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On Dec. 21, 1989, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command declared the Consolidated Space Operations Center\u2019s Mission Control Complex-1A operational and transferred custody of its operations to Air Force Space Command.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Upon transferring custody of MCC-1A, Air Force Space Command and the 2nd Space Wing (now the 50th SW) became fully capable to operate and maintain satellites charged to AFSPC. This included the early versions of the Global Positioning System satellites.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is import to remember how Schriever Air Force Base, previously Falcon Air Force Station, went from being the alternate satellite control facility for the Air Force to the primary satellite operations facility for the Air Force,\u201d said James Mesco, 50th SW historian.<\/p>\n
Upon the transfer of Building 400 operations, the wing controlled nine GPS satellites that only supported military users compared to its current 32 satellites that support four billion users globally.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cWithin a few years of the turnover of operations to the 2nd Space Wing, Air Force Space Command added more satellites to the wing\u2019s control including the Defense Support Program, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and the Defense Satellite Communications System,\u201d Mesco said. \u201cThe wing also flew the U.S. Navy\u2019s Fleet Satellites and the NATO communications satellite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mesco said the first military satellites and ground stations began operations 60 years ago. This means the 50th has been the \u201cMaster of Space\u201d for half of the Air Force\u2019s space operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the early 1980\u2019s when Air Force Space Command first came into existence, the Air Force and Department of Defense needed to expand the military space infrastructure,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the time Sunnyvale Air Force Station (later Onizuka AFS) was limited in its ability to grow to handle the new satellite systems such as GPS, DSP, and others on the drawing board for communications and surveillance. Following three years of discussions, Colorado became the choice and the area east of Peterson Air Force Base had the land available to establish a new satellite operations complex called the Consolidate Space Operations Center.\u201d<\/p>\n
This land east of Peterson AFB would eventually become Schriever AFB, named after Gen. Bernard Schriever, whose grandson currently works at the base.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe transfer of Building 400 operations gave a permanent home to the future \u2018Master of Space\u2019 and signified the commitment of the U.S. military to the space mission,\u201d said Lt. Col. Michael Schriever, 2nd Space Operations Squadron director of operations. \u201cI am proud to be a part of the long line of space operators who have been a part of the 50th and continue the traditions of those before like my grandfather.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schriever said recognizing the wing\u2019s heritage is important as the lessons from the past can apply to tomorrow\u2019s victories.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe title \u2018Master of Space\u2019 was not given but earned by the hard work of the wing\u2019s Airmen throughout its history,\u201d he said. \u201cThe 50th Space Wing is constantly finding ways to accomplish the mission more efficiently and with fewer resources while becoming more and more effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the 50th SW has maintained space superiority for 30 years, the wing looks to the future and plans to continue to connect and protect to project space effects.<\/p>\n
\u201cU.S. military space capabilities have grown and this base along with it,\u201d Mesco said. \u201cAs new satellite systems come on line this base will continue to be at the forefront of military space operations for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
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