Active 1992 – present Allegiance Colorado Type Squadron | Country United States Branch Air National Guard Role Space Communications | |
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The 137th Space Warning Squadron (137 SWS) is a unit of the Colorado Air National Guard located at Greeley Air National Guard Station, Greeley. The 137th SWS provides immediate, worldwide missile warning, space launch and detection in the event of an attack against the United States. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Space Command.
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Overview
The 233d Space Group employs the Air Force's only strategic survivable, mobile ground system (MGS) to receive early warning data. The 233d provides endurable missile warning detection to the National Command Authority and has the ability to survive and operate through all phases of trans/post attack. In addition, the satellites provide immediate, worldwide missile warning, space launch, and nuclear detonation detection.
History
The history of the 137 SWS is not so much in the unit designation, but in the equipment operated. The 137th Space Warning Squadron activated 1 October 1995, assuming the mission of the 4th Space Warning Squadron (4 SWS), Holloman AFB, New Mexico.
Mobile DSP Communications
The mobile Defense Support Program (DSP) communication mission began on 1 October 1983, as the 1025th Communications Squadron (Mobile). The 1025 CS spent its first three years testing the new mobile satellite communications equipment and training its people. On 1 November 1985, administrative operations were transferred to the 1st Space Wing, part of the newly formed Air Force Space Command. The 1025th Space Communications Squadron was redesignated as the 4th Satellite Communications Squadron on 1 August 1986. During an Air Force-wide reorganization, the 1st Space Wing and the 3d Space Wing were inactivated, and their assets merged into the newly renamed 21st Space Wing, at Peterson AFB, Colorado. The unit was renamed the 4th Space Communications Squadron. Finally, on 1 October 1992, the 4th SCS's mission was declassified. When the duties of the 4th SWS transferred to other space projects, the mobile DSP mission was transferred to the newly formed 137th Space Warning Squadron, activated in 1995.