The United States Space Force's 5th Space Warning Squadron (5 SWS) is an in-theater missile warning unit headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. It operates the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) system via four forward-stationed combat detachments located in Italy, Qatar, South Korea, and Japan.
Assignments
21st Operations Group, 15 May 1992-8 Jun 1995 21st Space Wing, 8 Jun 1995-10 Aug 1999 821st Space Group, 10 Aug 1999-12 Oct 1999 Mission Delta 4, 13 Oct 2023-present
History
From 1992 to 1999, the 5th Space Warning Squadron operated the only ground station in the Southern Hemisphere for the Defense Support Program, a space-based system that provides global missile warning. It used to be known as the 5th Joint Defense Space Communications Squadron.
Commanders Col John Harris, USAF, 1993–1995 Col Henry W. Poburka, USAF, 12 Jul 1995-1997AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 Dec 1996) Col Thomas Meade, 1997-1999 Lt Col Michael A. Provencher, USSF, 13 Oct 2023-3 May 2024 Lt Col Robert M. Smith, USSF, 3 May 2024-present
Station
Woomera AS, Australia, 15 May 1992-12 Oct 1999 Buckley SFB, Colorado, 13 Oct 2023-present
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 Jan 2000-31 Aug 2001AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 Nov 1997 1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994AFSPC Special Order GA-15, 1995 1 Sep 1989-31 Aug 1991AFSPC Special Order GA-095, 1992 2 May 1973 – 1 May 1976Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-161, 1977 17 Nov 1971-1 May 1973Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-830, 1973
See also Joint Tactical Ground Station Defense Support Program Space-Based Infrared System 2d Space Warning Squadron 8th Space Warning Squadron 11th Space Warning Squadron Mission Delta 4
References