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21st Space Operations Squadron [21st SOPS]

The 21st Space Operations Squadron, a unit of the 50th Operations Group, 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, CO, was located at Onizuka Air Force Station, Sunnyvale, CA. The 21st Space Operations Squadron was the host unit at Onizuka AS, 37 miles southeast of San Francisco.

The squadron plans, conducts and supports launch, early-orbit, on-orbit operations and specialized communications for a wide spectrum of Department of Defense, allied, civil and commercial space systems. It schedules, allocates, and configures Air Force Satellite Control Network common user resources; resolves resource allocation conflicts; monitors, maintains and updates status of AFSCN resources; and provides status, configurations, and readiness of controlled resources to multiple users and command centers. It also manages communications systems for network operations and maintains and operates base communications.

The squadron provides access to the worldwide Air Force Satellite Control Network and specialized support to the international space community by providing network communications, inter-range operations, and on-orbit test, checkout and troubleshooting services. The unit is also responsible for managing the Camp Parks Communications Annex and maintaining Onizuka's two 60-foot satellite communication antennas.

A sister unit, the 22nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, schedules tracking station usage for satellite operators at Onizuka, Schriever, and other locations, which ensures users can communicate (through the tracking stations) with the satellites for which they are responsible. An inactive system at Onizuka mirrors the scheduling area at 22nd SOPS, providing back-up for this important mission.

As host unit for Onizuka Air Force Station, the 21st SOPS provides resources to operate and maintain the Onizuka AFS facility and to provide limited administrative and support services to base units and agencies, including security, civil engineering and safety. They also maintain a small Services contingent.

Further, the squadron provides some base support to units on Moffett Federal Airfield. The 21st SOPS commander is designated the installation commander for Onizuka AFS and the Onizuka AFS Annex.

The 21st Space Operations Squadron was established in October 1991 and consisted of Network Scheduling, Planners, Directors and Communications Operations. In 1992, the 21st SOPS assumed command of the Camp Parks Communications Annex (from 750th OSS) and Inter-Range Operations (from Air Force Systems Command), significantly expanding the squadron's capabilities, services and mission. On June 7, 1999, the 21st SOPS assumed base support at Onizuka AFS with the deactivation of the 750th Space Group.

Twenty-four hour operations are the norm throughout all mission areas except the Camp Parks Communications Annex, which may be brought up to 24-hour operations with minimal notice. Air Force officers and enlisted personnel, DoD civilians and a large contractor contingent man the squadron.

In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, DoD recommended to close Onizuka Air Force Station, CA. It would relocate Onizuka's Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) mission, including the 21st Space Operations Squadron, and tenant Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) mission and equipment to Vandenberg AFB. DoD claimed that this recommendation would consolidate satellite command and control operations while reducing excess infrastructure.