5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron

The United States Space Force's 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (5 EWS) is a space electromagnetic warfare unit located at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron
Emblem of the 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeSpace Electromagnetic Warfare
Part ofSpace Delta 3
Garrison/HQPeterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Motto(s)I plea the fifth!
Decorations AFOUA
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Alexander Courtney
Notable
commanders		John W. Raymond
Insignia
Emblem of the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron

Mission

The mission of the 5 EWS is to provide flexible and responsive space control capabilities to the Commander U.S. Space Command in order to protect and defend national security space capabilities.

History

The dual LASS/DSTS operation supported USAF space intelligence requirements, while being assisted by the 18th Intelligence Squadron's Det 4 for SIGINT support.[1] This coverage augmented worldwide coverage of space signals activities at similarly equipped sites at Misawa AB, Japan, Osan AB, Republic of Korea and at Griffiss AFB in the United States.[2]

The Deep Space Tracking System uses sensitive, highly accurate 20-foot dish antennas to detect and track S-band radio signals transmitted by radio beacons on most satellites. There were DSTS receivers located at Griffiss AFB, New York; RAF Feltwell, Great Britain; and Misawa AB, Japan.[3]

The 5 SSS was inactivated in 2003, with administration of RAF Feltwell transferred to Detachment 4, 18th Intelligence Squadron.

On 15 April 2022, the 5th Space Control Squadron was redesignated the 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron.[4]

Previous designations
  • 5th Space Control Squadron (2019–2022)
  • 5th Space Surveillance Squadron (1989–2003)

Bases stationed

List of commanders
  • Lt Col Alexander Courtney, June 2021 – Present
  • Lt Col Susan Bedell, 10 October 2019 – June 2021[5]
  • Lt Col John W. Raymond, April 2000 – June 2001[6]
  • Lt Col John Amrine, June 1999 – July 2000[7]
  • Lt Col Steven R. Prebeck, 28 September 1996 – ???[8]
  • Lt Col James L. Burling, Jr., August 1994 – 28 September 1996
  • Lt Col Ronald P. Mitchell, 1 October 1990 – ???

Equipment Operated
  • Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) (1989–2003)
  • Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) (1989–2003)

See also

Decorations

References
  1. Richelson, Jeffrey (4 February 1999). Richelson, J. The US Intelligence Community, 4th Edition. ISBN 978-0-8133-6893-1.
  2. "21st Space Wing [21st SW]". www.globalsecurity.org.
  3. "SeeSat-L Jan-96 : US Space Surveillance Network". www.satobs.org.
  4. "4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation".
  5. "721st OG activated as USAF realigns to 'Protect and Defend' U.S. Space Capabilities". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil.
  6. "Peterson-Schriever Garrison | USSF | Peterson Air Force Base". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009.
  7. "Official Biography of Colonel Amrine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 30, 2007.
  8. AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996)
  9. AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001
  10. AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000
  11. AFSPC Special Order GA-62, 6 December 1999
  12. AFSPC Special Order GA-58, 6 December 1999
  13. AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997
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