12th Space Warning Squadron: Difference between revisions
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The '''12th Space Warning Squadron''' ('''12 SWS''') is a [[United States Air Force]] [[missile]] warning squadron, stationed at [[Thule Air Base]], [[Greenland]]. |
The '''12th Space Warning Squadron''' ('''12 SWS''') is a [[United States Air Force]] [[missile]] warning squadron, stationed at [[Thule Air Base]], [[Greenland]]. |
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==Overview== |
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The primary mission of the 12th SWS is to provide critical, real-time missile warning, defense and space surveillance to the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NORAD, and unified commands by operating a phased-array radar—which continuously provides warning of [[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]] (SLBM) and [[Intercontinental ballistic missile]] attacks against North America—and detect, track, and identify earth-orbiting objects in support of |
The primary mission of the 12th SWS is to provide critical, real-time missile warning, defense and space surveillance to the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NORAD, and unified commands by operating a phased-array radar—which continuously provides warning of [[Submarine-launched ballistic missile]] (SLBM) and [[Intercontinental ballistic missile]] attacks against North America—and detect, track, and identify earth-orbiting objects in support of |
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USSTRATCOM’s space control mission |
USSTRATCOM’s space control mission |
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The 12th Space Warning Squadron is a unit of the [[21st Operations Group]], which is part of the [[21st Space Wing]] under [[Air Force Space Command]]. |
The 12th Space Warning Squadron is a unit of the [[21st Operations Group]], which is part of the [[21st Space Wing]] under [[Air Force Space Command]]. |
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To accomplish its mission, the squadron operates the solid-state phased-array radar located at the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS), Site I. The BMEWS site is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Thule AB. It provides early warning detection of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches from the Russian land mass and submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launches from the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans against North America. Additionally, BMEWS keeps track of polar orbiting satellites. |
To accomplish its mission, the squadron operates the solid-state phased-array radar located at the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS), Site I. The BMEWS site is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Thule AB. It provides early warning detection of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches from the Russian land mass and submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launches from the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans against North America. Additionally, BMEWS keeps track of polar orbiting satellites. The operational crews report through the Missile Warning Center to the NORAD/USNORTHCOM Center. |
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The Operation Support Flight provides direct operational support to the missile warning crews. The flight's Operations Training Section provides all crew force initial, recurring, and supplemental training. Other flight responsibilities include hardware and |
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software development, operational test and evaluation, and crew force management. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 13:16, 13 February 2011
| 12th Space Warning Squadron | |
|---|---|
 12th Space Warning Squadron emblem | |
| Active | 1967-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Space |
| Part of | AFSPC/14 AF/21st Space Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Thule AB, Greenland |
| Motto(s) | TOP OF THE WORLD |
| Decorations |  AFOUA |
The 12th Space Warning Squadron (12 SWS) is a United States Air Force missile warning squadron, stationed at Thule Air Base, Greenland.
Overview
The primary mission of the 12th SWS is to provide critical, real-time missile warning, defense and space surveillance to the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NORAD, and unified commands by operating a phased-array radar—which continuously provides warning of Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and Intercontinental ballistic missile attacks against North America—and detect, track, and identify earth-orbiting objects in support of USSTRATCOM’s space control mission
The 12th Space Warning Squadron is a unit of the 21st Operations Group, which is part of the 21st Space Wing under Air Force Space Command.
To accomplish its mission, the squadron operates the solid-state phased-array radar located at the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS), Site I. The BMEWS site is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Thule AB. It provides early warning detection of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches from the Russian land mass and submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launches from the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans against North America. Additionally, BMEWS keeps track of polar orbiting satellites. The operational crews report through the Missile Warning Center to the NORAD/USNORTHCOM Center.
The Operation Support Flight provides direct operational support to the missile warning crews. The flight's Operations Training Section provides all crew force initial, recurring, and supplemental training. Other flight responsibilities include hardware and software development, operational test and evaluation, and crew force management.
History
The 12th Space Warning Squadron was activated on 1 Nov 1966, to operate Site 1 of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning(BMEWS)system located at Thule Air Base, Greenland.
Assignments
Major Command
- Air Force Space Command (1 May 1983–Present)
- Strategic Air Command (1 Dec 1979-1 May 1983)
- Air Defense Command (later Aerospace Defense Command) (1 Nov 1966-1 Dec 1979)
Wing/Group
- 21st Space Wing (15 May 1992–Present)
- 1st Space Wing (1 May 1983-15 May 1992)
- 71st Missile Warning Wing (1 Jan 1967-???)
Previous designations
- 12th Space Warning Squadron (15 May 1992–Present)
- 12th Missile Warning Group (1 Oct 1989-15 May 1992)
- 12th Missile Warning Squadron (15 Jun 1983-1 Oct 1989)
- 12th Missile Warning Group (31 Mar 1977-15 Jun 1983)
- 12th Missile Warning Squadron (1 Nov 1966-31 Mar 1977)
Bases stationed
Equipment operated
Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS)[1]
References
External links
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