4th Space Operations Squadron

The United States Space Force's 4th Space Operations Squadron is a satellite operations unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado. 4 SOPS is part of Space Delta 8 and responsible for command and control of the Milstar/Advanced Extremely High Frequency, Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III, and Wideband Global SATCOM satellite constellations. The 4th Space Operations Squadron's mission is to operate the Air Force's protected and wideband MILSATCOM systems. They provide warfighters global, secure, survivable, strategic and tactical communication during peacetime and throughout the full spectrum of conflict. The squadron also operates three mobile constellation control stations at various locations in conjunction with host partners. At higher readiness levels and during exercises, these personnel deploy with U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Northern Command respectively.

4th Space Operations Squadron
Emblem of the 4th Space Operations Squadron
Active1941–1946; 1947–1949; 1952–1958; 1992–present
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
RoleSatellite Operations
Part ofSpace Delta 8
Garrison/HQSchriever Air Force Base
Motto(s)Linking the Forces (since 1994)[1]
EngagementsSouthwest Pacific Theater[1]
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
4th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (approved 20 January 1956)[2]
4th Photographic Mapping Squadron emblem (approved 14 July 1943)[2]

Additionally, they provide reliable space-borne communications to national authorities, U.S. and Allied forces. The 4 SOPS' motto "Linking the Forces" reflects the squadron's responsibility to enhance the nation's secure and wideband communications capability for today's military forces. Command and control of satellites is provided through dedicated Extremely High Frequency antennas and the Air Force Satellite Control Network.

The multi-satellite constellation links command authorities to high priority U.S. forces via communications terminals on aircraft, ships, submarines, trucks and ground sites with encrypted voice, data, teletype or facsimile communications. They also provide secure high-rate data communications links to the President, Secretary of Defense, theater commanders and strategic and tactical forces worldwide.[3]

History

World War II

Established under the 1st Photographic Group in May 1941. Performed aerial mapping primarily over the southwestern United States prior to the Pearl Harbor Attack using Beechcraft F-2 Expeditor variants of the Beechcraft Model 18 which were equipped for the reconnaissance role.

After the United States entry into World War II, flew aerial mapping missions over Western Canada and Alaska, mapping uncharted territory to support the building of the Alaska Highway. Deployed to South America in 1942–1943; mapping locations in British Guiana and Brazil for locations of emergency airfields as part of the development of the South Atlantic Transport Route.

Attached to 13th Air Force in late 1944; engaged in long-range mapping and reconnaissance over combat areas in support of seaborne landings in the Southwest Pacific Area and the liberation of the Philippines. Remained in the Pacific Theater after V-J Day performing reconnaissance mapping flights over Japan, Korea, and China. Unit largely demobilized on Okinawa. Inactivated in early 1946.

Air Force reserve

Active from 1947 to 1949 at Niagara Falls Municipal Airport as a reserve unit. Apparently not fully manned or equipped.[1]

Strategic Air Command

Reactivated in 1952 as part of Strategic Air Command. Mission was to gather intelligence on a global scale. Squadron operated Boeing RB-47 Stratojet medium bombers refitted for aerial reconnaissance and mapping mission. Flew day and night strategic reconnaissance missions over a global scale. Inactivated due to budget reductions in 1958.

Space unit

Activated at Falcon Air Force Station, Colorado in 1992 as a space unit.[1]

Lineage
  • Constituted as the 4th Photographic Squadron on 15 May 1941
Activated on 10 June 1941
Redesignated 4th Mapping Squadron on 13 January 1942
Redesignated 4th Photographic Mapping Squadron on 9 June 1942
Redesignated 4th Photographic Charting Squadron on 11 August 1943
Redesignated 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, Long Range, Photographic on 15 June 1945
Redesignated 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, Very Long Range, Photographic on 20 November 1945
Inactivated on 14 April 1946
  • Redesignated 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic on 5 September 1947
Activated in the reserve on 20 September 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
  • Redesignated 4th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium on 9 May 1952
Activated on 28 May 1952
Inactivated on 1 July 1958
  • Redesignated 4th Space Operations Squadron on 1 April 1992
Activated on 30 April 1992[1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft
  • Beechcraft F-2 Expeditor, 1941–1942
  • A-29 Hudson, 1942
  • B-34 Lexington, 1943–1944
  • B-24/F7 Liberator, 1943–1946
  • Unknown, 1947–1949
  • Boeing YRB-47 Stratojet, 1953–1958
  • Boeing RB-47 Stratojet, 1953–1958
  • Boeing B-47 Stratojet, 1953–1958
  • Satellites, 1992–present

Commanders
  • Lt Col Charles Thompson (March 1992 to June 1993)
  • Lt Col Kimber McKenzie (June 1993 to January 1995)
  • Lt Col Michael Mantz (January 1995 to August 1996)
  • Lt Col Philip Fitzjarrell (August 1996 to March 1999)
  • Lt Col Allan Kirkman (March 1999 to February 2001)
  • Lt Col Roger Teague (February 2001 to June 2003)
  • Lt Col Ronald Huntley (June 2003 to June 2005)
  • Lt Col John E. Shaw (June 2005 to June 2007)
  • Lt Col Tommy Roberts (June 2007 to June 2009)
  • Lt Col Douglas A. Schiess (June 2009 to June 2011)[4]
  • Lt Col Scott Trinrud (June 2011 to Jun 2013)[5]
  • Lt Col Monte Munoz (June 2013 to July 2015)[6]
  • Lt Col Sherman Johns (July 2015 to July 2017)
  • Lt Col Armon Lansing (July 2017 to July 2019)
  • Lt Col Timothy Ryan (July 2019 to present)[7]

References

Notes
  1. Robertson, Patsy (1 December 2008). "Factsheet 4 Spece Operations Squadron (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  2. Endicott, pp. 351–352
  3. No byline (13 July 2012). "Schreiver AFB About us: 4th Space Operations Squadron Fact Sheet". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 8 August 2018. (updated February 2018)
  4. Foster, SSG Stacy (2009). "Close friends participate in 4th SOPS change of command" (PDF). 3 (25). Schreiver Sentinel. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  5. No byline (24 June 2011). "4 SOPS changes command". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  6. No byline (19 June 2013). "4 SOPS welcomes new commander". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  7. "4th Space Operations Squadron changes command". Schriever Air Force Base. Retrieved 25 July 2019.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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