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4th Space Operations Squadron
Squadron emblem
Active	1941–1946; 1947–1949; 1952–1958; 1992–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Space Force
Role	Satellite Operations
Part of	Space Delta 8
Garrison/HQ	Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Motto	Linking the Forces (since 1994)[1]
Engagements	American Theater Southwest Pacific Theater (Air & China Offensive)[1] Globalwar on terrorism
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col Jeremy D. Haines
Notable commanders	John E. Shaw
Insignia
4th Space Operations Squadron(in use until transfer to the Space Force)
4th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron emblem(approved 20 January 1956)[2]
4th Photographic Mapping Squadron emblem(approved 14 July 1943)[2]

TheUnited States Space Force's4th Space Operations Squadron (4 SOPS) is asatellite operations unit located atSchriever Space Force Base,Colorado. 4 SOPS is part ofSpace Delta 8 and responsible for command and control of theMilstar/Advanced Extremely High Frequency,Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III, andWideband Global SATCOMsatellite constellations. The 4th Space Operations Squadron's mission is to operate the Space Force's protected and wideband MILSATCOM systems. They provide warfighters global, secure, survivable, strategic and tactical communication during peacetime and throughout the full spectrum of conflict. The squadron also operates three mobile constellation control stations at various locations in conjunction with host partners. At higher readiness levels and during exercises, these personnel deploy with U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Northern Command respectively.

Additionally, they provide reliable space-borne communications to national authorities, U.S. and Allied forces. The 4 SOPS' motto "Linking the Forces" reflects the squadron's responsibility to enhance the nation's secure andwideband communications capability for today's military forces. Command and control of satellites is provided through dedicated Extremely High Frequency antennas and theSatellite Control Network.

The multi-satellite constellation links command authorities to high-priority U.S. forces via communications terminals on aircraft, ships, submarines, trucks, and ground sites with encrypted voice, data, teletype, or facsimile communications. They also provide secure high-rate data communications links to the President, Secretary of Defense, theater commanders and strategic and tactical forces worldwide.^[3]

Established under the1st Photographic Group in May 1941. Performed aerial mapping primarily over the southwestern United States prior to thePearl Harbor Attack usingBeechcraft F-2 Expeditor variants of the Beechcraft Model 18 which were equipped for the reconnaissance role.

After the United States entry into World War II, flew aerial mapping missions over Western Canada and Alaska, mapping uncharted territory to support the building of theAlaska Highway. Deployed to South America in 1942–1943; mapping locations in British Guiana and Brazil for locations of emergency airfields as part of the development of the South Atlantic Transport Route.

Attached to13th Air Force in late 1944; engaged in long-range mapping and reconnaissance over combat areas in support of seaborne landings in theSouthwest Pacific Area and theliberation of the Philippines. Remained in the Pacific Theater afterV-J Day performing reconnaissance mapping flights over Japan, Korea, and China. Unit largely demobilized on Okinawa. Inactivated in early 1946.

Active from 1947 to 1949 atNiagara Falls Municipal Airport as areserve unit. Apparently not fully staffed or equipped.^[1]

Reactivated in 1952 as part ofStrategic Air Command. Mission was to gather intelligence on a global scale. The squadron operatedBoeing RB-47 Stratojet medium bombers refitted for aerial reconnaissance and mapping missions. Flew day and night strategic reconnaissance missions over a global scale. Inactivated due to budget reductions in 1958.

Activated atFalcon Air Force Station, Colorado in 1992 as a space unit.^[1] Four SOPS transferred to theUnited States Space Force on July 24, 2020, and became part ofSpace Delta 8.^[4]

• Constituted as the4th Photographic Squadron on 15 May 1941

Activated on 10 June 1941

Redesignated4th Mapping Squadron on 13 January 1942

Redesignated4th Photographic Mapping Squadron on 9 June 1942

Redesignated4th Photographic Charting Squadron on 11 August 1943

Redesignated4th Reconnaissance Squadron, Long Range, Photographic on 15 June 1945

Redesignated4th Reconnaissance Squadron, Very Long Range, Photographic on 20 November 1945

Inactivated on 14 April 1946

• Redesignated4th Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic on 5 September 1947

Activated in the reserve on 20 September 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Redesignated4th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium on 9 May 1952

Activated on 28 May 1952

Inactivated on 1 July 1958

• Redesignated4th Space Operations Squadron on 1 April 1992

Activated on 30 April 1992^[1]

• Beechcraft F-2 Expeditor, 1941–1942
• A-29 Hudson, 1942
• B-34 Lexington, 1943–1944
• B-24/F7 Liberator, 1943–1946
• Unknown, 1947–1949
• Boeing YRB-47 Stratojet, 1953–1958
• Boeing RB-47 Stratojet, 1953–1958
• BoeingB-47 Stratojet, 1953–1958
• Satellites, 1992–present

• Lt Col Charles Thompson, March 1992 – June 1993
• Lt Col Kimber McKenzie, June 1993 – January 1995
• Lt Col Michael Mantz, January 1995 – August 1996
• Lt Col Philip Fitzjarrell, August 1996 – March 1999
• Lt Col Allan Kirkman, March 1999 – February 2001
• Lt ColRoger Teague, February 2001 – June 2003
• Lt ColRonald L. Huntley, June 2003 – June 2005
• Lt ColJohn E. Shaw, June 2005 – June 2007
• Lt Col Tommy Roberts, June 2007 – June 2009
• Lt ColDouglas A. Schiess, 19 June 2009 – June 2011^[5]
• Lt Col Scott Trinrud, 24 June 2011 – June 2013^[6]
• Lt Col Monte Munoz, 19 June 2013 – July 2015^[7]
• Lt Col Sherman Johns, July 2015 – July 2017
• Lt Col Armon Lansing, 13 July 2017 – July 2019^[8]
• Lt Col Timothy Ryan, July 2019 – 17 June 2021^[9]
• Lt Col Brian Dea, 17 June 2021 – 20 July 2023^[10]
• Lt Col Michelle L. Haines, 20 July 2023 – 11 July 2025^[11]
• Lt Col Jeremy D. Haines, 11 July 2025 - Present

 This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Endicott, Judy G. (1998).Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995(PDF). Air Force History and Museums Program. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.ASIN B000113MB2. Retrieved2 July 2014.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961].Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.ISBN 0-912799-02-1.LCCN 61060979. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969].Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.ISBN 0-405-12194-6.LCCN 70605402.OCLC 72556. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 August 2023. Retrieved17 December 2016.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984).Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved17 December 2016.

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