5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron explained
| Unit Name: | 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron |
| Country: | United States |
| Type: | Space Electromagnetic Warfare |
| Command Structure: | Space Delta 3 |
| Garrison: | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
| Motto: | We plea the fifth! |
| Decorations: | AFOUA |
| Current Commander: | Lt Col Andy Wang |
| Notable Commanders: | John W. Raymond |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Emblem of the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron |
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.
Mission
The 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
The 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
- 5th Space Control Squadron (2019–2022)
- 5th Space Surveillance Squadron (1989–2003)
Bases stationed
List of commanders
- 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
- Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) (1989–2003)
- Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) (1989–2003)
See also
Decorations
-
- 1 January 1999 – 31 December 1999[12]
- 1 January 1998 – 31 December 1998[13]
- 1 October 1997 – 30 September 1999[14]
- 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1997[15]
Notes and References
- Book: Richelson, J. The US Intelligence Community, 4th Edition. 978-0-8133-6893-1. Richelson. Jeffrey. 4 February 1999. Avalon .
- Web site: 21st Space Wing [21st SW]]. www.globalsecurity.org.
- Web site: SeeSat-L Jan-96 : US Space Surveillance Network. www.satobs.org.
- Web site: 4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation .
- AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996)
- Web site: Official Biography of Colonel Amrine. https://web.archive.org/web/20071030050645/http://californiaspaceauthority.org/conference2007/bios/Amrine_John.pdf?bioID=9340. dead. October 30, 2007.
- Web site: Peterson-Schriever Garrison | USSF | Peterson Air Force Base. https://web.archive.org/web/20090116113833/http://www.peterson.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=10019. dead. January 16, 2009. www.peterson.spaceforce.mil.
- Web site: 721st OG activated as USAF realigns to 'Protect and Defend' U.S. Space Capabilities. www.peterson.spaceforce.mil.
- Web site: 4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation .
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-wang-596b0385/ Andy Wang LinkedIn Profile
- 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
