4th Space Warning Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 4th Space Warning Squadron (4 SWS) was an United States Air Force
missile
warning unit located at Holloman AFB, New Mexico
. The unit's primary mission was to provide mobile DSP
support in case of wartime.
Employed the Air Force's only strategic survivable, mobile ground system (MGS) to receive early warning data. The 4th provided survivable and endurable missile warning detection to the National Command Authority and had the ability to survive and operate through all phases of trans/post attack. The 4th unlike most fixed units, the 4th was designed to be mobile, and deployed to any location in the world. In addition, the satellites provided immediate, worldwide missile warning, space launch, and nuclear detonation detection.
After declassification of the 4th SWS, new patches were designed and approved by Space Command/USAF (DoD).
Azure, a globe in dexter chief Celeste gridlined of the first overall a silhouette of a scorpion Sable fimbriated Argent and grasping in its pincers an orbital ring
fesswise charged with a flight symbol and an orbital ring of a lightning flash palewise both enfilling the globe Gules; all within a diminished bordure Or. Approved on 31 Mar 1995.
File:Holloman mobile communication antennae.PNG|Mobile communication antennae at Holloman AFB
File:DSP Mobile Ground Terminal.png|Mobile Defense Support Program Ground Terminal, circa 1998
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...
missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
warning unit located at Holloman AFB, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. The unit's primary mission was to provide mobile DSP
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....
support in case of wartime.
Mission
The 4th SWS provided immediate, worldwide missile warning, space launch and detection in the event of an attack against the United States.Employed the Air Force's only strategic survivable, mobile ground system (MGS) to receive early warning data. The 4th provided survivable and endurable missile warning detection to the National Command Authority and had the ability to survive and operate through all phases of trans/post attack. The 4th unlike most fixed units, the 4th was designed to be mobile, and deployed to any location in the world. In addition, the satellites provided immediate, worldwide missile warning, space launch, and nuclear detonation detection.
History
The 4th Space Warning Squadron (4 SWS), was originally constituted on 1 Aug 1986, taking the mobile DSP mission from the inactivated 1025th Satellite Communications Squadron, Mobile (1025 SCS). The Mission was turned over to Buckley Air Force Base in Mid 1997.Emblem
The original emblem of the 4th SWS was classified TSA/SECRET. USAF personnel, airman that were assigned to the squadron were not allowed to actually wear the patches. As wearing the patches constituted a security risk by identifying specific airmen with the squadron.After declassification of the 4th SWS, new patches were designed and approved by Space Command/USAF (DoD).
Azure, a globe in dexter chief Celeste gridlined of the first overall a silhouette of a scorpion Sable fimbriated Argent and grasping in its pincers an orbital ring
Orbital ring
An Orbital Ring is a concept for a space elevator that consists of a ring in low earth orbit that rotates at above orbital speed, that has fixed tethers hanging down to the ground.The structure is intended to be used for space launch....
fesswise charged with a flight symbol and an orbital ring of a lightning flash palewise both enfilling the globe Gules; all within a diminished bordure Or. Approved on 31 Mar 1995.
Previous Designations
- 4th Space Warning Squadron (1 Oct 1992-???)
- 4th Space Communications Squadron (15 May 1992-1 Oct 1992)
- 4th Satellite Communications Squadron, Mobile (1 Aug 1986-15 May 1992)
Decorations
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997
Photo gallery
File:Holloman mobile communication antennae.PNG|Mobile communication antennae at Holloman AFB
File:DSP Mobile Ground Terminal.png|Mobile Defense Support Program Ground Terminal, circa 1998
See also
- 21st Space Wing21st Space WingThe 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...
- 137th Space Warning Squadron137th Space Warning Squadron137th Space Warning Squadron is an Air National Guard ground-mobile space communications unit of the United States Air Force and is located in Greeley, Colorado.-Mission:...