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6th Space Operations Squadron [6th SOPS]

The 6th Space Operations Squadron, a component of the Reserve 310th Space Group, is located at Schriever Air Force Base, CO.

The 6th SOPS activated at Schriever in September 1998 to replace the 8th SOPS which had recently inactivated.

The 6th Space Operations Squadron operates the DMSP satellite in support of the DoC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The unit's normal day-to-day mission is to maintain operational readiness at the Schriever facility.

At the end of January 1999, to support a request from Air Force Weather Agency, the 6th SOPS began augmenting military weather satellite operations when the Air Force Weather Agency needed more satellite data. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which provides information to both military and civilian weather agencies, operates all weather satellites. To meet the Air Force Weather Agency's request for more data, the NOAA supplemented its crew force with reservists from the 6th SOPS.

The 6th SOPS has a five-person crew available to provide round-the-clock operations. Crew members work 16-hour shifts approximately one week a month. Besides 10 full-time active Guard and Reserve operators, Amburgey said the squadron has four traditional reservists supporting the operation on man-days.