17th Space Surveillance Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 17th Space Surveillance Squadron


caption= 17th Space Surveillance Squadron emblem
dates= 1966-1996
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type= Squadron
role= Space Surveillance
size=
command_structure=Air Force Space Command/73d Space Group
current_commander=
garrison= RAF Edzell, Scotland
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto= ETERNAL VIGILANCE
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=

The United States Air Force's 17th Space Surveillance Squadron (17 SSS) was a space surveillance unit located at RAF Edzell, Scotland. Before its inactivation, the 17th SSSoperated sensors for the Low-Altitude Surveillance System (LASS).

History

The 17th Space Surveillance Squadron (17 SSS) was originally constituted as the 17th Radar Squadron (17th RS), and activated, on 1 Nov 1966. The 17th SS operated a radar sensor for the USAF Spacetrack System, first in New Jersey then later tracking People's Republic of China missile launchesand southerly launches from the Soviet Union from Thailand, until its deactivation in May 1976. Reactivating as the 17th Surveillance Squadron (17th SS) on 1 Aug 1982, the unit provided low-altitude space surveillance until its subsequent deactivation in June 1989. Reactivating again in Oct 1993, the newly designated 17th Space Surveillance Squadron (17th SSS) operated sensors for the Low-Altitude Space Surveillance System, until its final deactivation and closure of RAF Edzell in 1996. With the inactivation of the 73rd Space Group and closure of RAF Edzell, Scotland, in October 1996, the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron, at RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom incorporated the LASS mission.

Assignments

Major Command

*Air Force Space Command (1992-Present)
*Aerospace Defense Command (????)
*Air Defense Command (????)

Numbered Air Force

*14th Air Force (???)
*14th Aerospace Force (???)

Wing/Group

*73d Space Group (15 Nov 1993-????)
*1st Space Wing (1 May 1983–1 Jun 1989)
*73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing (1 Jan 1967–31 Dec 1969)

Previous designationsRogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0

*17th Space Surveillance Squadron (1993-1996)
*17th Surveillance Squadron (1983-1989)
*17th Radar Squadron (1966-1976)

Bases stationed

*RAF Edzell, Scotland (15 Nov 1993–????)
*San Miguel, Philippines (1 Aug 1982–1 Jun 1989)
*Ko Kha RTAS, Thailand (1 Sep 1971–31 May 1976)
*Moorestown, NJ (1 Jan 1967–31 Dec 1969)

Equipment OperatedWorld Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3

*Low Altitude Space Surveillance System (1982-1996)
*USAF Spacetrack System (1967-1976)

Decorations

* [http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AwardsNet/SearchUnitAwards.aspx?Mode=Graphics Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)]
**1 Aug 1982–31 Jul 1983
**14 Sep 1973–17 Feb 1975

References

External links