5th Space Control Squadron

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5th Space Control Squadron
Emblem of the 5th Space Control Squadron.jpg
Emblem of the 5th Space Control Squadron
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeSpace electronic warfare
Part ofSpace Delta 3
Garrison/HQPeterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Motto(s)TRACKING THE DEEP
DecorationsOutstanding Unit ribbon.svg AFOUA
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Susan Bedell[1]
Notable
commanders		John W. Raymond
Insignia
Emblem of the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron5th Space Surveillance Squadron.png

The United States Space Force's 5th Space Control Squadron (5 SPCS) was a space control unit located at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

Mission[]

The mission of the 5 SSS was to operate the Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) system and Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) to gather space intelligence and track space systems in both near- and far-Earth orbits.

History[]

The dual LASS/DSTS operation supported USAF space intelligence requirements, while being assisted by the 18th Intelligence Squadron's Det 4 for SIGINT support.[2] This coverage augmented worldwide coverage of space signals activities at similarly equipped sites at Misawa AB, Japan, Osan AB, Republic of Korea and at Griffiss AFB in the United States.[3]

The Deep Space Tracking System uses sensitive, highly accurate 20-foot dish antennas to detect and track S-band radio signals transmitted by radio beacons on most satellites. There were DSTS receivers located at Griffiss AFB, New York; RAF Feltwell, Great Britain; and Misawa AB, Japan.[4]

The 5 SSS was inactivated in 2003, with administration of RAF Feltwell transferred to Detachment 4, 18th Intelligence Squadron.

Previous designations[]

  • 5th Space Surveillance Squadron (1989–2003)

Bases stationed[]

List of commanders[]

  • Lt Col Ronald P. Mitchell, 1 October 1990 – ???
  • Lt Col James L. Burling, Jr., August 1994 – 28 September 1996
  • Lt Col Steven R. Prebeck, 28 September 1996 – ???[5]
  • Lt Col John Amrine, June 1999 – July 2000[6]
  • Lt Col John W. Raymond, April 2000 – June 2001[7]
  • Lt Col Susan Bedell, 10 October 2019 – present[1]

Equipment Operated[]

  • Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) (1989–2003)
  • Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) (1989–2003)

See also[]

Decorations[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "721st OG activated as USAF realigns to 'Protect and Defend' U.S. Space Capabilities". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil.
  2. ^ Richelson, Jeffrey (4 February 1999). Richelson, J. The US Intelligence Community, 4th Edition. ISBN 9780813368931.
  3. ^ "21st Space Wing [21st SW]". www.globalsecurity.org.
  4. ^ "SeeSat-L Jan-96 : US Space Surveillance Network". www.satobs.org.
  5. ^ AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996)
  6. ^ "Official Biography of Colonel Amrine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 30, 2007.
  7. ^ "Peterson-Schriever Garrison | USSF | Peterson Air Force Base". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009.
  8. ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001
  9. ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000
  10. ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-62, 6 December 1999
  11. ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-58, 6 December 1999
  12. ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997
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