The 50th Network Operations Group (50 NOG) is a United States Air Force unit of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. 50th NOG is the single focal point for operating and maintaining the $8.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network and all 50 SW communications and computer systems (C-CS). Specific mission responsibilities are accomplished through the group's four squadrons, six detachments, and the Program Management Office.
Program Management Office
21st Space Operations Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base
22d Space Operations Squadron
23d Space Operations Squadron at New Boston Air Force Station
50th Space Communications Squadron
The group was first organized as the 1879th Communications Squadron during the Vietnam War in 1965. In 1971, as American participation in the Vietnam War was reduced and United States Air Force closed down its activities at Nha Trang Air Base, the squadron was moved to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri, where it absorbed the mission, personnel and equipment of the 2009th Communications Squadron, which was inactivated.
The unit moved to its present location, then named Falcon Air Force Station, when Richards-Gebaur was turned over to the Air Force Reserve. The 1879th assumed the resources of the 2184th Communications Squadron at Falcon. When the 2d Space Wing was inactivated in 1992 the 1879th was inactivated with it and its mission was taken over by the 50th Satellite Communications Squadron.
The expanded space communications mission at Schriever Air Force Base led to the reactivation of the unit, now designated the 50th Communications Group. In 2002 the group was inactivated and its components transferred to the 50th Maintenance Group. This action was reversed less than a year later. The group received its current designation in March 2004.
Designated 1879th Communications Squadron and organized on 1 November 1965
Redesignated
1879th Information Systems Squadron on 1 July 1985
Redesignated
1879th Communications Squadron on 1 November 1986
Redesignated
1879th Communications Group on 1 October 1989
Inactivated 30 January 1992
Redesignated 50th Communications Group on 26 November 1997
Activated 1 December 1997
Inactivated 1 October 2002
Activated 1 June 2003
Redesignated
50th Network Operations Group on 10 March 2004
1964th Communications Group, 1 November 1965
Northern Communications Area, 1 September 1971
Airlift Communications Division, 1 June 1981
Tactical Communications Division (later, Tactical Information Systems Division), 1 October 1982
Space Communications Division (later Space Information Systems Division, Space Communications Division), 1 October 1984
2d Space Wing, 1 October 1990 – 30 January 1992
50th Space Wing, 1 December 1997 – 1 October 2002
50th Space Wing, 1 June 2003 – present
Nha Trang Airport (later Nha Trang Air Base), South Vietnam, 1 November 1965
Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri, 1 September 1971
Falcon Air Force Station (later Falcon Air Force Base), Colorado, 1 October 1984 – 30 January 1992
Falcon Air Force Base (later Schriever Air Force Base), Colorado, 1 December 1997 – 1 October 2002
Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 1 June 2003 – present
Honors and campaigns
Campaign streamers
Vietnam:
Vietnam Defensive 1965–1966
Vietnam Air 1966
Vietnam Air Offensive 1966–1967
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II 1967–1968
Vietnam Air/Ground 1968
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III 1968
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV 1968–1969
Tet 69/Counteroffensive 1969
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1969–1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970
Southwest Monsoon 1970
Commando Hunt V 1970–1971
Commando Hunt VI 1971
Decorations
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation: 21 June 1968 – 30 June 1969
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 April, 1966 – 1 September, 1971; 1 January – 30 August, 1968
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat “V” Device: 1 July, 1965 – 30 June, 1966; 1 July, 1966 – 30 June, 1967; 1 July, 1967 – 30 June, 1968; 1 July, 1968 – 30 June, 1969; 1 July, 1969 – 30 June, 1970; 1 July, 1970 – 30 June, 1971; 1 July, 1971 – 1 August, 1971
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 September, 1971 – 15 April, 1972; 1 January, 1976 – 31 December, 1976; 1 September, 1990 – 31 August, 1991; 1 October, 1998 – 30 September, 2000; 1 October, 2000 – 1 October, 2001; 1 October, 2001 – 1 October, 2002; 2 October, 2002 – 1 October, 2003
Other awards
Major General Harold M. McClelland Award
2007
2008
2009 (14th Air Force level)
