Space and Missile Badge

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The Space Operations Badge was a military badge of the United States Air Force which was awarded to those personnel who completed training in space warning, satellite command and control, missile operations, space surveillance, or space lift. It was typically issued as a companion decoration to the Missile Badge.

The Space Operations Badge was presented in three grades being that of basic, senior, and master. The basic badge was awarded for completion of initial space training while the senior and master badges were awarded based on years of service in Air Force Space assignments; for officer the steps occur at seven and fifteen years respectively. For enlisted personnel the senior badge was awarded upon attaining a "7 skill level" and the master badge as a Master Sergeant or above with five years in the specialty from award of the senior badge.

The grades of the Space and Missile badge were denoted by a star (senior) and wreath (master) centered above the decoration.

In 2004, the Air Force Force Space Command Commander, General Lance Lord, announced the introduction of a new badge. The new Space Professional Badge replaced the Space Operations Badge and the Missile Operations Badge. The new badge is no longer limited to pure space and missile operators, but is also awarded to scientists, engineers and acquisition officer who have performed space/missile acquisition and operations duties.

References: http://www.missilenews.com/space-command-news/new-space-badge-wear-begi-2.shtml