7th Space Operations Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 7th Space Operations Squadron


caption= 7th Space Operations Squadron emblem
dates= 1993-Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type= Space Operations
role= Augmenting Active Duty Space Missions
size=
command_structure= 310th Space Wing (AFRES)
current_commander=
garrison= Schriever AFB, Colorado
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto= FIRST FROM THE STARS
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=

The United States Air Force's 7th Space Operations Squadron (7 SOPS) is an Air Force Reserve space operations unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado. [http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0398/space2.htm Airman Magazine: "First in Space"] [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PAK/is_2_56/ai_n6137202 Citizen Airman: "Reservists fight war on terrorism with satellites"]

Mission

The 7th Space Operations Squadron operates the Multi-Mission Space Operations Center, a one-of-a-kind satellite operations center focused on rapidly fielding cutting-edge space technologies for warfighters. [http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123026580 Air Force Space Command News: "7th SOPS' mission takes new direction"]

The previous mission for 7 SOPS was to augment space operation squadrons of the 50th Space Wing, specifically the 1st Space Operations Squadron. [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-111268865.html Citizen Airman: "A leading role: reservists perform diverse missions in support of war"] These activities included satellite emergencies, launch and early orbit, and satellite disposal for the Global Positioning System and Defense Support Program satellites. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_prfr/is_200304/ai_3190484204/pg_1 Air Force News: "Space units provide impact during OIF"] Up until 2007, 7 SOPS operated the Midcourse Space Experiment satellite, AFSPC's only space-based space surveillance asset and also performed booster launch operations mission, providing telemetry collection/data relay for Delta II launches. [http://www.spacewar.com/reports/GPS_Operators_Unveil_New_Early_Orbit_Anomaly_Resolution_System_999.html SpaceWar.com: "GPS Operators Unveil New Early-Orbit, Anomaly Resolution System"]

=History [http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=1713&page=1 PatriotFiles.com: 7th Space Operations Squadron History] =

The 7th Space Operations Squadron traces its lineage to the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron which was activated January 28, 1942, at MacDill Field, Tampa, FL. May 15 of that same year, it transferred to Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, CO. The squadron’s primary mission was to train men in the art of photo reconnaissance. While there it flew P-38s, F-4s and F-5s. In June 1942, their name was changed to the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron. In October 1943 the squadron moved to Will Rogers Field, OK.

In the 51 year heritage of the 7th, it has performed many roles from training pilots and technicians for photo reconnaissance to the 7th Liaison Squadron providing operations and logistical support for the Inter-American Geodetic Survey in the Panama Canal Zone. The 7th Special Operations Flight was deactivated in 1972 at Hurlburt Field, FL. The squadron was consolidated and redesignated the 27th Special Operations Squadron in 1985 but remained inactive until 7 SOPS was activated March 18, 1993, at Falcon (later, Schriever) AFB, becoming the first Reserve unit to augment Air Force Space Command.

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

*7th Space Operations Squadron (1 Jan 1993-Present)
*27th Special Operations Squadron (19 Sep 1985-1993)
*7th Special Operations Flight (18 Mar 1969-30 Apr 1974)
*7th Liaison Squadron (8 Sep 1952-18 Jun 1954)
*7th Liaison Flight (7 Oct 1949-8 Sep 1952)
*7th Liaison Squadron (3 Nov 1945-28 Mar 1949)
*7th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (11 Aug 1943-1 May 1944)
*7th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Light) (6 Feb 1943-11 Aug 1943)
*7th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (9 Jun 1942-6 Feb 1943)
*7th Photographic Squadron (19 Jan 1942-9 Jun 1942)

Assignments

*310th Space Wing (2008 - Present)
*310th Space Group (1 Sep 1997 - 2008)
*302d Operations Group (1 May 1993 - 1 Sep 1997)
*1st Special Operations Wing (1 Jul 1969 - 30 Apr 1974)
*5700th Air Base Group (27 Oct 1949-8 Sep 1952)
*1st Fighter Wing (1 Sep 1947-28 Mar 1949)

Bases stationed

*Schriever AFB, Colorado (1998-Present)
*Falcon AFB, Colorado (1993-1998)
*Hurlburt Field, Florida (???)
*Panama Canal Zone, Panama (???)
*Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma (Oct 1943-???)
*Peterson Field, Colorado (15 May 1942-Oct 1943)
*MacDill Field, Florida (28 Jan 1942-15 May 1942)

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

*DSP (1993-2007)
*GPS (1993-2007)
*MSX (???-2008) [http://www.afspc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=3644&page=1 Air Force Factsheet: 310th Space Wing, dated March 2008]
*UH-1 (1971-1974)
*C-123 (1970-1973)
*U-10 (1969-1971)
*C-47 (1969-1970)
*L-20 (1952-1954)
*L-4 (1948-1949)
*L-13 (1947-1948)
*L-5 (1946-1952)
*B-25/F-10 (1942-1944)
*P-38/F-4 and F-5 (1942-1944)

Decorations

*
**4 Sep 1997-1 Nov 1998
**1 Jul 1969-15 Apr 1971

References

External links

* [http://www.afspc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=3644&page=1 Schriever AFB: 310th Space Wing Factsheet]
* [http://www.schriever.af.mil/shared/media/ggallery/hires/AFG-060525-018.jpgSchriever AFB: 7th Space Operations Squadron Logo]