A little short of two decades ago – Oct. 1, 1990 to be exact – the 1st Space Launch Squadron – known as “The First” — was activated. Tuesday morning at Hangar R at the Cape, their colors were cased for the last time during a bitter-sweet inactivation ceremony.
“For the last 19 years, The First has been the Air Force poster-child for space launch. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen a picture of a GPS Delta II — with its fierce shark eyes & teeth — being launched on the walls and media around the Air Force and DOD,” said Col. Lee Rosen, commander, 45th Launch Group.
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