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Library > Fact Sheets > 50th Space Wing
50TH SPACE WING
The 50th Space Wing, a component of Air Force Space Command, is located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.
It is responsible for the operation and support of more than 170 Department of Defense satellites and installation support to 15 major tenant units with a workforce of more than 6000 personnel.
MISSION
The 50th SW's mission is to defend the United States of America by providing combat effects from space and conducting expeditionary operations.
The 50th SW provides integrated combat effects from space, ensures command and control of satellite weapons systems, and conducts expeditionary operations to enable sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests.
The wing operates and supports satellite programs including Midcourse Space Experiment, Global Positioning System, the Defense Satellite Communications System, Wideband Global SATCOM, Milstar, and the worldwide Air Force Satellite Control Network.
The wing operates satellite operation centers at Schriever AFB and remote tracking stations and other command and control facilities around the world. These facilities monitor satellites during launch, put the satellites in their proper orbits following launch, operate the satellites while they are in orbit, keep them functioning properly and properly dispose of the satellites at their end of life.
ORGANIZATION
The wing is composed of three groups: 50th Operations Group, 50th Network Operations Group and 50th Mission Support Group.
50th OG operates assigned DOD satellite systems, trains space operations crews, and provides operational support and evaluation functions for management of satellite operations centers and assigned ground stations. The group is composed of five active-duty and two Reserve squadrons, as well as one Air National Guard squadron.
50th NOG commands and controls the AFSCN, manages and executes wing maintenance activities and provides communications-computer support for space operations missions and many other DOD, commercial and national missions. The group is composed of four squadrons, six detachments and the Program Management Office.
50th MSG provides security, civil engineering, fire, personnel, contracting, services and logistic readiness support to Schriever AFB. The group is composed of four squadrons, a flight and one division providing base support of the wing's sites worldwide.
HISTORY
The 50th SW and its predecessors trace their history back to 1941 when the 50th Pursuit Group activated at Selfridge Field, Mich. During World War II, the 50th served at a number of European bases from which crews flew fighter, escort and bombing missions. Crews of the 50th Fighter Group also participated in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. During the Cold War, the 50th served primarily at Hahn Air Base, Germany. Operating a number of weapons systems from the F-84 Thunderjet to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing (as it was then called) played a key role in America's defense.
From January to April 1991, the wing's aircrew flew "SCUD-busting" and airfield interdiction missions in support of Operation Desert Storm. The wing was renamed 50th SW and moved to Falcon AFB on Jan. 30, 1992, replacing the 2nd SW. On June 5, 1998, Falcon AFB was renamed Schriever AFB in honor of retired Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, who pioneered the development of the nation's ballistic missile programs and is recognized as "the father of the United States Air Force's space and missile program."
On March 20, 2003, United States forces initiated Operation Iraqi Freedom, leading a coalition of allied military units to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power and arrest him. The 50th Space Wing played a key role. Crews of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron (SOPS) developed new techniques for enhancing Global Positioning System accuracy over the Iraqi theater of operations and flew more than 1,000 satellite sorties between March 20 and April 10. Satellite crews of 3rd and 4th SOPS maximized satellite communications coverage of the theater, while 1st SOPS set a record, placing a GPS satellite in orbit and completing all early on-orbit checkout activities in only 11 days, while also flying 100 Defense Support Program satellite sorties and 300 GPS sorties in the first 20 days of combat.
3rd SOPS's Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III satellites provided 80 percent of in-theater bandwidth. Meanwhile, 4th SOPS dedicated 85 percent of MILSTAR communications capability to the war effort, flying 14,000 sorties in the first 20 days of operations. Personnel at the wing's remote tracking stations, including 21st and 23rd SOPS, logged 12,312 satellite contacts while also assisting with other satellite operations and three satellite launches.
(Current as of February 2008)
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