5th Space Warning Squadron explained

Unit Name:	5th Space Waring Squadron
Dates:	1992-1999, 2023-present
Country:	United States
Branch:	United States Space Force
Type:	Space Operations
Role:	Missile Warning
Current Commander:	Lt Col Robert Smith
Garrison:	Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
Motto:	Partnership for Peace
Decorations:	AFOUA

The United States Space Force's 5th Space Warning Squadron (5 SWS) is a missile warning unit located at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.

It used to be known as the 5th Joint Defense Space Communications Squadron.

Assignments

• 21st Operations Group, 15 May 1992-8 Jun 1995
• 21st Space Wing, 8 Jun 1995-10 Aug 1999
• 821st Space Group, 10 Aug 1999-12 Oct 1999
• Space Delta 4, 13 Oct 2023-present

Operations

From 1992 to 1999, the 5th Space Warning Squadron operated the only ground station in the Southern Hemisphere for the Defense Support Program, a space-based system that provides global missile warning.^[1]

Commanders

• Col John Harris, USAF, 1993–1995
• Col Henry W. Poburka, USAF, 12 Jul 1995-1997^[2]
• Unknown, 1997-1999
• Lt Col Michael A. Provencher, USSF, 13 Oct 2023-3 May 2024
• Lt Col Robert Smith, USSF, 3 May 2024-present^[3]

Station

• Woomera AS, Australia, 15 May 1992-12 Oct 1999
• Buckley SFB, Colorado, 13 Oct 2023-present

Decorations

• • • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 Jan 2000-31 Aug 2001^[4]
  • 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999^[5]
  • 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997^[6]
  • 1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994^[7]
  • 1 Sep 1989-31 Aug 1991^[8]
  • 2 May 1973 – 1 May 1976^[9]
  • 17 Nov 1971-1 May 1973^[10]

See also

• Defense Support Program
• 2d Space Warning Squadron
• 8th Space Warning Squadron
• 11th Space Warning Squadron

Notes and References

1. Book: Endicott . Judy G. . Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 . registration . Air Force Historical Research Agency . 1998 . 368-369 .
2. AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 Dec 1996)
3. https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/NEWS/Article-Display/Article/3769521/5-sws-change-of-command/
4. AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001
5. AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000
6. AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 Nov 1997
7. AFSPC Special Order GA-15, 1995
8. AFSPC Special Order GA-095, 1992
9. Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-161, 1977
10. Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-830, 1973