U.S. Space Force missile warning and tracking unit
Military unit
Mission Delta 4 (MD4 ) is aUnited States Space Force unit responsible for providing strategic and theater missile warning and tracking to the United States and its international partners. It operates three constellations of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites and two types of Ground-Based Radars (GBRs) for the purpose of conducting strategic and theater missile warning and tracking. Additionally, DEL 4 providestipping and cueing to missile defense forces, battlespace awareness to combatant commanders and technical intelligence for further analysis and manages weapon system architectures and ensures operations are intelligence-led, cyber-resilient, and driven by innovation, while postured to operate in a contested, degraded, and operationally-limited environment.[ 5] [ 6]
Activated on 24 July 2020, the delta is headquartered atBuckley Space Force Base ,Colorado .[ 5] [ 7] On 31 October 2024 it was redesignated Mission Delta 4 and gained sustainment responsibilities, along with organic cyber defense and intelligence forces.[ 8]
DEL 4 was based on the previous 460th Operations Group,460th Space Wing and21st Operations Group ,21st Space Wing .[ 9] [ 10]
In lineage terms, the delta was originally established as 460 Operations Group (460 SW) on 2 August 2004.[ 11] It was activated on 19 August 2004. It was redesignated as Space Delta 4 on 24 July 2020. Its status changed officially from a unit of the United States Air Force to a unit of the United States Space Force on 21 October 2020.
In 2023, Space Delta 4 assumed control of the U.S. Army'sJoint Tactical Ground Station .[ 6] On 31 October 2024 it was redesignated Mission Delta 4 and gained sustainment responsibilities, along with organic cyber defense and intelligence forces.[ 8]
Emblem Name Function Headquarters Spacecraft and ground-based radars Detachments Squadrons 2nd Space Warning Squadron Missile warning ,missile defense ,battlespace awareness , andtechnical intelligence [ 12] Buckley Space Force Base , ColoradoDefense Support Program Space Based Infrared System 3rd Satellite Communications Squadron [ 13] Military communications [ 12] Buckley Space Force Base , Colorado5th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning andspace domain awareness [ 12] Buckley Space Force Base , ColoradoJoint Tactical Ground Station Det 1:Naval Air Station Sigonella ,Italy [ 14] Det 2:Qatar [ a] [ 16] Det 3:Osan Air Base ,South Korea [ 17] Det 4:Misawa Air Base ,Japan [ 18] 6th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning andspace domain awareness [ 12] Cape Cod Space Force Station , MassachusettsAN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar 7th Space Warning Squadron Missile Defense andspace domain awareness [ 12] Beale Air Force Base , CaliforniaAN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar Long Range Discrimination Radar 10th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning andspace domain awareness [ 12] Cavalier Space Force Station , North DakotaAN/FPQ-16 Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System 11th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning ,missile defense ,battlespace awareness , andtechnical intelligence [ 12] Buckley Space Force Base , ColoradoDefense Support Program Space Based Infrared System 12th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning andspace domain awareness [ 12] Pituffik Space Base , GreenlandAN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar 13th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning ,missile defense , andspace domain awareness [ 12] Clear Space Force Station , AlaskaAN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar AN/FPS-108 Cobra Dane (Operating Location)Long Range Discrimination Radar Operating Location:Eareckson Air Station , Alaska Operating locations Operating Location – Fylingdales Missile warning andspace domain awareness [ 12] RAF Fylingdales , United KingdomAN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar
No. Commander Term Ref Portrait Name Took office Left office Duration 1 Bourquin, Richard L. ColonelRichard L. Bourquin 24 July 2020 15 July 2021 356 days[ 19] 2 Cruz, Miguel A. ColonelMiguel A. Cruz 15 July 2021 21 July 2023 2 years, 6 days[ 1] [ 20] 3 Schmitt, Ernest R. ColonelErnest R. Schmitt 21 July 2023 16 July 2025 1 year, 360 days[ 21] [ 22] 4 Cochran, Aaron L. ColonelAaron L. Cochran 16 July 2025 Incumbent 130 days[ 23]
^ This detachment location is inferred based on the locations of the detachments of the 1st Space Company, 1st Space Battalion of the U.S. Army, of which there were four. This unit is what was absorbed by the Space Force to become the 5th Space Warning Squadron. This detachment was previously known as JTAGS-Qatar under the Army.[ 15] ^a b "CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT TAMMIE D. GAUDU" .www.buckley.spaceforce.mil .Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. RetrievedAugust 18, 2021 .^ "DEL 4 Motto" .Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. RetrievedJune 20, 2021 – via www.facebook.com.^ https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/4249317/randall-e-carlson-phd/ ^ "Chief Master Sergeant Kyle T. Mullen" .Buckley Space Force Base .^a b "Buckley Air Force Base Units" .Buckley Air Force Base . Archived fromthe original on July 24, 2020. RetrievedJuly 24, 2020 . This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain .^a b Harpley, Unshin (October 5, 2023)."Space Force Takes Over JTAGS Mission from the Army" .Air & Space Forces Magazine .Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. RetrievedOctober 7, 2023 . ^ "Buckley Air Force Base Biographies" .Buckley Air Force Base . Archived fromthe original on July 24, 2020. RetrievedJuly 24, 2020 . This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain .^a b George, Ashley D. (October 31, 2024)."Two DELs transition to fully-integrated Mission Deltas" .www.spoc.spaceforce.mil . RetrievedMarch 16, 2025 . ^ Space Force Organisations Take Shape Archived August 11, 2020, at theWayback Machine , July 24, 2020.^ "Space Delta 4 - Missile Warning" .Buckley Air Force Base .Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. RetrievedNovember 10, 2020 .^ "Space Delta 4 (SpOC)" .Air Force Historical Research Agency .Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. RetrievedJuly 11, 2023 .^a b c d e f g h i j "Space Delta 4 - Missile Warning" .Buckley Space Force Base .Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. RetrievedNovember 10, 2020 .^ "Space Delta 4" .www.facebook.com .Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 20, 2022 .^ Culbertson, Kelsey (November 9, 2023)."U.S. Space Force Detachment Activates in Italy" .DVIDS .Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. RetrievedNovember 27, 2023 . ^ Rognstad, Aaron (April 6, 2020)."JTAGS initial entry course teaches missile detection" .U.S. Army .Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. RetrievedNovember 27, 2023 . ^ Williams, Sarah (November 9, 2023)."5th Space Warning Squadron keeps eyes in the sky" .DVIDS .Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. RetrievedNovember 27, 2023 . ^ Gordnier, Trevor (November 17, 2023)."5th Space Warning Squadron Detachment 3 activates" .7th Air Force .Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. RetrievedNovember 27, 2023 . ^ Bolfing, Brieana (October 26, 2023)."JTAGS mission transfers from Army to Space Force" .5th Air Force .Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. RetrievedNovember 27, 2023 . ^ "COLONEL RICHARD L. BOURQUIN" .www.buckley.spaceforce.mil .Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. RetrievedJuly 10, 2021 .^ "DEL 4 receives new commander" .Buckley Space Force Base . July 15, 2021.Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. RetrievedJuly 16, 2021 .^ "Space Delta 4 welcomes new commander" .Buckley Space Force Base . July 21, 2023.Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. RetrievedJuly 22, 2023 .^ "Ernest R. "Bobby" Schmitt" .Buckley Space Force Base .^ https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/NEWS/Article/4248670/a-changing-of-the-guard-for-missile-warning-guardians/
Leadership
Structure
Field commands Component Field Commands Deltas Squadrons Direct reporting units
Locations
Space Force Bases Space Bases Space Force Stations
Personnel and training History and traditions