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Lesson Index:
[ Introduction
| Lesson Objective | Overview
| Information Superiority | Information-in-Warfare
| Offensive Counterinformation | Defensive Counterinformation
| Information Services | Air Force IO Organizations
| NAF-level IO Organization | IW Flights
| Space Operations | Space Characteristics
| Orbit Characteristics | Space Missions
| Space Force Enhancement | Air Force Space Organization
| SPACEAF AOC | Theater Space Support
| AOC Space & Info Ops | Summary
| Quiz ]
Title: Air Force Space Organization
Action: Present the shields for USSTRATCOM and SPACEAF along with the following
pop-up text:
- Space Air Force (SPACEAF)
-
- Launches ALL military satellites
- Tracks all satellites and other orbiting objects
- Controls most military satellites
- Operates ground- and space-based missile warning systems
- Provides space information to Air Force warfighters
Voice: Space Air Force is the Air Force service component of the combatant command,
USSTRATCOM. Space Air Force performs the Air Force’s warfighting space operations within the operational
branch of the chain of command. These operations include space lift, on-orbit satellite control, global
ballistic missile warning, and space control operations.
Action: Add the AFSPC shield along with the 14th AF shields
and connect the 14th and SPACEAF with a double headed arrow.
- 14th Air Force
-
- A numbered air force within AF Space Command
- Performs the organize, train, equip, etc. functions for Space Air Force
- Space Warfare Center integrates space systems into the operational Air Force and explores and
tests new ways to use space systems to support warfighters
Voice: Within the administrative branch of the chain of command, 14th Air Force falls under
the MAJCOM, Air Force Space Command. Fourteenth Air Force is responsible for the organize, train, and equip
functions in support of Air Force space operations. In actuality, the Space Air Forces Commander and
14th Air Force Commander are the same person and both organizations are matrixed together.
Action: Present the shields of the subordinate units, and provide pop-up text for each unit:
-
- 21st SW Peterson AFB
- 30th SW Vandenberg AFB
- 45th SW Patrick AFB
- 50th SW Schriever AFB
- 460 ABW Buckley AFB
- 614 SOPG Vandenberg AFB
Voice: Fourteenth Air Force has a number of subordinate units which execute space
missions under the authority of Space Air Force. You may roll your cursor over a unit to see more
information about its operations.
- 21st Space Wing – Peterson AFB, CO:
-
Provides warning of strategic and theater ballistic missile attacks and foreign space launches
- Defense Support Program (DSP), PAVE PAWS sea-launched ballistic missile warning system, Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS), Perimeter Attack Radar Characterization System (PARCS)
Conducts space surveillance in support of space control mission
- Operates phased array radar and the optical trackers in the Ground–Based Electro–Optical Deep Space Surveillance system, or GEODSS
- 30th Space Wing, Vandenberg AFB, CA:
-
- Operates the Western Missile Range
- Tests DOD space and missile systems including Force Development and Evaluation of all ICBMs
- Performs west coast space lift function—only facility to launch polar orbit payloads
- 45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, FL:
-
- East coast space lift functions—does heavy lift to geosynchronous orbit
- Space Shuttle launch support
- 50th Space Wing, Schriever AFB, CO:
-
- Operates Air Force Satellite Control Network
- Provides command, control, and on-orbit operations support to DOD and allied satellites
- Systems include DSP, GPS, DSCS, and Milstar as well as several NATO constellations
- 460th Air Base Wing, Buckley AFB, CO:
-
- Operates Buckley AFB and supports its many tenant units
- 614th SOPG, Vandenberg AFB, CA
-
Operates the SPACEAF Aerospace Operations Center (AOC)
- A C-2 weapon system focused on planning and executing SPACEAF mission
- Tracks status of space forces
- Publishes and executes the daily Space Tasking Order (STO)
- Provides theater support via reachback
[Back: Space Force Enhancement | Next: SPACEAF AOC]