Mission Delta 31 Explained

Unit Name:Mission Delta 31
Type:Delta
Role:Navigation warfare
Garrison:Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Commander1:Col Andrew S. Menschner
Commander1 Label:Commander
Commander2 Label:Deputy Director
Commander3:CMSgt Joshua I. Griffin[1]
Commander3 Label:Senior Enlisted Leader

Mission Delta 31 (MD31) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for navigation warfare.[2] It was activated on 15 October 2024.

History

In September 2023, General B. Chance Saltzman introduced the Integrated Mission Delta (IMD) construct which combines functions, like operations, acquisitions, intelligence, and cyber effects, into specific mission areas, including positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). Mission Delta 31 (formerly PNT IMD (Provisional)) was one of two initial units announced to test the construct. These IMDs mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense.[3]

On 13 October 2023, PNT IMD (Provisional) was established at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, with Colonel Andrew S. Menschner as its first commander.[4] On 16 October 2023, the Logistics and Operations Support Squadron (Provisional) was activated to provide operations support services and modifications to all GPS satellite constellation fielded ground and satellite systems.[5] On 15 October 2024, Mission Delta 31 was activated at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

On 15 October the PND Delta (Provisional) was redesignated Mission Delta 31.[6]

Structure

EmblemNameFunctionHeadquartersEquipment
2nd Navigation Warfare Squadron (2 NWS) Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS)
31st Capabilities Development Squadron[7] Software Engineering and Ground EquipmentLos Angeles Air Force Base, California Next Generation Operational Control Segment (OCX)
Spacecraft Transport Logistics, Launch, and Early Orbit Checkout Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
31st Sustainment Squadron Logistics and Product Support Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JOSHUA I. GRIFFIN. Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base.
  2. https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3952582/two-dels-transition-to-fully-integrated-mission-deltas
  3. Web site: Space Force announces Integrated Mission Delta construct to optimize for Great Power Compe. 12 September 2023. United States Space Force.
  4. Web site: SpOC launches Space Force’s first two IMD betas. 16 October 2023. Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base.
  5. https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/3580690/logistics-and-operations-support-squadron-provisional/
  6. https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3937161/pnt-delta-redesignated-as-mission-delta-31/
  7. Web site: Archived copy . December 12, 2023 . December 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209001342/https://www.gps.gov/governance/advisory/meetings/2023-12/menschner.pdf . live .