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4th Space Operations Squadron [4th SOPS]

The 4th Space Operations Squadron is a component of the 50th Operations Group, 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, CO. It is responsible for overall command and control of the Milstar satellite constellation.

The unist is responsible for the activation and operation of the Milstar satellite constellation--the United States' top priority command and control system. It organizes, trains, evaluates, and certifies operational crews who provide satellite command and control and payload management. It leads database maintenance performed by USAF and contractor teams and is responsible for maintenance of Milstar equipment at Schriever AFB. In addition, the unit is responsible for activation and operation of three mobile satellite command and control vans supporting two commanders-in-chief.

The mission of the 4th Space Operations Squadron is to ensure the Milstar system provides survivable, enduring, minimum essential command and control communications through all levels of conflict for the National Command Authorities and warfighting Commanders-in-Chief worldwide. The 4th SOPS operates the $31 billion Milstar system executing communications management, satellite command and control, and ground segment maintenance for the Milstar constellation.

The squadron is responsible for command and control of the Milstar satellite constellation through the Milstar Satellite Operations Center, Mobile Constellation Control Stations, and the Milstar Support Facility.

The MSOC personnel perform satellite command and control, communications resource management, systems engineering support, mission planning, and anomaly resolution for the Milstar system. The MSOC has two fixed CCSs, which interface with the geographically distributed Mobile CCSs, executing satellite command and control. The Milstar Support Facility personnel, also located in the Operations Building perform ground control maintenance and testing, and hardware and software configuration control.

Communications resource management includes satellite communications channel apportionment and monitoring payload use. Specifically, operations support personnel plan, execute, and monitor payload use allocations from the NCA level all the way down to tactical users in the field. These functions are unique at the squadron level as other communications programs' channel apportionment are allocated by higher headquarters agencies.

The 4th SOPS provides operators for three mobile Constellation Control Stations located at the 721st Mobile Command and Control Squadron, Peterson AFB, CO, Schriever AFB, CO, and the 55th Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, NE. At higher readiness levels and during exercises, these personnel deploy with CINC U.S. Space Command and U.S. Strategic Command respectively, providing survivable, enduring, and secure communications and constellation command and control throughout the entire conflict spectrum including trans and post attack phases of nuclear war.

The Milstar system is composed of three distinct segments: The Space Segment (satellites), the Terminal Segment (users), and Mission Control Segment (ground control stations). The Milstar multi-satellite constellation links command authorities to high priority U.S. forces via Milstar terminals on aircraft, ships, submarines, trucks, and ground sites with encrypted voice, data, teletype, or facsimile communications. The Mission Control Segment provides satellite command and control and mission support to the Milstar constellation. As of May 1999, two of the projected four satellites were on orbit.

The 4th Space Operations Squadron gains its heritage from the 4th Photographic Squadron, which was activated on June 10, 1941, at March Field, CA. This unit saw a lot of action in the Pacific Theater during World War II, until it was inactivated on April 14, 1946. It was reactivated as the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range) in December 1946 and inactivated on June 29, 1949. In May 1952, the unit was reactivated as the 4th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), and inactivated on July 1, 1958, at Rickenbacker AFB, OH.

The 4th Space Operations Squadron was activated on April 30, 1992, from the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, with its new mission to operate the Milstar satellite communications system.

Approximately 200 active duty Air Force members and 11 Department of Defense civilians are assigned to the 4th Space Operations Squadron.