16th Space Control Squadron (United States)
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| 16th Space Control Squadron | |
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 16th SCS emblem |
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| Active | 1966-1993; 2007-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Peterson AFB |
The United States Air Force's 16th Space Control Squadron is an Air Force Space Command unit located at Peterson AFB, Colorado and assigned to the 21st Space Wing. The 16th SPCS operates the Rapid Attack Identification Detection Reporting System, or RAIDRS.
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[edit] Mission
The 16th SPCS is AFSPC's first defensive counterspace unit. The unit is responsible for operating space control capabilities to rapidly achieve flexible and versatile space superiority in support of theater campaigns and USSTRATCOM's Space Superiority mission.
To achieve this, 16th SPCS operates the RAIDRS Central Operating Location, six RAIDRS Fixed Ground Stations and three RAIDRS Deployable Ground Segments. The unit provides near real-time event detection, characterization, geo-location and electromagnetic interference reporting for critical satellite communications systems in direct support of combatant commanders. When fully operational, RAIDRS will detect EMI in the C-, X-, KU- and UHF frequencies.
[edit] History
16th SPCS was activated in November 1966 as the 16th Surveillance Squadron, Shemya AFS, Alaska, under Air Defense Command. The unit mission was to operate the Cobra Dane long-range early warning radar system, used to track Soviet missile launches. It was assigned to the 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing in January 1967 and then to the 14th Aerospace Force in April 1971.
The unit was again reassigned in 1983, this time to the 1st Space Wing as one of the original squadrons in the newly established Air Force Space Command. In 1991, it was assigned to the 73rd Space Surveillance Group. In 1992, the unit was designated the 16th Space Surveillance Squadron. The unit was inactivated in 1993.
The unit was reactivated at Peterson AFB in May 2007 under the 21st Space Wing to operate the RAIDRS defensive counterspace system.
[edit] Previous designations
- 16th Space Control Squadron (2007-Present)
- 16th Space Surveillance Squadron (1992-1993)
- 16th Surveillance Squadron (1966-1992)
[edit] Bases stationed
- Peterson AFB, Colorado (2007-Present)
- Shemya AFS, Alaska (1966-1993)
[edit] System Operated
- RAIDRS (2007-Present)
- AN/FPS-108 Cobra Dane (1976-1993)
[edit] External links
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