850th Space Communications Squadron

850th Space Communications Squadron
	850th Space Communications Squadron inactivation ceremony
Active	1997–2006
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Communications
Part of	Air Force Space Command
Motto(s)	Maintaining the High Frontier [1]
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
850th Space Communications Squadron emblem [1]

Last updated March 05, 2019

The 850th Space Communications Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was a component of the 50th Network Operations Group, 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The squadron was activated 1 December 1997 as the 850th Communications Squadron and redesignated the 850th Space Communications Squadron on 1 October 2002. It was inactivated on 31 January 2006,^[2] most of its functions and personnel having been incorporated into the 50th Space Communications Squadron.

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial and space warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the five branches of the United States Armed Forces, and one of the seven American uniformed services. Initially formed as a part of the United States Army on 1 August 1907, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the U.S. Armed Forces on 18 September 1947 with the passing of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the youngest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the fourth in order of precedence. The USAF is the largest and most technologically advanced air force in the world. The Air Force articulates its core missions as air and space superiority, global integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.

The 50th Network Operations Group is a United States Air Force unit of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. 50th NOG is the single focal point for operating and maintaining the $8.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network and all 50 SW communications and computer systems (C-CS). Specific mission responsibilities are accomplished through the group's four squadrons, six detachments, and the Program Management Office.

The 50th Space Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force under the major command of Air Force Space Command. It was activated on 30 January 1992, replacing the 2nd Space Wing, which was inactivated on the same date.

Mission

The mission of the 850th Space Communications Squadron was to plan, integrate, and maintain command and control, and common user communications and computer systems for satellite navigation, communications, missile warning and space surveillance worldwide.

The squadron was responsible for logistics management, systems maintenance, and integrity of satellite command, control, communications, and computer systems for the Air Force Space Command mission including the $6.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network, supporting over 140 Department of Defense satellites. The squadron also provided anomaly resolution, systems integration and configuration control supporting AFSPC, USSTRATCOM, the Secretary of Defense, and the President.

Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is a major command of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of space operations. Operationally, AFSPC is an Air Force major command subordinate to U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), a unified combatant command. As of 2019 it is the primary space force for the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) 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 AFSCN 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 AFSCN provides tracking data to help maintain the catalog of space objects and distributes various data such as satellite ephemeris, almanacs, and other information.

The Department of Defense is an executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government concerned directly with national security and the United States Armed Forces. The department is the largest employer in the world, with nearly 1.3 million active duty servicemen and women as of 2016. Adding to its employees are over 826,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists from the four services, and over 732,000 civilians bringing the total to over 2.8 million employees. Headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., the DoD's stated mission is to provide "the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security".

Personnel

Shortly before its inactivation in early 2006, there were approximately 59 military and 22 DoD civilian personnel in the squadron who, along with contractors, provided global sustainment and maintenance to the high frontier in support of the 50th Space Wing's mission.

Lineage

Constituted as the 850th Communications Squadron

Activated on 1 December 1997

Redesignated 850th Space Communications Squadron on 1 October 2002

Inactivated on 31 January 2006

Assignments

50th Communications Group, 1 December 1997
50th Maintenance Group 1 October 2002
50th Communications Group (later 50th Network Operations Group), 1 June 2003 – 31 January 2006

Stations

Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 1 December 1997 – 31 January 2006

Schriever Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located approximately 10 miles east of Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.

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References

Notes

1 2 "850th Space Communications Squadron". The Institute of Heraldry.
↑ Branum, SSG Don (2 February 2006). "850th SCS inactivates at ceremony". Satellite Flyer. p. 3. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2016.

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[850SCStioh-1] 1 2 "850th Space Communications Squadron". The Institute of Heraldry.

[2] Branum, SSG Don (2 February 2006). "850th SCS inactivates at ceremony". Satellite Flyer. p. 3. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2016.