Joint Space Operations Center
Encyclopedia
Joint Functional Component Command for Space
The Joint Functional Component Command for Space is a component of US Strategic Command. The Command was established on 19 July 2006, and activated on 12 September 2006, under the command of General William L. Shelton...
(JFCC SPACE) mission. The purpose of the JSpOC is to provide a focal point for the operational employment of worldwide joint space forces, and enable the Commander of JFCC SPACE (CDR JFCC SPACE) to integrate space power into global military operations. The JSpOC is located at Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
in California, is the organization responsible for performing all of the orbit determination
Orbit determination
Orbit determination is a branch of astronomy specialised in calculating, and hence predicting, the orbits of objects such as moons, planets, and spacecraft . These orbits could be orbiting the Earth, or other bodies...
activity necessary to maintain the US space catalogue.
Organization
The JSpOC includes the personnel from all four military services and three Allied nations (United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada), facilities and equipment necessary to provide CDR JFCC SPACE the ability to plan and execute command and control of worldwide space forces. It is composed of five core divisions: Strategy (SD), Combat Plans (CPD), Combat Operations (COD), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISRD), and Unified Space Vault (USV).Products
Three products are used to plan and execute JFCC SPACE forces in support of the mission:- Space Operations Directive (SOD; produced by Strategy Division): The SOD is a weekly assertion of CDR JFCC SPACE's intent, and gives him overall visibility into the efforts of the subordinate units assigned to his Tactical Control (TACON).
- Master Space Plan (MSP; produced by Combat Plans Division): The MSP visually details how joint space forces will support both CDR JFCC SPACE and theater commanders and guides the creation of the weekly JSTO.
- Joint Space Tasking Order (JSTO; produced by Combat Plans Division): The JSTO functions as CDR JFCC SPACE's execution order and tasks his OPCON and TACON units with specific missions.
All three products can be effectively matched to synchronize with ongoing exercise or real-world wartime operations in any geographic combatant command.
Combat Operations Division effectively directs the execution phase of operations and provides information on tasking responses to CDR JFCC SPACE, the other JSpOC divisions, upper command echelons, and theater space personnel for their space situational awareness. In doing so, they create and maintain the Single Integrated Space Picture (SISP).
The Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Division is integrated into all phases of the operational cycle, providing pertinent space intelligence information to the other three divisions in support of the strategy, planning and operations monitoring efforts.
Components
- Strategy Division,
- Combat Plans Division,
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Division (formerly 614 SIS),
- Combat Operations Division (formerly 614 SOPS, 614 SIS and 1 SPCS),
- Unified Space VaultUnified Space VaultThe Unified Space Vault as one of five divisions of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center / Joint Space Operations Center , provides a focused approach for all 614 AOC / JSpOC vault activities and coordinates critical space operations, to include Laser Clearinghouse and Information...
Division
Force Providing Units
- 614th Air and Space Operations Center614th Air and Space Operations CenterThe 614th Air and Space Operations Center is a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air Force / The 614th Air and Space Operations Center (614 AOC) is a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air Force / The 614th Air and Space Operations Center (614 AOC) is a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air...
- 614th Air and Space Communications Squadron
- 9th Space Operations Squadron9th Space Operations SquadronThe United States Air Force's 9th Space Operations Squadron is a space operations unit located at Vandenberg AFB, California. 9 SOPS operates the Joint Space Operations Center, or JSpOC, performing combat operations, plans, strategy and intelligence assessments enabling the commander, Joint...
(AF Reserve or AFR) - 216th Operational Support Squadron (California Air National GuardCalifornia Air National GuardThe California Air National Guard is the air component of the California National Guard. The California Air National Guard is headquartered at Sacramento, California.One of the duties of the California Air National Guard is defense of the United States...
or CA ANG)
History
Apr 1996 Thirty-seven members were assigned to the 614th Space Operations Flight (614 SOPF) and were initially housed in two temporary facilities.Nov 1997 The 614 SOPF christened a new space operations center. 614 SOPF was later redesignated 614 SOPS.
1 Aug 1998 Since its inception, the 614 SOPG has continuously operated the Air Force’s command and control center for space operations forces, variously known as the Space Operations Center, the SPACAF AOC, and finally, the Joint Space Operations Center, or JSpOC. During its history, it also had responsibility for the 614th Space Communications Squadron and its mission of serving as the Extremely High Frequency SATCOM subject matter expert, as well as providing manning to the Global and Regional SATCOM Support Centers. In May 2005, the 614 SOPG took responsibility for the 1st Space Control Squadron
1st Space Control Squadron
The United States Air Force's 1st Space Control Squadron was a space situational awareness unit located at Cheyenne Mountain AFS, Colorado and later moved to Vandenberg AFB, California...
and its mission of tracking and cataloging all man-made objects in space.
July 1999 The Space Operations Center was redesignated as the 14th Air Force Air and Space Operations Center (Space AOC). With the support of Headquarters 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....
, Space AOC manpower grew to over 100 positions.
May 2005 The Space AOC was redesignated as the Joint Space Operation Center (JSpOC) and moved into a new, larger facility still within the 14th Air Force HQ building. The 1st Space Control Squadron
1st Space Control Squadron
The United States Air Force's 1st Space Control Squadron was a space situational awareness unit located at Cheyenne Mountain AFS, Colorado and later moved to Vandenberg AFB, California...
became part of the 614 AOC / JSpOC.
21 Sep 2007 The ribbon is cut on a new operations center, in a new building, and consolidated all 614 AOC units to Vandenberg AFB, CA; operations began in the few facility on 18 Aug 2007. General Kevin P. Chilton
Kevin P. Chilton
Kevin Patrick "Chilli" Chilton , is an engineer and a former United States Air Force four-star general. His last assignment was as Commander, U.S. Strategic Command from October 3, 2007 to January 28, 2011. Prior to his appointment to general officer ranks, Chilton spent 11 years of his military...
(AFSPC/CC) presided; Maj Gen William L. Shelton
William L. Shelton
William 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...
(14 AF/CC) was also present. The 614 AOC is co-located with and forms the core of the JSpOC.
Unit Emblem
The unit shield takes elements from its heritage and parent unit. The four color center is taken from the JFCC SPACE shield. The purple background signifies the joint environment in which they work. The tiger is taken from the patch of the 614 AOC, and 614 SOPG before it. The key in the middle of the shield comes from the former 614 SIS and the intelligence operators that currently staff the JSpOC. The orbit and star are brought from the former 614 SOPS and also shows the unti's tie to the original Army Air Corps and the command and control of space forces operating weapons systems traversing through space. Finally, the banner encircling the patch is the JSpOC's formal name and motto.Unit Honors
Members assigned via its multiple force providing units have a distinguished history earning many awards, including the 2005 US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha Trophy for the Best Space and Information Operations Unit and 2007 USSTRATCOM Omaha Trophy for the Best Space Operations Unit.JSpOC force providers have earned many awards, including the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award in 1998 and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Chain of Command
- United States Department of DefenseUnited States Department of DefenseThe United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
- United States Strategic CommandUnited States Strategic CommandUnited States Strategic Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense . The Command, including components, employs more than 2,700 people, representing all four services, including DoD civilians and contractors, who oversee the command's operationally...
- Joint Functional Component Command for SpaceJoint Functional Component Command for SpaceThe Joint Functional Component Command for Space is a component of US Strategic Command. The Command was established on 19 July 2006, and activated on 12 September 2006, under the command of General William L. Shelton...
- Joint Space Operations Center
External links
- Vandenberg Air Force Base website