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 A space systems operator duringGlobal Positioning System operations | |
| Active | 1967-1997; 2000 – present |
|---|---|
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Space Operations |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Schriever AFB, Colorado |
| Motto | In Place-On Time-On Target |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 19th Space Operations Squadron(approved 15 December 1967)[1] |  |
The19th Space Operations Squadron is anAir Force Reserve space operations unit, located atSchriever Air Force Base, Colorado.
The19th Space Operations Squadron is a reserve associate unit with the 2nd Navigation Warfare Squadron (formerly2d Space Operations Squadron) of the50th Space Wing. It performs launch, early-orbit, anomaly resolution and disposal operations for theGlobal Positioning System. Thesquadron provides navigation, timing and nuclear detonation information to users worldwide. It supports daily operations while also maintaining a reserve force available formobilization.[2]
In October 1954, the US and Turkey began construction ofDyarbakir Air Station, Turkey. Construction began on a developmentalradar designated theAN/FPS-17, a state-of-the art radar (for the time) with a 175-foot-high antenna. The radar detected the first Soviet launch missile in June 1955 and the world's first man-made satellite, Sputnik-1, in its initial orbit on 4 October 1957. In 1964 the Air Force added the firstAN/FPS-79 tracking radar, with an 84-foot parabolic antenna, to provide accurate metric data on both missiles and satellites. If a new space object was sensed by the detection radar's fans, then the tracking radar could be oriented to achieve lock-on and tracking of the object. The radars were operated by the 6935th Radio Squadron, Mobile ofUSAF Security Service until 1964, when responsibility for the radars was transferred toAir Defense Command (ADC).[2]
ADC organized the19th Surveillance Squadron on 1 January 1967[1] to operate the Dyarbakir radars. The unit operated detection and tracking radar units to provide data on missile launches, deep space surveillance and tactical warning. The Diyabakir site closed on 27 July 1975 and was placed in caretaker status. During this time, the squadron did not conduct operations, but maintained the radar site in readiness for future operations. In October 1978, the radars were returned to operational status. By this time, ADC[note 1] had been disestablished and the squadron was an element ofStrategic Air Command, which had assumed ADC's space mission. The mission and squadron were again transferred when the Air Force establishedAir Force Space Command in 1987.[2]
During OperationDesert Storm the radar alerted American troops to incomingSCUD missiles. In 1992, the unit was redesignated the19th Space Surveillance Squadron.[1] The radars at what was now called Pirinclik Air Station functioned as a satellite monitor and launch and missile detection radar until theAN/FPS-17 radars were decommissioned in December 1995. TheAN/FPS-79 tracking radar operated until the site closed in 1997.[2]
The squadron was redesignated the19th Space Operations Squadron and activated in October 2000 atSchriever Air Force Base, Colorado in thereserve as an associate unit of the regular 2d Space Operations Squadron, operating the same equipment to manage the Global Positioning System alongside members of the 2d Squadron.[1][2]
| Award streamer | Award | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 15 June 1972 – 14 June 1973 | 19th Surveillance Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 May 1983 – 30 April 1984 | 19th Surveillance Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 September 1989 – 31 August 1991 | 19th Surveillance Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1997 | 19th Space Surveillance Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 October 2000 - 30 September 2002 | 19th Space Operations Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 October 2001 - 1 October 2002 | 19th Space Operations Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 October 2002 – 30 July 2004 | 19th Space Operations Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 August 2004 – 31 July 2006 | 19th Space Operations Squadron[1] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 August 2006 - 31 July 2008 | 19th Space Operations Squadron[1] |
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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