50th Space Communications Squadron

The 50th Space Communications Squadron (50 SCS) is a squadron of the United States Air Force located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The squadron provides command and control systems, configuration control, and systems integrations for seven Department of Defense space programs including $6.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network supporting $50 billion in national satellite and terrestrial systems for United States, allied, and coalition forces. The squadron operates and maintains 22 Defense Information Systems Agency nodes providing secure and unsecure voice and data communications for over 485 world-wide sites as well as over $100 million in base infrastructure supporting over 8,900 personnel.

The squadron administers the MAJCOM Communications Coordination Center overseeing command and control of AFSPC-wide mission-unique communications as well as operating and maintaining the command's Global Command and Control System and Space Digital Information Network. [http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123111636]

When the 850th Space Communications Squadron was inactivated on 31 January 2006, most of its functions and personnel were incorporated into 50 SCS. [http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123027341]

Chain of command

* United States Department of Defense
* United States Air Force
* Air Force Space Command
* 14th Air Force
* 50th Space Wing
* 50th Network Operations Group

Lineage

* Constituted 50th Communications Squadron, 15 Nov 52
* Activated, 1 Jan 53
* Discontinued and inactivated, 1 Jul 62
* Activated, 1 Mar 91
* Inactivated, 30 Sep 91
* Redesignated 50th Satellite Communications Squadron, 1 Jan 1992
* Activated, 30 Jan 92
* Redesignated 50th Space Communications Squadron, 1 Jul 92
* Redesignated 50th Communications Squadron, 1 Dec 97
* Redesignated 50th Space Communications Squadron, 1 Oct 02

Assignments

* 50th Air Base (later 50th Combat Support) Group, 1 Jan 53 - 1 Jul 62
* 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 May - 30 Sep 91
* 50th Operations Group, 30 Jan 92
* 50th Communications Group, 1 Dec 97
* 50th Maintenance Group, 1 Oct 02
* 50th Communications Group, 1 Jun 03 - 9 Mar 04
* 50th Network Operations Group, 10 Mar 04 - present

Stations

* Clovis AFB, NM, 1 Jan - 23 Jul 53
* Hahn AB, Germany, 10 Aug 53
* Toul-Rosieres AB, France, 10 Jul 56
* Hahn AB, Germany, 1 Sep 59 - 1 Jul 62
* Hahn AB, Germany, 1 May - 30 Sep 91
* Falcon Air Force Station (later Base, later Schriever AFB), CO, 30 Jan 92

Commanders

* Lt Col Jody D. Acres, 30 Jan 92? - 12 Jul 94
* Maj Robert M. Flowers, 13 Jul 94 - 4 Aug 96
* Lt Col Charles H. Ayala, 5 Aug 96 - 22 Jul 98
* Lt Col Michael J. Kelley, 23 Jul 98 - 22 Mar 00
* Lt Col Thomas T. Shields, 23 Mar 00 - 2 Nov 00
* Lt Col Mark L. Hinchman, 3 Nov 00 - 17 Dec 00
* Lt Col Mona Lisa D. Tucker, 18 Dec 00 - 25 Jun 02
* Lt Col Michael J. Clark, 26 June 02 - 6 Jul 04
* Lt Col Mark G. Langenderfer, 7 Jul 04 - 9 Jul 06
* Lt Col Donovan L. Routsis, 10 Jul 06 - 18 Aug 08
* Lt Col Donald Fielden, 19 Aug 08 - present [http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123111636]

Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: [1 May] - 5 Aug 1991, 1 Oct 1998 - 30 Sep 2000, 1 Oct 2000 - 1 Oct 2001, 1 Oct 2001 - 1 Oct 2002, 2 Oct 2002 - 1 Oct 2003

Emblem

Description (blazon)

Azure gridlined as a globe Argent, a gauntlet issuant from sinister base bendwise Silver Gray issuing a lightning flash between two arcing lightning flashes bendwise Or; all within a diminished bordure Sable. Attached above the disc a Gray scroll edged with a narrow Black border. Attached below the disc a Gray scroll edged with a narrow Black border and inscribed "COMM FOR THE WARFIGHTER" in Black letters.

Significance

Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The globe represents the earth. The gauntlet denotes power and the flexibility of space communications. The lightning bolts symbolize communications through teamwork and unity which result in swift and accurate striking power.

External links

* [http://www.schriever.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3917 Official fact sheet]
* [http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123041693 50th SCS consolidates LAN, multimedia support] , 50th Space Wing Public Affairs, 2007-02-20
* [http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123035517 50th SCS focuses on info assurance] , 50th Space Wing Public Affairs, 2006-12-15
* [http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123013563 Comm squadron develops Air Force Standard Desktop] , 50th Space Wing Public Affairs, 2005-12-14