17th Test Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 17th Test Squadron is a United States Air Force
test and evaluation unit, located at Schriever Air Force Base
, Colorado
. 17 TS is tasked with testing and evaluating space systems and associated support equipment.
The official 17 TS Vision is Building a world-class Operational Test and Evaluation team that provides operationally-relevant, timely and unbiased assessments.
(since redesignated as an AFB). The unit inactivated on 15 October 1992.
On 12 July 1995, the unit officially reactivated as the 17th Test Squadron. Special Order GD-018 stated, “The 1017th Test and Evaluation Squadron, having been redesignated as the 17th Test Squadron and assigned to Air Force Space Command
, is activated at Falcon AFB, Colorado, and further assigned to the Space Warfare Center effective 21 July 1995...Operating Location A, 17th Test Squadron is designated and activated at Cheyenne Mountain AS, Colorado...Personnel, supplies, equipment, funds and records will be absorbed by the 17th Test Squadron.”
The stand-up ceremony was held on Friday, 21 July 1996, in the Presentation Center of the Joint National Test Facility at 1300. The special guests included Col Burkhart, the 50th Space Wing
(50 SW) Vice Commander; Col Deese, the AFSPC Comptroller; Col Kingsberry, from the AFSPC Division of Space Control; Col Mercier, Commander of Detachment 4 of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center; and Col Springer, from AFSPC Division of Training and Standardization. After the reading of the activation orders, the 17 TS guidon was unsheathed, symbolizing the creation of a new USAF squadron. Then the guidon was passed to Col Howard J. Fry, the Commander of the Space Warfare Center and the Presiding Officer for the stand-up. Colonel Fry passed the guidon to Lt Col Carl Cox, the first Commander of the 17 TS, signifying the passing of all legal and operational responsibilities. At the formation of the squadron, manning was at just over ten people.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
test and evaluation unit, located at Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located approximately 10 miles east of Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.-Overview:...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. 17 TS is tasked with testing and evaluating space systems and associated support equipment.
Mission
The mission of the 17th Test Squadron is to enhance the military utility of space power through the Operational Test and Evaluation of space systems.The official 17 TS Vision is Building a world-class Operational Test and Evaluation team that provides operationally-relevant, timely and unbiased assessments.
History
On 6 April 1990, at Peterson AFB CO the 1017th Test and Evaluation Squadron was activated. The mission of the 1017th was to perform Air Staff-directed Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) and Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) of Air Force Space Command space surveillance, missile warning, and command and control systems. The Squadron oversaw two operating locations at Falcon AFB (since renamed Schriever AFB) and Buckley ANGBBuckley Air Force Base
Buckley Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Aurora, Colorado, that was established by the U.S. Army in 1943. The base was named in honor of the World War I Army pilot 1LT John Harold Buckley.-Overview:...
(since redesignated as an AFB). The unit inactivated on 15 October 1992.
On 12 July 1995, the unit officially reactivated as the 17th Test Squadron. Special Order GD-018 stated, “The 1017th Test and Evaluation Squadron, having been redesignated as the 17th Test Squadron and assigned to Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
, is activated at Falcon AFB, Colorado, and further assigned to the Space Warfare Center effective 21 July 1995...Operating Location A, 17th Test Squadron is designated and activated at Cheyenne Mountain AS, Colorado...Personnel, supplies, equipment, funds and records will be absorbed by the 17th Test Squadron.”
The stand-up ceremony was held on Friday, 21 July 1996, in the Presentation Center of the Joint National Test Facility at 1300. The special guests included Col Burkhart, the 50th Space Wing
50th Space Wing
The 50th Space Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force under the major command of Air Force Space Command . It was activated on 30 January 1992, replacing the 2d Space Wing, which was deactivated on the same date.-Overview:...
(50 SW) Vice Commander; Col Deese, the AFSPC Comptroller; Col Kingsberry, from the AFSPC Division of Space Control; Col Mercier, Commander of Detachment 4 of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center; and Col Springer, from AFSPC Division of Training and Standardization. After the reading of the activation orders, the 17 TS guidon was unsheathed, symbolizing the creation of a new USAF squadron. Then the guidon was passed to Col Howard J. Fry, the Commander of the Space Warfare Center and the Presiding Officer for the stand-up. Colonel Fry passed the guidon to Lt Col Carl Cox, the first Commander of the 17 TS, signifying the passing of all legal and operational responsibilities. At the formation of the squadron, manning was at just over ten people.
Previous designations
- 17th Test Squadron (30 June 1995–Present)
- 1017th Test and Evaluation Squadron (6 April 1990-15 October 1992)
Major command
- Air Force Space CommandAir Force Space CommandAir Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
(6 April 1990-15 October 1992; 21 July 1995–Present)
Detachments
- Detachment 1: Colorado Springs, CO
- Detachment 2: Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, CO
- Detachment 3: Patrick AFB, FL
- Detachment 3-Operating Location Alpha: Vandenberg AFB, CA
- Operating Location Alpha: Peterson AFB, CO
- Operating Location Delta: Buckley AFB, CO
Locations
- Falcon AFB (later Schriever AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
) (21 July 1995–Present) - Peterson AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
(6 April 1990-15 October 1992)