8th Space Warning Squadron
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 8th Space Warning Squadron (8 SWS) is an Air Force Reserve missile
warning unit located at Buckley AFB, Colorado
. 8 SWS works alongside its active duty counterpart, the 2d Space Warning Squadron
, on the DSP
and SBIRS programs.
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 8th Space Warning Squadron (8 SWS) is an Air Force Reserve missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
warning unit located at Buckley AFB, 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...
. 8 SWS works alongside its active duty counterpart, the 2d Space Warning Squadron
2d Space Warning Squadron
The 2d Space Warning Squadron Is part of the 460th Space Wing at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. It operates the Space-Based Infrared System satellites conducting global monitoring for significant infrared events.-Mission:...
, on the DSP
Defense Support Program
The Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
and SBIRS programs.
Previous designations
- 8th Space Warning Squadron (30 Jul 1999–Present)
- 8th Space Operations Squadron (22 Aug 1997-1 Oct 1998)
- 8th Space Warning and Surveillance Squadron (???)
- 8th Space Warning Squadron (15 May 1992-30 Sep 1995)
- 8th Missile Warning Squadron (26 Mar 1986-15 May 1992)
Bases stationed
- Buckley AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado 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...
- Schriever AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado 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...
(1997–1999) - Eldorado AFS, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(1986–1995)
Equipment Operated
- Space-based Infrared Satellite System (???-Present)
- DSPDefense Support ProgramThe Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
(1997–Present) - AN/FPS-115 PAVE PAWSPAVE PAWSPAVE 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:...
(1986–1995)
See also
- DSPDefense Support ProgramThe Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
- Space-based Infrared Satellite System
- 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....
- 14th Air Force
- 21st Space Wing21st Space WingThe 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...