6th Space Warning Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 6th Space Warning Squadron is located at Cape Cod Air Force Station
, in Sandwich, Massachusetts
. It keeps watch for sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles launched toward North America. The squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space Wing
, Peterson Air Force Base
, Colorado
.
coasts for incoming sea–launched or intercontinental ballistic missiles using the PAVE PAWS
radar system. Also, the 6th is to determine the potential threat of the numbers and destination of incoming missiles; then report continuous information to the North American Aerospace Defense Command
, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Air Combat Command
, and NORTHCOM.
. The squadron also had a detachment at North Truro Air Force Station
from 1977 to 1985, when the station closed and operations at the accompanying radar dome were taken over by the Federal Aviation Administration
. The 2165th Communications Squadron was a separate tenant at CCAFS until 1986 when it was merged with the 6th SWS.
Cape Cod Air Force Station
Cape Cod Air Force Station is a US Air Force station located in the northwest corner of the Massachusetts Military Reservation, USA, on Flatrock Hill...
, in Sandwich, Massachusetts
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Sandwich is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,675 at the 2010 census. The Town Hall is located right next to the Dexter Grist Mill, in the historic district of town....
. It keeps watch for sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles launched toward North America. The squadron is a geographically separated unit of 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...
, Peterson Air Force Base
Peterson Air Force Base
Peterson Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located at Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States and it provides runways for the adjacent City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport under a shared joint civil-military airport arrangement...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
Mission
The mission of the 6th SWS is to observe United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
coasts for incoming sea–launched or intercontinental ballistic missiles using the PAVE PAWS
PAVE PAWS
PAVE PAWS is a United States Air Force Space Command radar system operated by three 21st Space Wing squadrons for missile warning and space surveillance. Operational PAVE PAWS radars are located at:...
radar system. Also, the 6th is to determine the potential threat of the numbers and destination of incoming missiles; then report continuous information to the North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
, and NORTHCOM.
History
The 6th Space Warning Squadron was founded at Cape Cod Missile Early Warning Station in August, 1977. It was the first squadron in the country to be equipped with PAVE PAWSPAVE PAWS
PAVE PAWS is a United States Air Force Space Command radar system operated by three 21st Space Wing squadrons for missile warning and space surveillance. Operational PAVE PAWS radars are located at:...
. The squadron also had a detachment at North Truro Air Force Station
North Truro Air Force Station
North Truro Air Force Station is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located east of North Truro, Massachusetts....
from 1977 to 1985, when the station closed and operations at the accompanying radar dome were taken over by the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
. The 2165th Communications Squadron was a separate tenant at CCAFS until 1986 when it was merged with the 6th SWS.
Previous Designations
- 6th Space Warning Squadron (??-Present)
- 6th Missile Warning Squadron (??-??)
Bases Stationed
- Cape Cod Air Force StationCape Cod Air Force StationCape Cod Air Force Station is a US Air Force station located in the northwest corner of the Massachusetts Military Reservation, USA, on Flatrock Hill...
, MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
(1977–Present)- North Truro Air Force StationNorth Truro Air Force StationNorth Truro Air Force Station is a closed United States Air Force General Surveillance Radar station. It is located east of North Truro, Massachusetts....
, MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
(1977–1985) (Detachment)
- North Truro Air Force Station
Decorations
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 Jan 1998-31 Dec 1998
- 1 Oct 1997-30 Sep 1999
- 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997