Space Delta 4

Last updated

Space Delta 4
Emblem of Space Delta 4.png
Emblem of Space Delta 4
Founded24 July 2020;3 years ago (2020-07-24)
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Space Force.svg  United States Space Force
TypeDelta
Role Missile warning
Size1,200 personnel [1]
Part of Space Operations Command emblem.png Space Operations Command
Headquarters Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, U.S.
Motto(s) Latin: Videmus Mundum, lit. 'We see the world.' [2]
Website www.buckley.spaceforce.mil
Commanders
Commander Col Ernest R. Schmitt
Vice Commander Lt Col Andrew Downey [3]
Lt Col Michael L. Hall [4]
Senior Enlisted Leader CMSgt Kyle T. Mullen [5]
Insignia
Guidon Space Delta 4 guidon.svg

Space Delta 4 (DEL 4) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for providing strategic and theater missile warning to the United States and its international partners. It operates three constellations of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites and two types of Ground-Based Radars (GBRs) for the purpose of conducting strategic and theater missile warning. Additionally, DEL 4 provides tipping and cueing to missile defense forces, battlespace awareness to combatant commanders and technical intelligence for further analysis and manages weapon system architectures and ensures operations are intelligence-led, cyber-resilient, and driven by innovation, while postured to operate in a contested, degraded, and operationally-limited environment. [6] [7]

Contents

Activated on 24 July 2020, the delta is headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. [6] [8]

History

DEL 4 was based on the previous 460th Operations Group, 460th Space Wing and 21st Operations Group, 21st Space Wing. [9] [10]

In lineage terms, the delta was originally established as 460 Operations Group (460 SW) on 2 August 2004. [11] It was activated on 19 August 2004. It was redesignated as Space Delta 4 on 24 July 2020. Its status changed officially from a unit of the United States Air Force to a unit of the United States Space Force on 21 October 2020.

In 2023, Space Delta 4 assumed control of the U.S. Army's Joint Tactical Ground Station. [7]

Structure

EmblemNameFunctionHeadquartersSpacecraft and ground-based radarsDetachments
Squadrons
2nd Space Warning Squadron emblem.png 2nd Space Warning Squadron Missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence [12] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Defense Support Program
Space Based Infrared System
3rd Satellite Communications Squadron emblem.png 3rd Satellite Communications Squadron [13] Military communications [12] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
5th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png 5th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness [12] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Joint Tactical Ground Station Det 1: Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy [14]
Det 2: Qatar [lower-alpha 1] [16]
Det 3: Osan Air Base, South Korea [17]
Det 4: Misawa Air Base, Japan [18]
6th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png 6th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness [12] Cape Cod Space Force Station, Massachusetts AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar
7th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png 7th Space Warning Squadron Missile Defense and space domain awareness [12] Beale Air Force Base, California AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar
Long Range Discrimination Radar
10th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png 10th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness [12] Cavalier Space Force Station, North Dakota AN/FPQ-16 Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System
11th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png 11th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence [12] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Defense Support Program
Space Based Infrared System
12th Space Warning Squadron emblem (2).png 12th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness [12] Pituffik Space Base, Greenland AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar
13th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png 13th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness [12] Clear Space Force Station, Alaska AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar
AN/FPS-108 Cobra Dane (Operating Location)
Long Range Discrimination Radar
Operating Location: Eareckson Air Station, Alaska
Operating locations
Operating Location – Fylingdales Missile warning and space domain awareness [12] RAF Fylingdales, United Kingdom AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar

List of commanders

No.CommanderTermRef
PortraitNameTook officeLeft officeDuration
1
Col Richard L. Bourquin (3).jpg
Bourquin, Richard L.Colonel
Richard L. Bourquin
24 July 202015 July 2021356 days [19]
2
Col Miguel A. Cruz.jpg
Cruz, Miguel A.Colonel
Miguel A. Cruz
15 July 202121 July 20232 years, 6 days [1] [20]
3
Col Ernest R. Schmitt.jpg
Schmitt, Ernest R.Colonel
Ernest R. Schmitt
21 July 2023Incumbent180 days [21] [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckley Space Force Base</span> US Space Force base in Aurora, Colorado

Buckley Space Force Base is a United States Space Force base in Aurora, Colorado named after United States Army Air Service First Lieutenant John Harold Buckley. The base is run by Space Base Delta 2, with major units including the U.S. Space Force's Space Delta 4, the Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing, the Denver Naval Operations Support Center, and the National Reconnaissance Office's Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Space Wing</span> Inactive United States Air Force wing

The 21st Wing is an inactive wing of the United States Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">460th Space Wing</span> Inactive United States Air Force wing

The 460th Wing is an inactive wing of the United States Air Force. The 460th Space Wing was activated on 1 October 2001, replacing the 821st Space Group. It was inactivated on 24 July 2020 and replaced by the Buckley Garrison.

<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">2nd Space Warning Squadron</span> Military unit

The 2nd Space Warning Squadron is part of the Space Delta 4 at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. It operates the Space-Based Infrared System satellites conducting global monitoring for significant infrared events.

<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">8th Space Warning Squadron</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 8th Space Warning Squadron is an Air Force Reserve missile warning unit located at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. The 8th works alongside its active duty counterpart, the 2d Space Warning Squadron, on the Defense Support Program and Space-Based Infrared System programs.

<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 Delta 2</span> U.S. Space Force space domain awareness and space battle management delta

Space Delta 2 is the United States Space Force's space domain awareness and space battle management delta and is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Space Delta 2 tracks and monitors all human made objects from low Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit and further out to deep space. It also partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide weather satellite observation for the U.S. Armed Forces. It consists of the 15th Space Surveillance, 18th Space Defense Squadron, 19th Space Defense Squadron, and 20th Space Surveillance Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Delta 3</span> U.S. Space Force space electromagnetic warfare unit

Space Delta 3 is a United States Space Force unit responsible for presenting operational combat-ready space electromagnetic warfare forces in support of assigned missions. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Base Delta 2</span> Buckley installation

Space Base Delta 2 is a unit in the United States Space Force. It is assigned to Space Operations Command and headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, United States.

<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">Space Delta 7</span> U.S. Space Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unit

Space Delta 7 is a United States Space Force unit responsible for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) for the United States Space Force. The delta provides actionable and time-sensitive intelligence for space domain operations including detection, characterization and targeting of adversary space capabilities. The unit employs a variety of fixed and mobile sensors across the globe operated by intelligence professionals to enable its mission to gain and maintain information dominance in the space domain in the execution of National Defense Strategy priorities. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Delta 8</span> U.S. Space Force satellite communications and navigation warfare unit

Space Delta 8 is the United States Space Force unit responsible for military satellite communications and operates a variety of satellite constellation. It is headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.

<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 18</span> US Space Force intelligence center

Space Delta 18 is a United States Space Force unit that serves as the National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC). It is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and activated on 24 June 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">460th Operations Support Squadron</span> U.S. Space Force unit

The 460th Operations Support Squadron was a United States Space Force unit. Assigned to Space Operations Command's Space Delta 4, it provided operational training and certification of all space professional assigned to the delta. It was headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">64th Cyberspace Squadron</span> U.S. Space Force unit

The 64th Cyberspace Squadron is a United States Space Force unit responsible for conducting defensive cyberspace operations enabling operations in support of Space Delta 4's missile warning mission at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. It was formed by redesignating the 62nd Cyberspace Squadron to the 64 CYS on 6 January 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 "CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT TAMMIE D. GAUDU". www.buckley.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  2. "DEL 4 Motto". Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021 via www.facebook.com.
  3. "LT. COL. ANDREW DOWNEY > Buckley Space Force Base > Display". Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  4. "Michael L. Hall". Buckley Space Force Base.
  5. "Chief Master Sergeant Kyle T. Mullen". Buckley Space Force Base.
  6. 1 2 "Buckley Air Force Base Units". Buckley Air Force Base. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. 1 2 Harpley, Unshin (October 5, 2023). "Space Force Takes Over JTAGS Mission from the Army". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  8. "Buckley Air Force Base Biographies". Buckley Air Force Base. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  9. Space Force Organisations Take Shape Archived August 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine , July 24, 2020.
  10. "Space Delta 4 - Missile Warning". Buckley Air Force Base. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  11. "Space Delta 4 (SpOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Space Delta 4 - Missile Warning". Buckley Space Force Base. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  13. "Space Delta 4". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  14. Culbertson, Kelsey (November 9, 2023). "U.S. Space Force Detachment Activates in Italy". DVIDS. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  15. Rognstad, Aaron (April 6, 2020). "JTAGS initial entry course teaches missile detection". U.S. Army. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  16. Williams, Sarah (November 9, 2023). "5th Space Warning Squadron keeps eyes in the sky". DVIDS. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  17. Gordnier, Trevor (November 17, 2023). "5th Space Warning Squadron Detachment 3 activates". 7th Air Force. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  18. Bolfing, Brieana (October 26, 2023). "JTAGS mission transfers from Army to Space Force". 5th Air Force. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  19. "COLONEL RICHARD L. BOURQUIN". www.buckley.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  20. "DEL 4 receives new commander". Buckley Space Force Base. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  21. "Space Delta 4 welcomes new commander". Buckley Space Force Base. July 21, 2023. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  22. "Ernest R. "Bobby" Schmitt". Buckley Space Force Base.
  1. This detachment location is inferred based on the locations of the detachments of the 1st Space Company, 1st Space Battalion of the U.S. Army, of which there were four. This unit is what was absorbed by the Space Force to become the 5th Space Warning Squadron. This detachment was previously known as JTAGS-Qatar under the Army. [15]