U.S. Space Force space electromagnetic warfare unit
Military unit
Space Delta 3 (DEL 3 ) is a
United States Space Force unit responsible for presenting operational combat-ready
space electromagnetic warfare forces in support of assigned missions.
[3] It is headquartered at
Peterson Space Force Base .
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
Activated on 24 July 2020, it replaced the former
21st Space Wing 's 721st Operations Group upon establishment.
[8] The 721st Operations Group was activated on 10 October 2019 partly by realigning units from the former
21st Operations Group to focus securing the electromagnetic spectrum for national security space operations.
[9]
History
On 1 January 1967 the 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing , joined the
71st Surveillance Wing as one of the two wings in
Air Defense Command 's
9th Aerospace Defense Division , which was responsible for the Air Force's contribution to the defense of North America to space oriented attack. It was first organized at
Ent Air Force Base , Colorado. The 71st Wing, which was soon renamed the 71st Missile Warning Wing,
[10] was responsible for the
Ballistic Missile Early Warning System , while the 73rd focused on space based systems. The
wing 's operational elements were the
16th Surveillance Squadron at
Shemya Air Force Station , Alaska,
[11] the
17th Surveillance Squadron at
Moorestown Air Force Station , New Jersey,
[12] the
18th Surveillance Squadron at
Edwards Air Force Base , California. the
19th Surveillance Squadron at
Pirinclik Air Station , Turkey
[13] and the
20th Surveillance Squadron at
Eglin Air Force Base , all organized the same day as the wing. Like the wing, the component squadrons were to be activated as "aerospace" surveillance squadrons. However, on 3 January 1967, the decision was made to retroactively drop the "aerospace" from the squadron names.
[14] Sensor operations included the
Spacetrack System.
[12] The wing was inactivated in April 1971.
The 73rd was reactivated on 1 March 1989 as the 73d Space Surveillance Group . On 1 October 1992, Detachment 3 at
Misawa Air Base , Japan (which had been added on 1 January 1991) was expanded to form the
3rd Space Surveillance Squadron .
[15] Its last assignment was with
Fourteenth Air Force , being stationed at
Falcon Air Force Base , Colorado. It was inactivated on 26 April 1995.
The Group performed space surveillance. In April 1995 the 73d Space Surveillance Group merged with the 21st Space Wing. From that point the 21st became the largest wing in the United States Air Force with units deployed throughout the world.
In December 2021, DEL 3 was awarded as the best delta in
Space Operations Command .
[16] The delta's three operational units were redesignated as electromagnetic warfare squadrons on April 15, 2022.
[17]
In September 2023, General
B. Chance Saltzman introduced the integrated mission delta (IMD) construct which combines different functions, like operations, training, intelligence, and cyber effects, into specific mission areas, including
space electromagnetic warfare . DEL 3 was one of two initial units announced to test the construct. These IMDs mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense.
[18]
[19] In October 2023, the
23rd Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron was activated.
[20]
Structure
DEL 3 is a component of
Space Operations Command , one of eight deltas aligned under the field command. It is composed of the
3rd Combat Training Squadron , which provides advanced training to the delta's members, and three operational units, the
4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron ,
5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron , and
16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron . It is also augmented by four
Air National Guard units, the
114th Space Control Squadron ,
138th Space Control Squadron ,
216th Space Control Squadron , and
293rd Space Control Squadron , and the
Air Force Reserve 's
380th Space Control Squadron
[21]
It plans to add a defensive space electronic unit in
Guam .
[21]
Emblem
Name
[22]
Function
Headquarters
Squadrons
3rd Combat Training Squadron (3 CTS)
Operational training and certification ,
tactics development ,
engineering support , and
crew force management
Peterson Space Force Base , Colorado
4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (4 EWS)
Space electronic warfare
Peterson Space Force Base , Colorado
5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (5 EWS)
Space electronic warfare
Peterson Space Force Base , Colorado
16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (16 EWS)
Space electronic warfare
Peterson Space Force Base , Colorado
23rd Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (23 EWS)
[20]
Space electronic warfare
Peterson Space Force Base , Colorado
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron (ISRS (P))
[20]
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
Lineage
Established as the 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing and activated on 1 November 1966
Organized on 1 January 1967
[23]
Inactivated on 30 April 1971
[23]
Redesignated 73d Space Surveillance Group on 10 February 1989
Activated on 1 March 1989
Redesignated 73d Space Wing on 1 June 1991
Redesignated 73d Space Group on 1 May 1992
Inactivated on 26 April 1995
Assignments
Stations
Components 1967-1995
1st Command and Control Squadron : 28 February 1992 – 24 June 1994
[26]
1st Deep Surveillance Squadron (later, 1st Surveillance Squadron,
1st Space Surveillance Squadron : 1 April 1989 – 26 April 1995
3rd Space Surveillance Squadron: 1 October 1992 – 26 April 1995
[15]
4th Surveillance Squadron (later 4th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 October 1990 – 26 April 1995
5th Surveillance Squadron (later 5th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 October 1990 – 26 April 1995
16th Surveillance Squadron (later 16th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 September 1991 – 1 October 1994
[11]
17th Surveillance Squadron (later 17th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 31 December 1969, 15 November 1993 – 26 April 1995
[12]
18th Surveillance Squadron (later 18th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 July 1991 – 26 April 1995
19th Surveillance Squadron (later 19th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 October 1991 – 26 April 1995
[13]
20th Surveillance Squadron (later 20th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 August 1991 – 26 April 1995
73d Operations Support Squadron: 15 May 1992 – 26 April 1995
73d Support Squadron (later 73d Mission Support Squadron): 15 May 1992 – 26 April 1995
Detachments
List of commanders
No.
Commander
Term
Ref
Portrait
Name
Took office
Left office
Duration
1 Thien, John G. ColonelJohn G. Thien 24 July 2020 31 July 2021 1 year, 7 days
[28]
2 Fernengel, Christopher A. ColonelChristopher A. Fernengel 31 July 2021 29 June 2023 1 year, 333 days
[29]
[30]
3 Petrucci, Nicole M. ColonelNicole M. Petrucci 29 June 2023 Incumbent 268 days
[31]
[32]
References
^
a
b
"Space Delta 3 focuses on electromagnetic spectrum" . United States Space Command .
Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021 .
^
"Alex Birkle" . Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base .
^
"Space Delta 3" . www.peterson.spaceforce.mil .
Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022 .
^
"Space Delta 3 Fact Sheet" (PDF) .
Peterson Air Force Base . 24 July 2020.
Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020 . This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
public domain .
^
"Space Force reorganizes former Air Force space wings into "Deltas" and "Garrisons" " . SpaceNews . 24 July 2020.
Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020 .
^
"Space Delta 3" . www.peterson.af.mil .
Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020 .
^
"Space Force Announces Significant Reorganization" . Air Force Magazine . 24 July 2020.
Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020 .
^
"Peterson-Schriever Garrison | USSF | Peterson Air Force Base" . www.peterson.spaceforce.mil .
Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020 .
^
"721st OG activated as USAF realigns to 'Protect and Defend' U.S. Space Capabilities" . Peterson Air Force Base .
Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021 .
^ Ravenstein, p. 111
^
a
b Robertson, Patsy (13 July 2009).
"Factsheet 16 Space Control Squadron (AFSPC)" . Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021 .
^
a
b
c Robertson, Patsy (8 February 2010).
"Factsheet 17 Expeditionary Space Control Squadron (AFSPC)" . Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021 .
^
a
b Haulman, Daniel L. (28 December 2010).
"Factsheet 19 Space Operations Squadron (AFRC)" . Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021 .
^ Cornett & Johnson, pp. 149-150.
^
a
b Butler, William M. (17 December 2015).
"Factsheet 3 Space Experimentation Squadron (AFSPC)" . Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021 .
^
"DEL 3 receives "Best Mission Delta" " . Space Operations Command (SpOC) .
Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2022 .
^
"4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation" . Peterson Space Force Base .
Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022 .
^
"Space Force announces Integrated Mission Delta construct to optimize for Great Power Compe" . United States Space Force . 12 September 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
public domain .
^
"WORLD: Space" . Air & Space Forces Magazine .
^
a
b
c
"Space Delta 3 activates 23d Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron" . Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base . 27 October 2023.
^
a
b
"DEL 3 updates focus and priorities" .
Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022 .
^
"Space Delta 3" . www.peterson.spaceforce.mil .
Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020 .
^
a
b
c
d
e Cornett & Johnson, p. 62.
^ Bailey, Carl E. (24 July 2008).
"Factsheet Air Force Space Command (USAF)" . Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021 .
^ Mueller, p. 565
^ Haulman, Daniel L. (15 April 2008).
"Factsheet 1 Space Control Squadron (AFSPC)" . Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021 .
^ Air Force Historical Research Agency: Supplement to 73d Space Group Lineage and Honors, 1 November 2009
^
"COLONEL JOHN G. THIEN" . www.peterson.spaceforce.mil . Archived from
the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021 .
^
"Space Delta 3 Changes Command" . 30 July 2021.
Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021 .
^
"COLONEL CHRISTOPHER A. FERNENGEL" . www.peterson.spaceforce.mil .
Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021 .
^
"Col. Nicole Petrucci assumes command of Delta 3" . Space Base Delta 1 . Retrieved 15 February 2024 .
^
"COLONEL NICOLE M. PETRUCCI" . Space Base Delta 1 . Retrieved 15 February 2024 .
Bibliography
This article incorporates
public domain material from the
Air Force Historical Research Agency
Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W. (1980).
A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946 - 1980 (PDF) . Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Retrieved 23 March 2012 .
Mueller, Robert (1989).
Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF) . Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.
ISBN
0-912799-53-6 . Retrieved 17 December 2016 .
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984).
Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF) . Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.
ISBN
0-912799-12-9 . Retrieved 17 December 2016 .
Information compiled by Daniel L. Haulman, Phd; Chief, Organizational Histories Branch; Air Force Historical Research Agency
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