10th Space Warning Squadron
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 10th Space Warning Squadron (10 SWS), is a missile warning unit located at Cavalier AFS
, North Dakota
.
Space Surveillance Network (SSN).
The forerunner of the present day 10th SWS began passing tactical warning and attack assessment data to Cheyenne Mountain
, Colo., in January 1977. In December 1979 the unit was transferred from Aerospace Defense Command to Strategic Air Command.
The unit, as it exists today, joined Air Force Space Command in 1983 as Detachment 5, 1st Space Wing. On 10 Jul 1986, the unit was redesignated as the 10th Missile Warning Squadron, and was activated on 1 Aug 1986. It was renamed the 10th Space Warning Squadron on May 15, 1992, when the 1st Space Wing
and 3d Space Support Wing were inactivated and the 21st Space Wing
was activated.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 10th Space Warning Squadron (10 SWS), is a missile warning unit located at Cavalier AFS
Cavalier Air Force Station
Cavalier Air Force Station is a United States Air Force installation in Pembina County, North Dakota, home to the 10th Space Warning Squadron of the 21st Space Wing based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.-Mission:...
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
.
Mission
10 SWS provides tactical warning and attack assessment of sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles launched against the continental United States and southern Canada. Additionally, 10 SWS provides surveillance, tracking and space object identification for the USAFUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Space Surveillance Network (SSN).
History
The unit was originally the acquisition radar portion of the United States' only operational anti-ballistic missile system, known as SAFEGUARD. Due to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (SALT II), components of the SAFEGUARD complex, with the exception of the PARCS radar at Cavalier Air Force Station, were deactivated in February 1976.The forerunner of the present day 10th SWS began passing tactical warning and attack assessment data to Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain is a mountain located just outside the southwest side of Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S., and is home to the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and its Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, formerly known as the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center .Throughout the Cold War and...
, Colo., in January 1977. In December 1979 the unit was transferred from Aerospace Defense Command to Strategic Air Command.
The unit, as it exists today, joined Air Force Space Command in 1983 as Detachment 5, 1st Space Wing. On 10 Jul 1986, the unit was redesignated as the 10th Missile Warning Squadron, and was activated on 1 Aug 1986. It was renamed the 10th Space Warning Squadron on May 15, 1992, when the 1st Space Wing
1st Space Wing
The 1st Space Wing was a wing of the United States Air Force active from 1983 to 1992 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado as part of Air Force Space Command.-History:...
and 3d Space Support Wing were inactivated and the 21st Space Wing
21st Space Wing
The 21st Space Wing is a unit of the Air Force Space Command based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The unit is tasked with the operation of early missile warning and space object detection equipment around the world in support of NORAD and USSTRATCOM through a network of command and control...
was activated.
Previous Designations
- 10th Space Warning Squadron (15 May 1992–Present)
- 10th Missile Warning Squadron (10 Jul 1986-15 May 1992)
- Detachment 5, 1st Space Wing (1983-10 Jul 1986)
Major Command
- Air Force Space CommandAir Force Space CommandAir Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
(10 Jul 1983–Present) - Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
(1979–1983) - Aerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
(??-1979)
Commanders
- Lt Col Keith Balts
- Lt Col Ling Yung (circa 2005)
- Lt Col Donald T. Kidd (19 Aug 1996-???)
Decorations
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 Jan 1998-31 Dec 1998
- 1 Oct 1997-30 Sep 1999
- 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997
- 1 Oct 1988-30 Nov 1989