3d Space Operations Squadron
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| 3d Space Operations Squadron | |
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 3d Space Operations Squadron emblem |
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| Active | 1990-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Satellite Operations |
| Role | Combat Support |
| Part of | 50th Space Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado |
The United States Air Force's 3d Space Operations Squadron (3 SOPS) is a satellite operations unit located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.
Contents |
[edit] Mission[1]
The mission of 3 SOPS is to ensure reliable space-borne communications to the President, the Secretary of Defense and U.S. and Allied Forces. The mission is accomplished by conducting launch and on-orbit operations for the Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III satellites. DSCS-III provides secure high-rate data communications links to the President, the Secretary of Defense, theater commanders, and strategic and tactical forces worldwide.
[edit] History
The squadron was first activated on June 10, 1941, as the 3rd Photographic Squadron. During the first half of World War II, the squadron conducted airborne mapping operations of the United States, the West Indies, South America, Canada, and the famous "Hump" region in Asia. On May 19, 1944, the unit was redesignated the 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS) and began training for aerial reconnaissance operations using highly modified B-29 Superfortress bombers.
On Oct. 31, 1944, a 3rd PRS F-13 became the first American aircraft over Tokyo since the famed Doolittle Raid in 1942. By the end of the war, the 3rd PRS had flown 460 combat missions mainly over Japan.
In 1985, the initial cadre of Air Force NATO III and DSCS II satellite operators received training at Sunnyvale Air Force Station, Calif. These personnel relocated to Falcon AFB in 1987 and became Operating Location-AB, Consolidated Space Test Center. These men and women became the nucleus of what would eventually become the 3rd SOPS. On Aug. 2, 1988, OL-AB began 24-hour operations at Falcon AFS. By May 1989, OL-AB was conducting station-keeping maneuvers on NATO III and DSCS II satellites. On Feb. 2, 1990, OL-AB was deactivated with the personnel and mission transferring to the newly activated 3rd SOPS.
In November 1990, the 3rd SCS was directed to relocate a DSCS II from over the Pacific to a position over the Indian Ocean in support of Operation Desert Shield. The series of relocation maneuvers were completed in December 1990 and the satellite was then configured for operational use. Combat crews saved a failing FLTSATCOM spacecraft just as Operation Desert Storm commenced, ensuring the U.S. Navy's two carrier groups had command and control of their aircraft.
On July 11, 1991, in a formal operations turnover ceremony, the squadron accepted complete operational mission transfer of all assigned satellite programs. This transfer officially established operational control of the assigned DOD communications satellites to Air Force Space Command.
On Jan. 30, 1992, as part of a reorganization at Falcon AFB, the 3rd SCS was redesignated the 3rd SOPS.
On March 25, 1993, the first UHF F/O was launched. Unfortunately due to an Atlas II rocket booster malfunction, the satellite was placed in the wrong orbit. Over the next several weeks, 3rd personnel planned and executed a series of 25 maneuvers to move the satellite to a super-synchronous orbit. The commander of Air Force Space Command recognized 3rd SOPS for their heroic efforts.
In June 1996, as part of an Air Force and Navy agreement, operations of the FLTSAT constellation were turned over to the Naval Satellite Operations Center at Pt. Mugu, Calif. In December 1996, 3rd SOPS transferred control of the Milstar constellation to 4th SOPS. On Dec. 18, 1996, 3rd SOPS gained control of five operating locations located in Nebraska, Virginia, Guam, Italy, and Hawaii. The OLs were responsible for running the Air Force's Satellite Management Centers, which monitored and controlled user access to UHF communications satellites. As part of the same agreement that transferred FLTSAT, the SMC's mission was also transferred to the Navy.
On July 2, 1999, as part of the same agreement that transferred FLTSAT to the Navy, operational control of UHF F/O Flights 2-9 transferred to NAVSOC. On Feb. 10, 2000, after several months of on-orbit checkout, 3rd SOPS conducted its last UHF F/O sortie on Flight 10.
As part of the Congressionally-mandated Base Realignment and Closure decision of Onizuka Air Force Station in 1996, 3rd SOPS assumed the DSCS III launch mission from 5th SOPS. The most recent DSCS III launch took place in March 2003.
In 2007, 3rd SOPS will assume satellite control authority of one of the DOD's newest and most robust communications satellites, Wideband Global SATCOM.
[edit] Previous designations
- 3d Space Operations Squadron (Jan 30, 1992-Present)
- 3d Space Communications Squadron (???-Jan 30, 1992)
[edit] Locations
- Schriever AFB, Colorado (1988-Present)
- Sunnyvale AFS, California (1985-1988)
[edit] Satellites Operated
- Wideband Global Satellite[2] (Future)
- DSCS III[3](1990-Present)
- U/FO
- FLTSATCOM[4] (???)
- DSCS II (???)
- NATO IV (???)
[edit] References
- ^ 3SOPS Fact Sheet
- ^ AFSPC - Wideband Global Satellite Factsheet
- ^ AFSPC - DSCS III Factsheet
- ^ JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library - FLTSATCOM
[edit] External links
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