50th Space Communications Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 50th Space Communications Squadron (50 SCS) is a squadron
of the United States Air Force
located at Schriever Air Force Base
, Colorado. The squadron provides command and control systems, configuration control, and systems integrations for seven Department of Defense space programs including $6.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network
supporting $50 billion in national satellite and terrestrial systems for United States, allied, and coalition forces.
The squadron operates and maintains 22 Defense Information Systems Agency
nodes providing secure and unsecure voice and data communications for over 485 worldwide sites as well as over $100 million in base infrastructure supporting over 8,900 personnel.
The squadron administers the MAJCOM Communications Coordination Center overseeing command and control of AFSPC-wide mission-unique communications as well as operating and maintaining the command's Global Command and Control System and Space Digital Information Network.
When the 850th Space Communications Squadron
was inactivated on January 31, 2006, most of its functions and personnel were incorporated into 50 SCS.
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
of the United States Air Force
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...
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. The squadron provides command and control systems, configuration control, and systems integrations for seven Department of Defense space programs including $6.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network
Air Force Satellite Control Network
The Air Force Satellite Control Network provides support for the operation, control, and maintenance of a variety of United States Department of Defense and some non-DoD satellites. This involves continual execution of the tasks involved in Tracking, Telemetry, and Command...
supporting $50 billion in national satellite and terrestrial systems for United States, allied, and coalition forces.
The squadron operates and maintains 22 Defense Information Systems Agency
Defense Information Systems Agency
The Defense Information Systems Agency is a United States Department of Defense agency that provides information technology and communications support to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the military Services, and the Combatant Commands.As part of the Base Realignment and...
nodes providing secure and unsecure voice and data communications for over 485 worldwide sites as well as over $100 million in base infrastructure supporting over 8,900 personnel.
The squadron administers the MAJCOM Communications Coordination Center overseeing command and control of AFSPC-wide mission-unique communications as well as operating and maintaining the command's Global Command and Control System and Space Digital Information Network.
When the 850th Space Communications Squadron
850th Space Communications Squadron
The 850th Space Communications Squadron was a component of the 50th Network Operations Group, 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The squadron was activated 1 December 1997 as the 850th Communications Squadron and redesignated the 850th Space Communications Squadron on 1 October...
was inactivated on January 31, 2006, most of its functions and personnel were incorporated into 50 SCS.
Chain of command
- United States Department of DefenseUnited States Department of DefenseThe United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe 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...
- 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....
- 14th Air Force
- 50th Space Wing50th Space WingThe 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:...
- 50th Network Operations Group50th Network Operations GroupThe 50th Network Operations Group is a unit of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. 50th NOG is the single focal point for operating and maintaining the $8.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network and all 50 SW communications and computer systems...
Lineage
- Constituted 50th Communications Squadron, November 15, 1952
- Activated, January 1, 1953
- Discontinued and inactivated, July 1, 1962
- Activated, March 1, 1991
- Inactivated, September 30, 1991
- Redesignated 50th Satellite Communications Squadron, January 1, 1992
- Activated, January 30, 1992
- Redesignated 50th Space Communications Squadron, July 1, 1992
- Redesignated 50th Communications Squadron, December 1, 1997
- Redesignated 50th Space Communications Squadron, October 1, 2002
Assignments
- 50th Air Base (later 50th Combat Support) Group, January 1, 1953 – July 1, 1962
- 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, May 1 – September 30, 1991
- 50th Operations Group50th Operations GroupThe 50th Operations Group is a component of the 50th Space Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Space Command. The group is stationed at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado....
, January 30, 1992 - 50th Communications Group, December 1, 1997
- 50th Maintenance Group, October 1, 2002
- 50th Communications Group, June 1, 2003 – March 9, 2004
- 50th Network Operations Group50th Network Operations GroupThe 50th Network Operations Group is a unit of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. 50th NOG is the single focal point for operating and maintaining the $8.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network and all 50 SW communications and computer systems...
, March 10, 2004 – present
Stations
- Clovis AFB, NM, January 1 – July 23, 1953
- Hahn AB, Germany, August 10, 1953
- Toul-Rosieres AB, France, July 10, 1956
- Hahn AB, Germany, September 1, 1959 – July 1, 1962
- Hahn AB, Germany, May 1 – September 30, 1991
- Falcon Air Force Station (later Base, later Schriever AFB), CO, January 30, 1992
Commanders
- Lt Col Jody D. Acres, January 30, 1992? – July 12, 1994
- Maj Robert M. Flowers, July 13, 1994 – August 4, 1996
- Lt Col Charles H. Ayala, August 5, 1996 – July 22, 1998
- Lt Col Michael J. Kelley, July 23, 1998 – March 22, 2000
- Lt Col Thomas T. Shields, March 23, 2000 – November 2, 2000
- Lt Col Mark L. Hinchman, November 3, 2000 – December 17, 2000
- Lt Col Mona Lisa D. Tucker, December 18, 2000 – June 25, 2002
- Lt Col Michael J. Clark, June 26, 2002 – July 6, 2004
- Lt Col Mark G. Langenderfer, July 7, 2004 – July 9, 2006
- Lt Col Donovan L. Routsis, July 10, 2006 – August 18, 2008
- Lt Col Donald Fielden, August 19, 2008–2010
- Lt Col Fred H. Taylor, 2010 – present
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: May 1 – August 5, 1991; October 1, 1998 – September 30, 2000; October 1, 2000 – October 1, 2001; October 1, 2001 – October 1, 2002; October 2, 2002 – October 1, 2003Description (blazon)
Azure gridlined as a globe Argent, a gauntlet issuant from sinister base bendwise Silver Gray issuing a lightning flash between two arcing lightning flashes bendwise Or; all within a diminished bordure Sable. Attached above the disc a Gray scroll edged with a narrow Black border. Attached below the disc a Gray scroll edged with a narrow Black border and inscribed "COMM FOR THE WARFIGHTER" in Black letters.Significance
Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The globe represents the earth. The gauntlet denotes power and the flexibility of space communications. The lightning bolts symbolize communications through teamwork and unity which result in swift and accurate striking power.See also
External links
- Official fact sheet
- 50th SCS consolidates LAN, multimedia support, 50th Space Wing50th Space WingThe 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:...
Public Affairs, February 20, 2007 - 50th SCS focuses on info assurance, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs, December 15, 2006
- Comm squadron develops Air Force Standard Desktop, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs, December 14, 2005