NAVSPASUR transition

http://www.navycompass.com/news/newsview.asp?c=129678

Navy Transfers Space Surveillance Mission to Air Force
Friday, October 29, 2004
By Gary R. Wagner - Naval Network and Space Operations Command

DAHLGREN, Va. - The Navy transferred operation of the
former Naval Space Surveillance System, the nation's oldest
sensor built to rack satellites and debris in orbit around
the Earth, to the Air Force during formal ceremonies, Oct. 1.

The Secretary of Defense had directed the Navy to transfer
program management of the system to the Air Force beginning in
October 2003. The Air Force requested that the Navy continue
to operate the space surveillance sensor, also known as the
"Fence," through fiscal year 2004.

The newly created 20th Space Control Squadron (20th SPCS)
Det. 1 assumes operation of the Fence from the Naval Network
and Space Operations Command (NNSOC). At the establishment
ceremony, Rear Adm. John Cryer, the commander for NNSOC,
reminded the audience that the nation's space surveillance
mission has been a joint service effort from its earliest
beginnings.

[snip]

"Even as the Navy developed the unique capability we have
in the Fence, we have always worked closely with the Air
Force," which is responsible for maintaining space control,
Cryer emphasized. "We will continue that tradition of joint
service cooperation in the years ahead."

Cryer expressed pride in the command's employees, who have
been critical to the success of the Navy's space surveillance
operation for the past several decades.

"And I'm pleased the Air Force has elected to continue
operation of the Fence from Dahlgren, partly in recognition
of the invaluable expertise our personnel bring to the
mission," he continued.

[snip]

In addition to assuming operation of the Navy's space
surveillance system, the 20th SPCS Det. 1 is also taking on
the Alternate Space Control Center (ASCC) mission, which was
first assigned to NAVSPASUR in 1987. In its ASCC role,
NAVSPASUR - followed by Naval Space Command and finally NNSOC
- served as the backup computational and command and control
node for the Space Control Center at Cheyenne Mountain Air
Force Base, Colo.

The new Air Force detachment is a component of the 20th
Space Control Squadron headquartered at Eglin Air Force
Base in Florida. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. James Hogan,
squadron commander, presented the detachment's new flag to
Maj. Donald Daugherty, the unit's first officer in charge.

"For 43 years, the Navy has stood watch over space with
the Fence, and has one of the first seats at the table of
space surveillance," Hogan said. "In addition, the Navy has
operated the free world's only Alternate Space Control Center
for 17 years.

"Today marks this country's continued commitment to these
two very important missions," Lt., Col. Hogan emphasized.
"Through the Air Force's strong cadre of space professionals,
we stand before you today, ready to accept this role."

Approximately 60 civilian personnel at Dahlgren - former
NNSOC employees who directly support Fence and ASCC operations
- will continue to work in their current functions, only as
Air Force employees. Eleven Air Force military personnel
have reported aboard as the first uniformed members of 20th
SPCS Det. 1.

An additional 100-plus contractor personnel will continue to
support Dahlgren operations and operate nine remote field
stations that make up the space surveillance sensor.

--------------------

http://www.peterson.af.mil/21sw/libr...ets/20spcs.htm

20th SPACE CONTROL SQUADRON
Commander: Lt Col James J. Hogan

The 20th Space Control Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.,
tracks nearly 8,300 near–Earth and deep–space objects. The
squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space
Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

THE 20th SPCS ...

Tracks man–made objects in Earth's orbit, around the clock,
in any weather

Supports the USSTRATCOM commander in chief and theater
warfighter's requirements through continuous surveillance
of on–orbit satellites

Operates and maintains the Air Force's phased–array space
surveillance system dedicated to tracking space objects

MISSION

The 20th SPCS executes a space control mission by performing
all–weather, day–night location and tracking of man–made
objects, and supports USCINCSPACE and theater warfighters'
requirements through continuous surveillance of orbiting
satellites. The 20th SPCS operates and maintains the AN/FPS–85
Phased Array Radar, the only phased array radar dedicated to
tracking over 8,300 near–earth and deep–space objects.