Space Delta 12

Last updated

Space Delta 12
Space Delta 12 emblem.png
Delta emblem
Founded23 August 2021;2 years ago (2021-08-23)
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Space Force.svg  United States Space Force
Type Delta
RoleSpace test and evaluation
Part of Space Training and Readiness Command
Headquarters Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Nickname(s)Big Dogs [1]
Website Official website
Commanders
Commander Col Sacha N. Tomlinson
Senior Enlisted Leader CMSgt Charles J. Apodaca [2]
Insignia
Guidon Space Delta 12 guidon.svg

Space Delta 12 (DEL 12) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for space test and evaluation. It tests space systems and capabilities in support of weapon system acquisition, operational acceptance, and readiness. 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 temporarily headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, but its final location requires a base selection process. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

DEL 12 was originally activated as the USAF’s 6565th Test Wing in October 1960 at Vandenberg AFB, CA. The wing was re-designated as the 6565th Test Wing (Development) in December 1960 and was subsequently re-designated, this time as the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing, in April 1961. The wing was inactivated in October 1979. It was reactivated on 23 August 2021 and redesignated as Space Delta 12.

A ceremony was held on 27 August 2021, activating three squadrons and redesignating two squadrons that were realigned under DEL 12. [6]

Structure

DEL 12 is one of five deltas that reports to the Space Training and Readiness Command. It is composed of the following five subordinate squadrons: [6]

SquadronFunctionHeadquarters
12th Delta Operations Squadron emblem.png 12th Delta Operations Squadron Delta staff and squadron management Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
1st Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem.png 1st Test and Evaluation Squadron Space command and control capabilities testingSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
3rd Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem.png 3rd Test and Evaluation Squadron Orbital warfare capabilities testingSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
4th Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem.png 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron Electromagnetic spectrum capabilities testingPeterson Space Force Base, Colorado
17th Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem.png 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron Missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness capabilities testingSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado

History

6595th Aerospace Test Wing
6595th Aerospace Test Wing - Emblem.png
Emblem of the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing
Active1960-1979
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Air Force

In July 1958, Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) through its Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (AFBMD), the office continued the work of managing launch facility construction. It also conducted research and development flight tests of Thor and Atlas missiles; supported SAC's deployment of operational versions of these missiles; and launched unmanned space vehicles into polar orbit around the Earth.

By 1960, the launch rate at Vandenberg had increased four-fold since the first launch in December 1958. To keep pace with this growing momentum, AFBMD enlarged its field office into the 6565th Test Wing (Ballistic Missiles and Space Systems) in October 1960.

In December, the parenthetical designator was changed to "(Development)," though the unit remained the 6565th Test Wing. When ARDC was restructured and redesignated as Air Force Systems Command on April 1, 1961, that same order also reassigned the wing to Space Systems Division in Los Angeles. In November 1961, the wing was redesignated the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing.

On May 15, 1964. At Vandenberg, Headquarters Air Force Western Test Range (AFWTR) was established and was assigned to a new National Range Division, organized at Andrews AFB, Maryland.

Starting in 1970, Air Force System Command (AFSC) and the Strategic Air Command (SAC) organizations at Vandenberg underwent numerous reorganizations and realignments. The first of these major changes involving AFSC units occurred on April 1, 1970. HQ AFWTR, and the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing were realigned under a new organization at Vandenberg called the Space and Missile Test Center (SAMTEC). SAMTEC was assigned to the Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) in Los Angeles.

In the SAMTEC reorganization, Headquarters AFWTR was inactivated; the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing was restructured by transferring its support elements to the staff of the new organization, and redesignating its primary mission elements from program divisions to 6595th space and missile test groups.

On October 1, 1979, HQ SAMTEC was redesignated Headquarters Space and Missile Test Organization (SAMTO). At the same time, the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing was inactivated.

The 6595th Aerospace Test Wing was reactivated and redesignated as Space Delta 12, Space Training and Readiness Command, United States Space Force, on 23 Aug 21, with the mission of test and evaluation of USSF capabilities.

Lineage

Redesignated: 6565th Test Wing (Development), 1 December 1960
Redesignated: 6595th Aerospace Test Wing, 1 April 1961
Inactivated on 1 October 1979.
Reactivated and redesignated: Space Delta 12, 23 August 2021

Assignments

Historical components

6595thmissiletestgroup/minuteman Vandenburg CA

Stations

Major Off-Base and Detached Installations

18°54′59″N155°40′36″W / 18.91639°N 155.67667°W / 18.91639; -155.67667 (South Point AFS)
Opened in support of Project Have Lent, a sounding rocket probe program to evaluate advanced ballistic reentry system experiments. The close proximity and aspect angle of South Point to the optical site sensors located on the island of Maui The close proximity and aspect angle of South Point to the optical site sensors located on the island of Maui. In 1979, the Station was divided in two parcels located about 1.5 miles apart, containing approximately six acres each. One of the sites was the main operations area, while the other areas was used for a boresight tower.

List of commanders

No.CommanderTermRef
PortraitNameTook officeLeft officeTerm Length
1
Col Peter J. Flores (2).jpg
Flores, Peter J.Colonel
Peter J. Flores
23 August 20216 July 2022317 days [7]
2
Col E. Lincoln Bonner III.jpg
Bonner , E. Lincoln IIIColonel
E. Lincoln Bonner III
6 July 202231 May 20241 year, 330 days [8] [9]
3
Lt Col Sacha N. Tomlinson.jpg
Tomlinson, Sacha N.Colonel
Sacha N. Tomlinson
31 May 2024Incumbent7 days [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vandenberg Space Force Base</span> United States Space Force Base near Los Angeles

Vandenberg Space Force Base, previously Vandenberg Air Force Base, is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Satellite Control Facility</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's Air Force Satellite Control Facility (AFSCF) was a space command and control unit located at Onizuka AFS, California. It has the distinction of being heavily involved in the world's first reconnaissance satellite program, CORONA. Due to geological hazards, and the terrorism threat from its proximity to a major transportation link, the facility's command and control functions were moved to Schriever AFB, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Air Force Base</span> US Air Force base in El Segundo, California, United States

Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB) is a United States Space Force base located in El Segundo, California. Los Angeles Air Force Base houses and supports the headquarters of the Space Systems Command field command of the United States Space Force, which was established on August 13, 2021. The center manages research, development and acquisition of military space systems.

<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">Aerospace Defense Command</span> Former U.S. Air Force major command

Aerospace Defense Command was a major command of the United States Air Force, responsible for air defense of the continental United States. It was activated in 1968 and disbanded in 1980. Its predecessor, Air Defense Command, was established in 1946, briefly inactivated in 1950, reactivated in 1951, and then redesignated Aerospace rather than Air in 1968. Its mission was to provide air defense of the Continental United States (CONUS). It directly controlled all active measures, and was tasked to coordinate all passive means of air defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">595th Command and Control Group</span> US Air Force unit

The 595th Command and Control Group is an active unit of the United States Air Force. It is organized under Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), and its operations are centered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It was activated in a ceremony held on 6 October 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">310th Space Wing</span> U.S. Air Force reserve component

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Systems Command</span> U.S. Space Force space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Launch Delta 30</span> United States Space Force launch unit

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Launch Delta 45</span> United States Space Force Launch unit

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">12th Space Warning Squadron</span> Military unit

The 12th Space Warning Squadron is a United States Space Force ground-based radar used for missile warning, missile defense, and space situation awareness, stationed at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10th Aerospace Defense Group</span> Military unit

The 10th Aerospace Defense Group was inactivated on 31 December 1970 by the United States Air Force (USAF). Its last assignment was with Fourteenth Aerospace Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The 10th Aerospace Defense Group and Squadron were the sole operators of the United States' second nuclear-tipped anti-satellite weapon, Weapons System 437 (WS-437). For this reason the squadron continues the group history through temporary bestowal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">17th Test and Evaluation Squadron</span> Military unit

The 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron is a United States Space Force test and evaluation unit, located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. The squadron is tasked with testing and evaluating space systems and associated support equipment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">392d Combat Training Squadron</span> Former U.S. Air Force ICBM squadron

The United States Space Force's 392d Combat Training Squadron was an intercontinental ballistic missile training unit at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Its first predecessor was the 592d Bombardment Squadron, which trained aircrews on Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses during World War II. Its second predecessor was the 392d Missile Training Squadron, which conducted training, primarily for Royal Air Force launch crews, on the PGM-17 Thor missile at Vandenberg from 1958 to 1963. The two squadrons were consolidated in 1985 and activated again in 1993 to train missile crews at Vandenberg. The squadron was inactivated in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Operations Command</span> U.S. Space Force space, cyber, and intelligence field command

Space Operations Command (SpOC) is the United States Space Force's space operations, cyber operations, and intelligence field command. Headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, it consists of its mission deltas, and garrison commands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Training and Readiness Command</span> U.S. Space Force education, training, doctrine and test field command

Space Training and Readiness Command is the United States Space Force's education, training, doctrine, and test field command. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the United States Space Force</span> Structure of the U.S. Space Force

The United States Space Force is organized by different units: the Space Staff, the field commands, and the space deltas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the United States Space Force</span> History of American military development

While the United States Space Force gained its independence on 20 December 2019, the history of the United States Space Force can be traced back to the beginnings of the military space program following the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945. Early military space development was begun within the United States Army Air Forces by General Henry H. Arnold, who identified space as a crucial military arena decades before the first spaceflight. Gaining its independence from the Army on 18 September 1947, the United States Air Force began development of military space and ballistic missile programs, while also competing with the United States Army and United States Navy for the space mission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Delta 13</span> U.S. Space Force education unit

Space Delta 13 is a United States Space Force unit responsible for space education. It offers advanced and developmental space education courses for the Space Force and its joint and allied partners. 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 temporarily headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, but its final location requires a base selection process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Delta 1</span> U.S. Space Force training unit

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.

References

  1. "Space Delta 12 Activation Ceremony". Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. "CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT CHARLES J. APODACA" (PDF). Space Training and Readiness Command . Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. "DEL 12". Space Training and Readiness Command . Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. Miller, Amanda (23 August 2021). "Raymond: New STARCOM Will 'Shape the Next Century' of Space Operations". Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  5. "Space Force activates Space Training and Readiness Command". United States Space Force . 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  6. 1 2 "Space Delta 12 recognition ceremony". Schriever Space Force Base. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  7. "COLONEL PETER J. FLORES" (PDF). Space Training and Readiness Command . Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. "Space Delta 12 Change of Command". Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. "E. LINCOLN BONNER". Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  10. "Delta 12 welcomes new commander". 5 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency