The United States Space Force's 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (5 EWS) is a space electromagnetic warfare unit located at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
| 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Emblem of the 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron | |
| Country | United States |
| Branch |  United States Space Force |
| Type | Space Electromagnetic Warfare |
| Part of | Space Delta 3 |
| Garrison/HQ | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
| Motto(s) | We plea the fifth! |
| Decorations |  AFOUA |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Andy Wang |
| Notable commanders | John W. Raymond |
| Insignia | |
| Emblem of the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron |  |
Mission
editThe mission of the 5 EWS is to provide flexible and responsive space control capabilities to the Commander U.S. Space Command in order to protect and defend national security space capabilities.
History
editThe dual LASS/DSTS operation supported USAF space intelligence requirements, while being assisted by the 18th Intelligence Squadron's Det 4 for SIGINT support.[1] This coverage augmented worldwide coverage of space signals activities at similarly equipped sites at Misawa AB, Japan, Osan AB, Republic of Korea and at Griffiss AFB in the United States.[2]
The Deep Space Tracking System uses sensitive, highly accurate 20-foot dish antennas to detect and track S-band radio signals transmitted by radio beacons on most satellites. There were DSTS receivers located at Griffiss AFB, New York; RAF Feltwell, Great Britain; and Misawa AB, Japan.[3]
The 5 SSS was inactivated in 2003, with administration of RAF Feltwell transferred to Detachment 4, 18th Intelligence Squadron.
On 15 April 2022, the 5th Space Control Squadron was redesignated the 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron.[4]
Previous designations
edit- 5th Space Control Squadron (2019–2022)
- 5th Space Surveillance Squadron (1989–2003)
Bases stationed
edit- RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom (1989–2003)
List of commanders
edit- Lt Col Ronald P. Mitchell, 1 October 1990 – ???
- Lt Col James L. Burling, Jr., August 1994 – 28 September 1996
- Lt Col Steven R. Prebeck, 28 September 1996 – ???[5]
- Lt Col John Amrine, June 1999 – July 2000[6]
- Lt Col John W. Raymond, April 2000 – June 2001[7]
- Lt Col Susan Bedell, 10 October 2019 – June 2021[8]
- Lt Col Alexander Courtney, June 2021 – June 2023[9]
- Lt Col Andy Wang, June 2023 – present[10]
Equipment operated
edit- Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) (1989–2003)
- Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) (1989–2003)
See also
editDecorations
editReferences
edit- ^ Richelson, Jeffrey (4 February 1999). Richelson, J. The US Intelligence Community, 4th Edition. Avalon. ISBN 978-0-8133-6893-1.
- ^ "21st Space Wing [21st SW]". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ "SeeSat-L Jan-96 : US Space Surveillance Network". www.satobs.org.
- ^ "4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation".
- ^ AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996)
- ^ "Official Biography of Colonel Amrine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2007.
- ^ "Peterson-Schriever Garrison | USSF | Peterson Air Force Base". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009.
- ^ "721st OG activated as USAF realigns to 'Protect and Defend' U.S. Space Capabilities". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil.
- ^ "4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation".
- ^ Andy Wang LinkedIn Profile [user-generated source]
- ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001
- ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000
- ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-62, 6 December 1999
- ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-58, 6 December 1999
- ^ AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997