The 2d Space Warning Squadron (2SWS) Is part of the 460th Space Wing

460th Space Wing

The 460th Space Wing is located at Buckley Air Force Base, east of Aurora, Colorado. Since the 460th was redesignated on 1 October 2004, the wing has delivered global infrared surveillance, provided worldwide missile warning and tracking for homeland defense purposes, and provided expeditionary...

 at Buckley Air Force Base

Buckley 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:...

, 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...

. It operates the Space-Based Infrared System

Space-Based Infrared System

The Space-Based Infrared System is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century...

 (SBIRS

Space-Based Infrared System

The Space-Based Infrared System is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century...

) 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....

s conducting global monitoring for significant infrared

Infrared

Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...

 events.

Mission

Operate and maintain the SBIRS satellite constellation and Mission Control Station. Additionally, they report ballistic missile

Ballistic missile

A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...

 and space launch

Space launch

Space launch is the earliest part of a flight that reaches space. Space launch involves liftoff, when a rocket or other space launch vehicle leaves the ground at the start of a flight...

es, nuclear

Nuclear weapon

A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...

 detonations, and infrared data of operational value to the President

President of the United States

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....

, Secretary of Defense

United States Secretary of Defense

The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...

, combatant commanders, intelligence agencies, and global warfighters.

History

The 2d has operated ground station set up to control the Defense Support Program

Defense Support Program

The Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....

 (DSP), a space-based surveillance system configured to detect and report ballistic missile launches, space launches, and nuclear detonations since 1992.

Previous Designations

• 2d Space Warning Squadron (1993–Present)
• 2d Space Communications Squadron (1992–1993)
• 2d Communications Squadron (1971–1992)

Commanders

• Lt Col John "Skip" Henley (June 2011 - present)
• Lt Col Jennifer K. Jenkins (June 2009 - June 2011)
• Lt Col Michelle Edmondson (June 2007 - Jun 2009)
• Lt Col Daniel D. Wright III (June 2005 - June 2007)
• Lt Col Steven Smith (June 2003 - June 2007)
• Lt Col Robert D. Gibson (June 2001 - June 2003)
• Lt Col Jack Weinstein (July 1999 - July 2001)
• Lt Col Eric R. Molner (13 May 1999 - 13 July 1999)
• Lt Col Franklin R. Fish (23 Jul 1997 - 12 May 1999)
• Lt Col Samuel G. Edgar III (31 May 1996 - 22 July 1997)
• Col Duane W. Deal (Jul 1995 - May 1996)
• Col R. Layman (27 November 1993 - 8 June 1995)
• Col Paul (July 1992 - December 1993)
• Col Hannigan (March 1991 - July 1992)
• Col Hess (August 1988 - March 1991)
• Col Matsuyama (July 1986 - August 1988)
• Col Doss (July 1984 - July 1986)
• Col David Wenker (July 1982 - July 1984)
• Col Walker (July 1981 - July 1982)
• Col Henry Hill (May 1978 - July 1981)
• Col Bernard Kerin (August 1975 - May 1978)
• Lt Col Leo Johnson (June 1975 - August 1975)
• Col Kenneth Ertel (August 1973 - June 1975)
• Col Donald A. Vogt (early 1973 – August 1973)
• Col Lura Hearn (1971 - 1973)

Assignments

• 21st Space Wing
  21st Space Wing
  The 21st Space Wing is a unit of the Air Force Space Command based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The unit is tasked with the operation of early missile warning and space object detection equipment around the world in support of NORAD and USSTRATCOM through a network of command and control...
  
   (1992 - 19 Aug 2004)
• 460th Space Wing
  460th Space Wing
  The 460th Space Wing is located at Buckley Air Force Base, east of Aurora, Colorado. Since the 460th was redesignated on 1 October 2004, the wing has delivered global infrared surveillance, provided worldwide missile warning and tracking for homeland defense purposes, and provided expeditionary...
  
   (19 Aug 2004–Present)

Systems Operated

• Space-Based Infrared System
  Space-Based Infrared System
  The Space-Based Infrared System is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century...
  
   (SBIRS
  Space-Based Infrared System
  The Space-Based Infrared System is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century...
  
  ) satellites (200x-Present)
• Defense Support Program
  Defense Support Program
  The Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
  
   (DSP) Satellites (1992–Present)

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  • 1 Oct 2000-31 Aug 2001
  • 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999
  • 1 Jan 1998-31 Dec 1998
  • 1 Oct 1997-30 Sep 1999
  • 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997
  • 1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994
  • 1 Sep 1989-31 Aug 1991
  • 1 May 1983-30 Apr 1984
  • 1 Jul 1979-30 Jun 1981
  • 1 May 1975-1 Jun 1976

External links

• USAF Engineers 2 SPWRS Page