3d Space Experimentation Squadron

3d Space Experimentation Squadron
200px 3d Space Experimentation Squadron emblem
Active	1990-2002; 2006–Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Space Control
Role	Experimentation
Part of	AFSPC/21st Space Wing
Garrison/HQ	Schriever AFB, Colorado
Motto	Unequalled excellence
Decorations	AFOUA

The 3d Space Experimentation Squadron (3 SES) is a space control unit located at Schriever AFB in Colorado.

Mission

The 3d Space Experimentation Squadron is AFSPC's premier organization for space-based demonstrations, pathfinders and experiments. The unit identifies concepts of employment, training, education and technical skill sets required to field selected future AFSPC missions. The 3d SES will develop a core cadre of space professionals to serve as subject matter experts for all future AFSPC space-based endeavors, demonstrate operational utility of selected demonstrations and apply lessons learned from demonstrations and pathfinders for use in future initiatives.

History

The 3d SES was first constituted as the 3d Surveillance Squadron on August 10, 1990, at Misawa AB, Japan. However it was not activated at that time. In preparation for its activation and operations, Det. 3, 73d Space Group activated in January 1991 to oversee construction and site preparation for the 3d. The home for the 3d SS (project name RINGO) was completed on March 16, 1991. Two antennas, an operations building, support building, pump housing and entry control point were constructed beginning on October 1, 1991, and was completed on May 31, 1992. Later that year, the unit was redesignated 3d Space Surveillance Squadron and it activated on October 1. The unit's Deep Space Tracking System obtained initial operating capability in April 1994. The squadron inactivated on February 20, 2002.

Assigned to the 73d Space Group, the 3d was tasked with operating passive sensors for the Deep Space Tracking System. The squadron was one of two Deep Space Tracking System squadrons located throughout the world. The DSTS tracked objects orbiting more than 22,300 miles above the Earth. More than 9,500 man-made objects orbit the Earth, ranging in size from a baseball to the Mir space station. The 3d SPSS forwarded this data to the 1st Command and Control Squadron and the Space Control Center, Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, CO. The 1st CACS and the center use this information, along with other data, to catalog and identify all man-made Earth-orbiting objects. Several agencies use this information for everything from collision avoidance to intelligence.

On February 23, 2006, Air Force Space Command ordered the unit redesignated 3d Space Experimentation Squadron and activated it effective March 10, 2006, with its new home at Schriever AFB, Colorado.

Lineage

• Constituted as 3d Surveillance Squadron on 10 Aug 1990

Re-designated: 3d Space Surveillance Squadron on 1 October 1992

Activated on 1 October 1992

Inactivated on 20 February 2002

Re-designated: 3d Space Experimentation Squadron on 16 February 2006

Activated on 10 March 2006

Assignments

• 73d Space Group, 1 October 1992-25 April 1995
• 21st Operations Group 26 April 1995-20 February 2002
• 595th Space Group, 10 March 2006-30 March 2013
• 50th Operations Group, 1 April 2013-

Detachments

• Detachment 1, 3d Space Surveillance Squadron - Osan AB, Republic of Korea

Stations

• Misawa AB, Japan (1 Oct 1992–20 Feb 2002)
• Schriever AFB, Colorado (10 Mar 2006 – present)

Space Systems

• Deep Space Tracking System (1992–2002)

Commanders

• Lt Col Joseph Prue
• Lt Col Jeff Hokett
• Lt Col Jim Maestas
• Lt Col Richard Lucas (Misawa)
• Lt Col Robert Preston (Misawa - 1st Commander)

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  • 1 Jan 2000-31 Aug 2001
  • 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999
  • 1 Jan 1998-31 Dec 1998
  • 1 Oct 1997-30 Sep 1999
  • 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.