7th Space Operations Squadron

7th Space Operations Squadron

7th Space Operations Squadron emblem
Active 1993 – present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Space Operations
Role Augmenting Active Duty Space Missions
Part of 310th Space Wing (AFRES)
Garrison/HQ Schriever AFB, Colorado
Motto(s) FIRST FROM THE STARS
Decorations AFOUA

The United States Air Force's 7th Space Operations Squadron (7 SOPS) is an Air Force Reserve space operations unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado.[1][2]

Mission

Members of the 7th Space Operations Squadron check on the status of a satellite to ensure it is operating within normal parameters.

The 7th Space Operations Squadron operates the Multi-Mission Space Operations Center, a one-of-a-kind satellite operations center focused on rapidly fielding cutting-edge space technologies for warfighters.[3]

The previous mission for 7 SOPS was to augment space operation squadrons of the 50th Space Wing, specifically the 1st Space Operations Squadron.[4] These activities included satellite emergencies, launch and early orbit, and satellite disposal for the Global Positioning System and Defense Support Program satellites.[5] Up until 2007, 7 SOPS operated the Midcourse Space Experiment satellite, AFSPC's only space-based space surveillance asset and also performed booster launch operations mission, providing telemetry collection/data relay for Delta II launches.[6]

History[7]

The 7th Space Operations Squadron traces its lineage to the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron which was activated 28 January 1942, at MacDill Field, Tampa, FL. 15 May of that same year, it transferred to Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, CO. The squadron’s primary mission was to train men in the art of photo reconnaissance. While there it flew P-38s, F-4s and F-5s. In June 1942, their name was changed to the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron. In October 1943 the squadron moved to Will Rogers Field, OK.

In the 51 year heritage of the 7th, it has performed many roles from training pilots and technicians for photo reconnaissance to the 7th Liaison Squadron providing operations and logistical support for the Inter-American Geodetic Survey in the Panama Canal Zone. The 7th Special Operations Flight was inactivated in 1972 at Hurlburt Field, FL. The squadron was consolidated and redesignated the 27th Special Operations Squadron in 1985 but remained inactive until 7 SOPS was activated 18 March 1993, at Falcon (later, Schriever) AFB, becoming the first Reserve unit to augment Air Force Space Command.

Lineage[8]

Activated on 28 Jan 1942
Redesignated: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 9 Jun 1942
Redesignated: 7th Photographic Squadron (Light) on 6 Feb 1943
Redesignated: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943
Disbanded on 1 May 1944
Inactivated on 28 Mar 1949
Redesignated: 7th Liaison Squadron on 8 Sep 1952
Inactivated on 18 Jun 1954
Inactivated on 30 Apr 1974

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft & Spacecraft Operated

  • DSP (1993–2007)
  • GPS (1993–2007)
  • MSX (???-2008)[9][10]
  • UH-1 (1971–1974)
  • C-123 (1970–1973)
  • U-10 (1969–1971)
  • C-47 (1969–1970)
  • L-20 (1952–1954)
  • L-4 (1948–1949)
  • L-13 (1947–1948)
  • L-5 (1946–1952)
  • B-25/F-10 (1942–1944)
  • P-38/F-4 and F-5 (1942–1944)

Decorations

References

  1. ↑ Airman Magazine: "First in Space"
  2. ↑ Citizen Airman: "Reservists fight war on terrorism with satellites"
  3. ↑ Air Force Space Command News: "7th SOPS' mission takes new direction"
  4. ↑ Citizen Airman: "A leading role: reservists perform diverse missions in support of war"
  5. ↑ Air Force News: "Space units provide impact during OIF"
  6. ↑ SpaceWar.com: "GPS Operators Unveil New Early-Orbit, Anomaly Resolution System"
  7. ↑ PatriotFiles.com: 7th Space Operations Squadron History
  8. ↑ Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
  9. ↑ Air Force Factsheet: 310th Space Wing, dated March 2008
  10. ↑ SpaceMart: "APL-Operated Midcourse Space Experiment Ends," 22 Jul 2008

External links

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