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The 22nd Space Operations Squadron provides scheduling for Department of Defense satellites, however, it\u2019s the unit\u2019s defensive counter-space operators who provide the first line of defense for the DoD satellites.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe monitor signals from satellites and make sure they\u2019re as clean as possible,\u201d said Staff Sgt. Caleb Shackelford, 22nd SOPS DSCO operator. \u201cWe monitor frequencies for anomalies or interferences, whether that be hostile, friendly, space or ground based.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 22nd SOPS is responsible for scheduling the time on satellites to support commanding and telemetry downloads.<\/p>\n
\u201cDSCOs are the eyes and ears of the Air Force satellite control network,\u201d Tech. Sgt. Michael Vandenbosch, 22nd SOPS DSCO said. \u201cThe AFSCN is the network our users operate to communicate with satellites. It\u2019s a global network of antennas used to send and receive signals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vandenbosch said DSCOs are important because users need to be able to get clean data to and from satellites.
\n\u201cWe monitor interference and use it to tell operators how to alter their schedules to avoid any satellite damage,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we didn\u2019t do our job, it\u2019d be more difficult to categorize interferences and where they come from. The process would take much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n
DSCOs work daily to detect interferences to provide security to the nation, the two types of interferences in the DSCOs world are electro-magnetic interference and radio frequency interference.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpace is involved in almost everything now,\u201d Vandenbosch said. \u201cThe fact we have the capability to be nearly anywhere through our satellites is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before working as a 22nd SOPS DSCO, Shackelford was a tactical special operations communications Airman, working primarily with Air Force tactical air control party Airmen.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone knows Special Forces is the \u2018tip of the spear,\u2019 but space is just as important,\u201d he said. \u201cWarfighters across the globe rely on operators here to perform their duties at an exceptional level.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Shackelford wasn\u2019t a space operator by trade, he was the first DSCO in the 22nd SOPS<\/p>\n
\u201cThe position really became a thing in 2016,\u201d he said. \u201c[Brig. Gen. Deanna Burt, Air Force Space Command director of operations] pushed to have the defensive counter-space role on AFSCN operations to monitor for interference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since the stand-up of the position in 2016, DSCOs have been providing clean and uncorrupted data to its users.<\/p>\n
\u201cInformation is power and that\u2019s exactly what we provide,\u201d Vandenbosch said. \u201cWe enable our users to know what\u2019s out there and what\u2019s affecting their satellites.\u201d<\/p>\n
The United States space superiority isn\u2019t a given, it\u2019s through the work of its operators the mission is accomplished at such a high level.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs more countries get involved, more satellites are launched, and the more congested space, there\u2019s a higher likelihood to be more satellite interference,\u201d Shackelford said. \u201cBy providing situational awareness to our operators, we\u2019re able to improve our space superiority as an Air Force.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n