incoming missiles; then report continuous information to the North American Aerospace Defense Command, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and NORTHCOM. [1]

History

The 6th Space Warning Squadron was founded at Cape Cod Missile Early Warning Station in August 1977. It was the first squadron in the country to be equipped with PAVE PAWS. [2]

PAVE PAWS also generates information on the location and velocity of earth-orbiting satellites to NORAD.

The squadron also had a detachment at North Truro Air Force Station from 1977 to 1985, when the station closed and operations at the accompanying radar dome were taken over by the Federal Aviation Administration. The 2165th Communications Squadron was a separate tenant at CCAFS until 1986 when it was merged with the 6th SWS.

Lineage

Activated on 1 October 1979
Redesignated 6th Space Warning Squadron on 15 May 1992

Assignments

Stations

Awards and decorations

List of commanders

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References

  1. Global Security: 6th SWS Mission
  2. Global Security: PAVE-PAWS
  3. AFSPC Special Order GA-62, 6 December 1999
  4. AFSPC Special Order GA-58, 6 December 1999
  5. AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997
  6. NORAD Public Affairs Post Tuesday, May 3, 2005
  7. AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996)
  8. 1 2 "6th Space Warning Squadron" (PDF). USAF Unit History. 8 December 2010.
  9. "Lt. Gen. Nina M. Armagno".
  10. 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 1 Aug 2006)
  11. "Max E. Lantz II". LinkedIn .
  12. "6th SWS change of command".
  13. 1 2 "6th SWS gains new commander". 28 June 2018.
  14. "Lt. Col. Timothy Sheehan takes command of the 6th Space Warning Squadron".
  15. https://www.facebook.com/USSFSpaceDelta4/posts/pfbid0m4GZxRff2YeVTcZ3GrSSHFDkqQFNmqMyUdZhmQwTY9wp96hPTgdECDkpkFYWMQLDl [ user-generated source ]