10th Space Warning Squadron

The United States Air Force's 10th Space Warning Squadron (10 SWS), is a missile warning unit located at Cavalier AFS, North Dakota.

10th Space Warning Squadron
10th Space Warning Squadron emblem
Active	1986-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Space Force
Type	Space Warning
Role	Missile Warning
Part of	USAF Squadron
Garrison/HQ	Cavalier AFS, North Dakota
Nickname(s)	Spartans
Motto(s)	INSTANT TO WATCHFUL INSTANT
Decorations	AFOUA

Mission

10 SWS provides tactical warning and attack assessment of sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles launched against the continental United States and southern Canada. Additionally, 10 SWS provides surveillance, tracking and space object identification for the USAF Space Surveillance Network (SSN).

History

The unit was originally the acquisition radar portion of the United States' only operational anti-ballistic missile system, known as SAFEGUARD. Due to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (SALT II), components of the SAFEGUARD complex, with the exception of the PARCS radar at Cavalier Air Force Station, were deactivated in February 1976. The forerunner of the present day 10th SWS began passing tactical warning and attack assessment data to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colo., in January 1977. In December 1979 the unit was transferred from Aerospace Defense Command to Strategic Air Command. The unit, as it exists today, joined Air Force Space Command in 1983 as Detachment 5, 1st Space Wing. On 10 July 1986, the unit was redesignated as the 10th Missile Warning Squadron, and was activated on 1 August 1986. It was renamed the 10th Space Warning Squadron on May 15, 1992, when the 1st Space Wing and 3d Space Support Wing were inactivated and the 21st Space Wing was activated.

Previous Designations

• 10th Space Warning Squadron (15 May 1992–Present)
• 10th Missile Warning Squadron (10 July 1986 – 15 May 1992)
• Detachment 5, 1st Space Wing (1983-10 July 1986)

Assignments

Major Command

• Air Force Space Command (10 July 1983–Present)
• Strategic Air Command (1979–1983)
• Aerospace Defense Command (??-1979)

Numbered Air Force

• 14th Air Force (??-Present)

Wing/Group

• 21st Space Wing (15 May 1992–Present)
• 1st Space Wing (1983-15 May 1992)

Commanders

• Lt Col Ryan Durand
• Lt Col Stephen A. Hobbs
• Lt Col John M. Koehler II (2015-2017)
• Lt Col Michelle R. Kneupper
• Lt Col Lorinda Frederick (2011-2013)
• Lt Col Keith Balts
• Lt Col Ling Yung (c. 2005)
• Lt Col Donald T. Kidd (19 August 1996-???)[1]

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  • 1 January 1998 – 31 December 1998[2]
  • 1 October 1997 – 30 September 1999[3]
  • 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1997[4]
  • 1 October 1988 – 30 November 1989[5]

References

1. AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996)
2. AFSPC Special Order GA-62, 6 December 1999
3. AFSPC Special Order GA-58, 6 December 1999
4. AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997
5. AFHRA Lineage and Honors: 10th Space Warning Squadron

External links

• 10th Space Warning Squadron site