2d Space Operations Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 2d Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) is a unit of the United States Air Force
at Schriever Air Force Base
, Colorado
. Its mission is to manage the Navstar Global Positioning System
satellite
constellation for global navigation, time transfer, and nuclear detonation detection.
2 SOPS is augmented by Reserve
personnel from the 19th Space Operations Squadron
, part of the 310th Space Wing
.
. It was then organized on 1 February 1962 under the 9th Aerospace Defense Division, under which it operated SPACETRACK, the USAF globe-spanning space surveillance network, from 1962 through 1967. The squadron was discontinued and inactivated on 1 January 1967.
It was redesignated the 2d Satellite Control Squadron on 16 July 1985 at Falcon Air Force Station as the first operational squadron of the 2d Space Wing
. Activated on 1 October 1985.
2 SOPS has controlled the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System
satellite constellation and managed the Nuclear Detonation System in support of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty since 1987.
On 30 January 1992, as part of an Air Force reorganization, 2 SCS was redesignated the 2d Space Operations Squadron.
On June 18, 2004, a 24/7 user focal point, the GPSOC, was established.
In late 2005, several National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
monitor stations were integrated into the network to improve navigation accuracy and signal monitoring.
2 SOPS had one geographically separated unit (GSU), Detachment 1, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
, Florida
. It was responsible for maintenance of a GPS Ground Antenna, Monitor Station, and various operational test assets. It is now deactivated, though contractors remained to perform the mission.
File:2 SOPS space systems operator 040205-F-0000C-001.jpg|2 SOPS operator Bibi Ramos runs a checklist during GPS ops
File:2 SOPS Det 1 2007-04.jpg|Detachment 1 at Cape Canavaral Air Force Station (now inactive)
File:Det 1, 2 SOPS Deactivation.jpg|Det 1, 2 SOPS Deactivation ceremony
File:Lt Col DeAnna Burt.jpg|Lt Col DeAnna Burt, 2008-2010 2 SOPS Commander
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...
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...
. Its mission is to manage the Navstar Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
constellation for global navigation, time transfer, and nuclear detonation detection.
2 SOPS is augmented by Reserve
Air Force Reserve Command
The Air Force Reserve Command is a major command of the U.S. Air Force with its headquarters at Robins AFB, Georgia.It stood up as a major command of the Air Force on 17 February 1997....
personnel from the 19th Space Operations Squadron
19th Space Operations Squadron
The 19th Space Operations Squadron is an Air Force Reserve space operations unit, located at Schriever AFB, Colorado.-Mission:...
, part of the 310th Space Wing
310th Space Wing
The 310th Space Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command Tenth Air Force. It is a tenant unit at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo....
.
Mission
The squadron performs the command and control mission for the Global Positioning System satellite constellation. GPS is the world's premiere space-based position, velocity and timing system, capable of providing precision navigation and timing capability simultaneously to an unlimited number of properly equipped users. Continuous GPS availability and unprecedented signal accuracy has resulted in widespread integration of the technology; numerous military, commercial and international users have embraced GPS.History
2 SOPS was originally constituted as the 2d Surveillance Squadron (Sensor) and activated on 16 January 1962 under North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) at Ent Air Force BaseEnt Air Force Base
Ent Air Force Base was a United States Air Force facility opened in 1951 on the site of a closed sanatorium in conjunction with the move of the United States Air Force's Air Defense Command, later Aerospace Defense Command , to Colorado Springs, Colorado...
. It was then organized on 1 February 1962 under the 9th Aerospace Defense Division, under which it operated SPACETRACK, the USAF globe-spanning space surveillance network, from 1962 through 1967. The squadron was discontinued and inactivated on 1 January 1967.
It was redesignated the 2d Satellite Control Squadron on 16 July 1985 at Falcon Air Force Station as the first operational squadron of the 2d Space Wing
2d Space Wing
The 2d Space Wing was a wing of the United States Air Force. It activated on 8 July 1985 as the host wing at Falcon Air Force Station . The wing took operational control of the Air Force Satellite Control Network in October 1987...
. Activated on 1 October 1985.
2 SOPS has controlled the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
satellite constellation and managed the Nuclear Detonation System in support of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty since 1987.
On 30 January 1992, as part of an Air Force reorganization, 2 SCS was redesignated the 2d Space Operations Squadron.
On June 18, 2004, a 24/7 user focal point, the GPSOC, was established.
In late 2005, several National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States with the primary mission of collecting, analyzing and distributing geospatial intelligence in support of national security. NGA was formerly known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency ...
monitor stations were integrated into the network to improve navigation accuracy and signal monitoring.
2 SOPS had one geographically separated unit (GSU), Detachment 1, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It was responsible for maintenance of a GPS Ground Antenna, Monitor Station, and various operational test assets. It is now deactivated, though contractors remained to perform the mission.
Emblem description
- On a Blue disc, a Light Blue globe grid lined Yellow issuing from base and charged with a Scarlet lighting flash bendwise; in chief a White eight point pole star above and (Yellow pole stars) on a White orbit ring arcing over the globe; a Yellow pole star all within a narrow Yellow border.
Commanders
- Lt Col Jennifer Grant (Aug 2010 - Present)
- Lt Col DeAnna M. Burt (Aug 2008 – Aug 2010)
- Lt Col Kurt W. Kuntzleman (Jul 2006 - Aug 2008)
- Lt Col Stephen T. Hamilton (Jul 2004 - Jul 2006)
- Lt Col Scott A. Henderson (Jul 2002 - Jul 2004)
- Lt Col Daniel P. Jordan (Jun 2000 - Jul 2002)
- Lt Col James K. McLaughlin (Jul 1998 - Jun 2000)
- Lt Col Joseph P. Squatrito (Oct 1996 - Jul 1998)
- Lt Col Roger C. Hunter (Mar 1995 - Oct 1996)
- Maj Thomas A. Shircliff (Jan 1995 - Mar 1995)
- Lt Col Frank M. DeArmond (Jun 1994 - Jan 1995)
- Lt Col Harrison C. Freer (Jun 1992 - Jun 1994)
- Lt Col William L. SheltonWilliam L. SheltonWilliam Lee Shelton is a United States Air Force four-star general who serves as the current Commander, Air Force Space Command. He previously was the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and Director, Air Staff. He previously served as Chief of Warfighting Integration and...
(Aug 1990 - Jun 1992) - Lt Col Michael E. Shaw (Apr 1989 - Aug 1990)
- Lt Col Barry R. Springer (Apr 1988 - Apr 1989)
- Lt Col Steven C. Stadler (Oct 1985 - Apr 1988)
Decorations
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 June 1964-31 May 1966
- 1 December 1987-30 November 1989
- 1 September 1990-31 August 1991
Photo gallery
File:2 SOPS space systems operator 040205-F-0000C-001.jpg|2 SOPS operator Bibi Ramos runs a checklist during GPS ops
File:2 SOPS Det 1 2007-04.jpg|Detachment 1 at Cape Canavaral Air Force Station (now inactive)
File:Det 1, 2 SOPS Deactivation.jpg|Det 1, 2 SOPS Deactivation ceremony
File:Lt Col DeAnna Burt.jpg|Lt Col DeAnna Burt, 2008-2010 2 SOPS Commander