| Unit Name: | 595th Command and Control Group |
| Dates: | 1970–1993; 2000–2013; 2016–present |
| Role: | Command and Control |
| Command Structure: | Air Force Global Strike Command |
| Garrison: | Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 595th Command and Control Group emblem (approved 5 December 2016)[1] |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 595th Space Group emblem (approved 7 September 2007)[2] |
The 595th Command and Control Group is an active unit of the United States Air Force. It is organized under Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), and its operations are centered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It was activated in a ceremony held on 6 October 2016.[3]
The mission of the 595th Command and Control Group is to consolidate the Air Force's portion of the nuclear triad, including Air Force nuclear command and control communications, under the auspices of Global Strike Command. Previously, portions of the Air Force's command and control of nuclear operations had been divided among AFGSC, Air Combat Command, and the Twentieth Air Force.
The 595th Command and Control Group is composed of four squadrons:[4]
The unit was first organized by Air Force Systems Command in May 1970 as the 6595 Missile Test Group. In early 1970s, the group conducted ground and flight tests of the Minuteman weapon system. It also launched and tested missile, space and aeronautical systems in support of Department of Defense programs.[2]
After the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986, the space program was grounded for 34 months until the launch of Space Transportation System-26 in September 1988. After 11 Sep 2001, the group examined vulnerabilities of US space facilities at home and abroad. The Air Force's Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities Program transferred national capabilities to operational commands. The group's Air Force Space Battlelab developed and field tested capabilities to increase productivity of operational commands. Its Aerospace Fusion Center supported space missile launches.[2]
The group supported Operation Iraqi Freedom through the application of space applications programs during 2003 and 2004.[2]
The Group now has a shared commander with the National Airborne Operations Center.
Redesignated 6595th Test and Evaluation Group on 1 January 1988
Inactivated on 14 September 1993
Activated on 7 April 2000
Redesignated 595th Space Group on 1 August 2002
Inactivated on 1 April 2013
Activated 1 October 2016[1]