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3rd Space Operations Squadron [3rd SOPS]

The mission of the 3rd Space Operations Squadron is to ensure reliable spaceborne communications to National Command Authorities and U.S./Allied Forces.

The mission is accomplished by conducting launch and on-orbit operations for the Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III satellites, on-orbit operations for the NATO IIID satellite, and primary U.S. operations for the NATO IV/Skynet 4 constellations. DSCS III provides secure communications links to the National Command Authorities, theater commanders, and strategic and tactical forces worldwide. The NATO IIID and the NATO IV/Skynet 4 constellation provides dedicated military and diplomatic communications for NATO and the MoD.

Operational crews are responsible for conducting, day-to-day telemetry analysis, satellite commanding, orbital data collection, and anomaly resolution for all of its assigned satellites. Additionally 3rd SOPS is responsible for launch and early orbit operations for the DSCS III constellation.

The squadron accomplishes its mission through the command and control of no less than four communications satellite constellations incorporating 18, possibly 19 spacecraft:

• DSCS III- The Defense Satellite Communications System, Phase III is a globally distributed constellation of II satellites that provide high bandwidth communications for the National Command Authorities, theater commanders, and strategic and tactical forces worldwide.
• NATO IV- Two NATO-IV space craft provide high level communications for the North Atlantic Treaty 6 Organization command structure. Primary control of these satellites are provided by the Royal Air Force's 1001 Signals Unit south of London. 3rd SOPS provides an always-ready geographically separated backup node for our United Kingdom Allies.
• SKYNET 4- The four satellite Skynet constellation is the United Kingdom's DSCS equivalent, providing 6 military and diplomatic communications for the British government. As for NATO-IV, 3rd SOPS provides a hot back-up command and control capability to the 1001 Signal Unit.
• NATO III D- This single satellite is controlled solely by 3rd SOPS and is the last NATO III still operating on orbit. It is an on-orbit spare for communications between NATO leaders and forces.

The squadron was first activated on June 10, 1941, as the 3rd Photographic Squadron. During the first half of World War II, the squadron conducted airborne mapping operations of the United States, the West Indies, South America, Canada, and the famous "Hump" region in Asia. On May 19, 1944, the unit was redesignated the 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (3rd PRS) and began training for aerial reconnaissance operations using highly modified B-29 Superfortress bombers (F-13). The 3rd PRS deployed to Saipan in September-October 1944 to begin reconnaissance operations over Japan.

On October 31, 1944, a 3rd PRS F-13 became the first American aircraft over Tokyo since the famed Doolittle Raid in 1942. By the end of the war, the 3rd PRS had flown 460 combat missions mainly over Japan. Among these were post strike reconnaissance missions to document the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the atomic bomb strikes. One of the photos appeared on the cover of "Life" magazine. The 3rd PRS was inactivated on March 15, 1947.

In 1985, the initial cadre of Air Force NATO III and DSCS II satellite operators received training at Sunnyvale Air Force Station, Calif. These personnel relocated to Falcon Air Force Base in 1987 and became Operating Location-AB, Consolidated Space Test Center (OL-AB). These men and women became the nucleus of what would eventually become the 3rd Space Operations Squadron. On August 2, 1988, OL-AB began 24-hour operations at Falcon AFB. By May 1989, OL-AB was conducting stationkeeping maneuvers on NATO III and DSCS II satellites. On February 2, 1990, OL-AB was deactivated with the personnel and mission transferring to the newly activated 3rd Satellite Control Squadron (3rd SCS).

In November 1990, the 3rd SCS was directed to relocated a DSCS II from over the Pacific to a position over the Indian Ocean to support of Operation Desert Shield. The series of relocation maneuvers were completed in December 1990 and the satellite was then configured for operational use. Combat crews saved a failing FLEETSATCOM spacecraft just as Operation Desert Storm commenced, ensuring the US Navy's two carrier groups had command and control of their aircraft. During Operation Desert Storm, 3rd SCS crews maintained the NATO, DSCS, and FLTSAT constellations, ensuring communications was available at all times for warfighters deployed to Southwest Asia.

On July 11, 1991, in a formal operations turnover ceremony, the squadron accepted complete operational mission transfer of all assigned satellite programs. This transfer officially established operational control of the assigned DOD communications satellites to Air Force Space Command. In addition to the DSCS, FLTSAT, and NATO constellations, the squadron was busy preparing for two additional satellite constellations, the Navy's Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On (UHF F/O) and Milstar. In November 1991, the initial cadre of UHF F/O satellite operators began training.

On January 30, 1992, as part of a reorganization at Falcon AFB, the 3rd SCS was redesignated the 3rd Space Operations Squadron (3rd SOPS).

On March 25, 1993, the first UHF F/O was launched. Unfortunately due to an Atlas II rocket booster malfunction, the satellite was placed in the wrong orbit. Over the next several weeks, 3rd SOPS personnel planned and executed a series of 25 maneuvers to move the satellite to a super-synchronous orbit. 3rd SOPS personnel were recognized by the Commander of Air Force Space Command for their efforts. From 1993-1999, 3rd SOPS would conduct launch operations for nine additional UHF F/O satellites. The last, UHF F/O Flight 10, was launched on November 22, 1999.

During late 1993 and early 1994, 3rd SOPS transferred control of the aging DSCS II and NATO III satellites to the 5th Space Operations Squadron (5 SOPS) at Onizuka Air Force Station. This move was made so 3rd SOPS could focus its operations on the newest generation communications satellites.

In 1996, 3rd SOPS lost two missions and gained one. In June 1996, as part of an Air Force and Navy agreement, operations of the FLTSAT constellation were turned over to the Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) at Pt. Mugu, CA. In December 1996, 3rd SOPS transferred control of the Milstar constellation to 4 SOPS. On December 18, 1996, 3rd SOPS gained control of five operating locations (OLs) located in Nebraska, Virginia, Guam, Italy, and Hawaii. The OLs were responsible for running the Air Force's Satellite Management Centers, which monitored and controlled user access to UHF communications satellites. As part of the same agreement that transferred FLTSAT, the SMC's mission was also transferred to the Navy.

On March 23, 2000, Operating Location Charlie at Norfolk Naval Air Station, VA, became the last to transfer to the Navy, thus ending 3rd SOPS' role.

On July 2, 1999, as part of the same agreement that transferred FLTSAT to the Navy, operational control of UHF F/O Flights 2-9 transferred to NAVSOC. On February 10, 2000, after several months of on-orbit checkout, 3rd SOPS conducted its last UHF F/O sortie on Flight 10. On that day NAVSOC assumed control of the satellite and Air Force UHF F/O operations came to a close.

As part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) directed realignment of Onizuka Air Force Station in 1996, 3rd SOPS assumed the DSCS III launch, the NATO IV/Skynet IV backup, and the NATO III missions from 5 SOPS. On January 20, 2000, 3rd SOPS conducted its first launch of a DSCS III satellite. The squadron conducted its second successful DSCS III launch on October 20, 2000. The last two DSCS III launches are currently scheduled for 2002 and 2003. The NATO IV/Skynet IV constellation transfer was completed on September 28, 2000, and the NATO III transfer occurred on March 29, 2001.

In 2004, 3rd SOPS will assume satellite control authority of one of the DoD's newest and most robust communications satellites, the Wideband Gapfiller System.

As of February 2001, the 3rd Space Operations Squadron had approximately 150 active duty Air Force members and eight DoD civilians are assigned to the unit. The squadron supports 18, possibly 19, spacecraft, worth over $2.8 billion, in geosynchronous orbit.