Space Delta 3 Explained

Unit Name:Space Delta 3
Country: United States
Type:Delta
Role:Space electromagnetic warfare
Size:350 personnel[1]
Garrison:Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, U.S.
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Commander1:Col Nicole M. Petrucci
Commander1 Label:Commander
Commander2:Lt Col John Kolb
Commander2 Label:Deputy Commander
Commander3:CMSgt Kevin R. Pfister[2]
Commander3 Label:Senior Enlisted Leader
Identification Symbol Label:Guidon

Space Delta 3 (DEL 3) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for presenting operational combat-ready space electromagnetic warfare forces in support of assigned missions.[3] It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base.[4] [5] [6] [7]

Activated on 24 July 2020, it replaced the former 21st Space Wing's 721st Operations Group upon establishment.[8] The 721st Operations Group was activated on 10 October 2019 partly by realigning units from the former 21st Operations Group to focus securing the electromagnetic spectrum for national security space operations.[9]

History

On 1 January 1967 the 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing, joined the 71st Surveillance Wing as one of the two wings in Air Defense Command's 9th Aerospace Defense Division, which was responsible for the Air Force's contribution to the defense of North America to space oriented attack. It was first organized at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado. The 71st Wing, which was soon renamed the 71st Missile Warning Wing,[10] was responsible for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, while the 73rd focused on space based systems. The wing's operational elements were the 16th Surveillance Squadron at Shemya Air Force Station, Alaska,[11] the 17th Surveillance Squadron at Moorestown Air Force Station, New Jersey,[12] the 18th Surveillance Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California. the 19th Surveillance Squadron at Pirinclik Air Station, Turkey[13] and the 20th Surveillance Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, all organized the same day as the wing. Like the wing, the component squadrons were to be activated as "aerospace" surveillance squadrons. However, on 3 January 1967, the decision was made to retroactively drop the "aerospace" from the squadron names.[14] Sensor operations included the Spacetrack System.[12] The wing was inactivated in April 1971.

The 73rd was reactivated on 1 March 1989 as the 73d Space Surveillance Group. On 1 October 1992, Detachment 3 at Misawa Air Base, Japan (which had been added on 1 January 1991) was expanded to form the 3rd Space Surveillance Squadron.[15] Its last assignment was with Fourteenth Air Force, being stationed at Falcon Air Force Base, Colorado. It was inactivated on 26 April 1995.

The Group performed space surveillance. In April 1995 the 73d Space Surveillance Group merged with the 21st Space Wing. From that point the 21st became the largest wing in the United States Air Force with units deployed throughout the world.

In December 2021, DEL 3 was awarded as the best delta in Space Operations Command.[16] The delta's three operational units were redesignated as electromagnetic warfare squadrons on April 15, 2022.[17]

In September 2023, General B. Chance Saltzman introduced the integrated mission delta (IMD) construct which combines different functions, like operations, training, intelligence, and cyber effects, into specific mission areas, including space electromagnetic warfare. DEL 3 was one of two initial units announced to test the construct. These IMDs mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense.[18] [19] In October 2023, the 23rd Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron was activated.

Structure

DEL 3 is a component of Space Operations Command, one of eight deltas aligned under the field command. It is composed of the 3rd Combat Training Squadron, which provides advanced training to the delta's members, and three operational units, the 4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, and 16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron. It is also augmented by four Air National Guard units, the 114th Space Control Squadron, 138th Space Control Squadron, 216th Space Control Squadron, and 293rd Space Control Squadron, and the Air Force Reserve's 380th Space Control Squadron[20]

It plans to add a defensive space electronic unit in Guam.[20]

Emblem Name[21] FunctionHeadquarters
Squadrons
3rd Combat Training Squadron (3 CTS) Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (4 EWS) Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (5 EWS) Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (16 EWS) Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
23rd Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (23 EWS)[22] Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron (ISRS (P))

Lineage

Organized on 1 January 1967[23]

Inactivated on 30 April 1971[23]

Activated on 1 March 1989

Redesignated 73d Space Wing on 1 June 1991

Redesignated 73d Space Group on 1 May 1992

Inactivated on 26 April 1995

Assignments

Stations

Components 1967-1995

Detachments

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Space Delta 3 focuses on electromagnetic spectrum. United States Space Command. 16 June 2021. 24 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195611/https://www.spacecom.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2506638/space-delta-3-focuses-on-electromagnetic-spectrum/. live.
  2. https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3830845/kevin-r-pfister/
  3. Web site: Space Delta 3 . 2022-04-20 . www.peterson.spaceforce.mil . 8 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220408033712/https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/SpOC-Deltas/Space-Delta-3/ . live .
  4. Web site: Space Delta 3 Fact Sheet. 24 July 2020. Peterson Air Force Base. 24 July 2020. 24 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200724203840/https://www.peterson.af.mil/Portals/15/Delta3_factsheet.pdf. live.
  5. Web site: 2020-07-24. Space Force reorganizes former Air Force space wings into "Deltas" and "Garrisons". 2020-07-25. SpaceNews. en-US. 26 July 2020. https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20200726174101/https://spacenews.com/space-force-reorganizes-former-air-force-space-wings-into-deltas-and-garrisons/. live.
  6. Web site: Space Delta 3. 2020-07-25. www.peterson.af.mil. 25 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200725044522/https://www.peterson.af.mil/Units/SPACE-DELTA-3/. live.
  7. Web site: 2020-07-24. Space Force Announces Significant Reorganization. 2020-07-25. Air Force Magazine. en-US. 11 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811195538/https://www.airforcemag.com/space-force-organizations-take-shape-as-selection-boards-meet/. live.
  8. Web site: Peterson-Schriever Garrison | USSF | Peterson Air Force Base. www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. 9 November 2020. 9 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109120338/https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/. live.
  9. Web site: 721st OG activated as USAF realigns to 'Protect and Defend' U.S. Space Capabilities. Peterson Air Force Base. 20 June 2021. 24 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202736/https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/1991753/721st-og-activated-as-usaf-realigns-to-protect-and-defend-us-space-capabilities/. live.
  10. Ravenstein, p. 111
  11. Web site: Factsheet 16 Space Control Squadron (AFSPC). Robertson. Patsy. 13 July 2009. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 May 2021.
  12. Web site: Factsheet 17 Expeditionary Space Control Squadron (AFSPC). Robertson. Patsy. 8 February 2010. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 May 2021. 9 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509194548/https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432875/17-expeditionary-space-control-squadron-afspc/. live.
  13. Web site: Factsheet 19 Space Operations Squadron (AFRC). Haulman. Daniel L.. 28 December 2010. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 May 2021.
  14. Cornett & Johnson, pp. 149-150.
  15. Web site: Factsheet 3 Space Experimentation Squadron (AFSPC). Butler. William M.. 17 December 2015. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 May 2021.
  16. Web site: DEL 3 receives "Best Mission Delta". Space Operations Command (SpOC). 23 April 2022. 21 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211221203713/https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2877981/del-3-receives-best-mission-delta. live.
  17. Web site: 4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation. Peterson Space Force Base. 23 April 2022. 23 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220423053405/https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/3003331/4th-5th-and-16th-spcs-re-designation/. live.
  18. Web site: Space Force announces Integrated Mission Delta construct to optimize for Great Power Compe. 12 September 2023. United States Space Force.
  19. Web site: WORLD: Space. Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  20. Web site: DEL 3 updates focus and priorities. 23 April 2022. 14 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220314164709/https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2878042/del-3-updates-focus-and-priorities. live.
  21. Web site: Space Delta 3. www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. 15 December 2020. 10 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201110034924/https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/Units/Space-Delta-3/. live.
  22. Web site: Space Delta 3 activates 23d Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron. 27 October 2023. Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base. 1 November 2023. 1 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231101073124/https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/News/Display/Article/3571455/space-delta-3-activates-23d-electromagnetic-warfare-squadron/. live.
  23. Cornett & Johnson, p. 62.
  24. Web site: Factsheet Air Force Space Command (USAF). Bailey. Carl E.. 24 July 2008. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 May 2021.
  25. Mueller, p. 565
  26. Web site: Factsheet 1 Space Control Squadron (AFSPC). Haulman. Daniel L.. 15 April 2008. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 9 May 2021.
  27. Air Force Historical Research Agency: Supplement to 73d Space Group Lineage and Honors, 1 November 2009

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