2nd Space Operations Squadron

The 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for operating the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellation, which provides global navigation, time transfer, and nuclear detonation detection. It is a component of Space Operations Command's Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Integrated Mission Delta (Provisional) and headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.

2nd Space Operations Squadron
Squadron emblem
Active1962–1967; 1985–present
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
RoleGlobal Positioning System Control
Part of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
Integrated Mission Delta (Provisional)
Garrison/HQSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Motto(s)Pathways for Peace (1988-present)
Engagements
Global War on Terrorism
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Robert O. Wray
Notable
commanders		DeAnna Burt
Insignia
Former 2nd Space Operations Squadron emblem
2d Satellite Control Squadron emblem (approved 6 May 1988)[2][3]

The squadron is augmented by reserve personnel from the 19th Space Operations Squadron, part of the 310th Space Wing.

Mission

The squadron performs the command and control mission for the Global Positioning System satellite constellation. GPS is the world's premiere space-based position, velocity and timing system, capable of providing precision navigation and timing capability simultaneously to an unlimited number of properly equipped users. Continuous GPS availability and unprecedented signal accuracy has resulted in widespread integration of the technology; numerous military, commercial and international users have embraced GPS.[4]

History

The squadron was originally constituted as the 2d Surveillance Squadron and activated on 16 January 1962 under North American Air Defense Command. It was then organized on 1 February 1962 at Ent Air Force Base under the 9th Aerospace Defense Division, under which it operated SPACETRACK, the USAF globe-spanning space surveillance network, from 1962 through 1967. The squadron was inactivated on 1 January 1967.

It was redesignated the 2d Satellite Control Squadron as the first operational squadron of the 2d Space Wing. It was activated at Falcon Air Force Station on 1 October 1985.

The squadron has controlled the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite constellation and managed the Nuclear Detonation System in support of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty since 1987.

On 30 January 1992, as part of an Air Force reorganization, 2 SCS was redesignated the 2d Space Operations Squadron.

On June 18, 2004, a 24/7 user focal point, the GPSOC, was established.

In late 2005, several National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency monitor stations were integrated into the network to improve navigation accuracy and signal monitoring.

The unit had one geographically separated unit, Detachment 1, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. It was responsible for maintenance of a GPS Ground Antenna, Monitor Station, and various operational test assets. It is now discontinued, though contractors remained to perform the mission.[5][6]

Lineage
  • Constituted as the 2d Surveillance Squadron (Sensor) and activated, on 16 January 1962 (not organized)
Organized on 1 February 1962
Discontinued and inactivated on 1 January 1967
  • Redesignated 2d Satellite Control Squadron on 16 Jul 1985
Activated on 1 October 1985
Redesignated 2d Space Operations Squadron on 30 Jan 1992[1]

Assignments

Stations
  • Ent Air Force Base, Colorado, 1 February 1962 – 1 January 1967
  • Falcon Air Force Station (later Falcon Air Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base), Colorado, 1 October 1985 – present[1]

Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • 1 June 1964 – 31 May 1966
  • 1 December 1987 – 30 November 1989
  • 1 September 1990 – 31 August 1991

List of commanders
Squadron change of command June 1, 2018
  • Lt Col Steven C. Stadler, October 1985 – April 1988[1]
  • Lt Col Barry R. Springer, April 1988 – April 1989
  • Lt Col Michael E. Shaw, April 1989 – August 1990
  • Lt Col William L. Shelton, August 1990 – June 1992
  • Lt Col Harrison C. Freer, June 1992 – June 1994
  • Lt Col Frank M. DeArmond, June 1994 – January 1995
  • Maj Thomas A. Shircliff, January 1995 – March 1995
  • Lt Col Roger C. Hunter, March 1995 – October 1996
  • Lt Col Joseph P. Squatrito, October 1996 – July 1998
  • Lt Col James K. McLaughlin, July 1998 – June 2000
  • Lt Col Daniel P. Jordan, June 2000 – July 2002
  • Lt Col Scott A. Henderson, July 2002 – July 2004[8]
  • Lt Col Stephen T. Hamilton, July 2004 – uly 2006
  • Lt Col Kurt W. Kuntzleman, July 2006 – August 2008[9]
  • Lt Col DeAnna M. Burt, August 2008 – August 2010[9]
  • Lt Col Jennifer L. Grant, August 2010 – June 2012[10]
  • Lt Col Thomas Ste. Marie, June 2012 – July 2014[11]
  • Lt Col Todd Benson, July 2014 – June 2016[12]
  • Lt Col Peter C. Norsky, June 2016 – 1 June 2018[13]
  • Lt Col Stephen A. Toth, 1 June 2018 – June 2020[14]
  • Lt Col Michael K. Schriever, June 2020 – 6 July 2022
  • Lt Col Robert O. Wray, 6 July 2022 – present[15]

See also

References
Notes
    Citations
    1. Robertson, Patsy (December 1, 2008). "Factsheet 2 Space Operations Squadron (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
    2. "Approved insignia for: 2d Satellite Control Squadron". Picryl - Public Domain Media Search Engine. National Archives Catalog. April 1988. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
    3. Endicott, p. 332
    4. Graff, Garrett M. (June 26, 2018). "The New Arms Race Threatening to Explode in Space". Wired.
    5. Buchanan, Maj John (May 8, 2008). "Deactivation ends two decades of service on Cape Canaveral". 45th Space Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
    6. Staff writer, no byline (May 7, 2008). "2nd SOPS inactivates Det. 1". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
    7. "Space Force begins transition into field organizational structure".
    8. The Newsletter of the MIT Security Studies Program: "SSP Welcomes New Military Fellows", Oct 2004
    9. Martinez, SSG Daniel (August 5, 2008). "New 2nd SOPS commander returns to Schriever". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
    10. "New commander navigates GPS Squadron". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. August 20, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
    11. "2 SOPS Changes Command". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. July 23, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
    12. "2 SOPS Changes Command". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. July 23, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
    13. DeWitt, Christopher (June 28, 2016). "2 SOPS changes command". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
    14. "180601-F-WR604-0032".
    15. "2nd Space Operations Squadron Change of Command".

    Bibliography

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