4th Space Control Squadron

Mission

The 4th Space Control Squadron is an Air Force Space Command unit responsible for delivering defensive and offensive counterspace and space situational awareness, as appropriate, to rapidly achieve flexible and versatile effects in support of global and theater campaigns.

The squadron provides combat space superiority effects to the Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, and theater Combatant Commanders through operation of the Counter Communications System.

History

The unit initially activated at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in October 1990 as the 4th Surveillance Squadron, when it replaced Detachment 2, of the 694th Electronic Security Wing and assumed its personnel and equipment.

The Low Altitude Space Surveillance system (LASS) was activated by Air Force Space Command in October 1990. The unit was named the 4th Surveillance Squadron. One year later, it was redesignated as the 4th Space Surveillance Squadron. During this time, the unit continued to perform a research and development mission and a mission to train newly assigned LASS operators until April 1993. The 4th SPSS also performed mobile space surveillance communications and space data relay.

The squadron was assigned to the 73d Space Surveillance Group and in April 1995 merged with the 21st Space Wing. In April 1996, the unit moved operations from its home at Lackland AFB, Texas, to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, its present location. The unit was redesignated as the 4th Space Control Squadron in February 2003. The 4th transitioned to a counterspace mission in July 2005, and activated its first Counter Communications System on 11 April 2006.

From late 2002 until May 2003 the squadron deployed 56 members to support Operation Iraqi Freedom to provide data relay and other space communications for theater commanders.

Squadron members deployed to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron along with other 21st Space Wing units to support Operation Silent Sentry and the Rapid Attack Identification Detection and Reporting System (RAIDRS) in Southwest Asia. Formerly known as the SATCOM Interference Response System (SIRS), Silent Sentry began simply as a proof of concept but grew into a fully operational system that supported the Combined Air and Space Operations Center's ability to command and control its forces. The system was Air Force Space Command's first deployable defensive counterspace weapon system. Their efforts earned them the 2006 Air Force Association Citation of Honor for "outstanding contribution of an organization to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind."

Lineage

Constituted as the 4th Surveillance Squadron on 26 September 1990

Activated on 1 October 1990

Redesignated 4th Space Surveillance Squadron on 15 May 1992

Redesignated 4th Space Control Squadron on 1 March 2003

Assignments

73d Space Surveillance Group (later 73 Space Group), 1 October 1990

21st Operations Group, 26 April 1995 – present

Stations

Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, 1 October 1990

Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, 16 April 1996

Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, July 2014 – present

Commanders

Lt Col Scott D. Brodeur (2012–Present)

Lt Col E. Marcus Caughey (2010- 2012)

Lt Col Carl M. Jones (2008-2010)

Lt Col Daniel A. Dant (2006-2008)

Lt Col Fred W. Gaudlip (2004–2006)

Lt Col James Wolf (circa 2002–2004)

Lt Col Stephen M. Tanous (2000–2002)

Lt Col Jonathan Watkins (1998–2000)

Lt Col Cameron Bowser (1996–1998)

Lt Col James G. Lee (circa 1996)

Systems Operated

Counter Communications System (2006–Present)

Low Altitude Space Surveillance System (1986–2006)

Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

1 January 1999 – 31 December 1999 1 January 2000 – 31 August 2001 1 October 2005 – 30 September 2007