17th Expeditionary Space Control Squadron explained

Unit Name:17th Expeditionary Space Control Squadron
Dates:1967–1969; 1971–1976; 1982–1989; 1993–1996; 2009–
Role:Space Surveillance
Command Structure:Air Force Space Command
Garrison:Peterson AFB
Motto:Eternal Vigilance
Decorations:Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Identification Symbol Label:17th Expeditionary Space Control Squadron emblem (approved 8 June 1995)
Identification Symbol 2 Label:17th Surveillance Squadron emblem (approved 18 September 1968) On a light blue disc bordered yellow, below an arc of six yellow stars, a blue sphere with axis bendwise and white grid lines, supporting a black radar unit emitting a yellow surveillance fan to dexter base, being penetrated by two arched yellow vapor trails, the topmost terminating at a red flight symbol below the arc of stars, the bottom trail terminating at a red and black satellite above the radar unit. Issuing from the radar unit to sinister shief, five yellow are [sic] rays tracking a red hexagon emitting a yellow arched vapor trail to dexter fess.

The United States Air Force's 17th Expeditionary Space Control Squadron is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force stationed at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

As the 17th Space Surveillance Squadron, the unit operated sensors for the Low-Altitude Surveillance System from RAF Feltwell.

History

The squadron was first organized at Moorestown, New Jersey as the 17th Surveillance Squadron. The 17th operated a radar sensor for the USAF Spacetrack System at Moorestown until it was inactivated in December 1969.[1]

The squadron was redesignated the 17th Radar Squadron and activated at Ko Kha Air Station, Thailand in September 1971. At Ko Kha, it tracked Chinese missile launches and southerly launches from the Soviet Union, until its inactivation in May 1976.[1]

The 17th returned to its original designation of 17th Surveillance Squadron and was activated at Naval Station San Miguel, Philippines on 1 August 1982. At San Miguel, the unit operated a radar sensor for the United States Space Surveillance Network. Its AN/GPS-10 radar reached initial operational capability in April of the following year and the squadron continued operating it until shortly before inactivating again in June 1989, when its radar was decommissioned and replaced by a radar at Saipan.[1] [2]

Reactivating again in October 1993 at RAF Edzell, Scotland as the 17th Space Surveillance Squadron, it operated sensors for the Low-Altitude Space Surveillance System, until its inactivation and the closure of RAF Edzell in 1996.[1] [3] With the inactivation of the 73rd Space Group and closure of RAF Edzell, Scotland, in October 1996, the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron, at RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom incorporated the squadron's mission.

In May 2009, the squadron was converted to provisional status as the 17th Expeditionary Space Control Squadron and assigned to Air Force Space Command to activate or inactivate as needed. Space Command immediately activated the squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.[1]

Lineage

Organized on 1 January 1967

Inactivated on 31 December 1969

Activated on 1 September 1971

Inactivated on 31 May 1976

Activated on 1 August 1982

Inactivated on 1 June 1989

Activated on 15 November 1993

Inactivated on 1 July 1996

Assignments

Attached to 21st Space Wing, 28 May 2009 – [1]

Stations

Decorations

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Factsheet 17th Expeditionary Space Control Squadron (AFSPC). Robertson. Patsy. 8 February 2010. Air Force Historical Research Agency. live . 2 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20161125122258/http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432875/17-expeditionary-space-control-squadron-afspc/ . 25 November 2016 .
  2. Muolo, p. 39
  3. Bryers, Keith, "Scotland's wartime airfields: Conflict and legacy" Scottish Geographical Journal, Volume 121, Issue 1 2005, pp. 45-65
  4. http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AwardsNet/SearchUnitAwards.aspx?Mode=Graphics Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)
  5. AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997