| 5th Space Surveillance Squadron | |
|---|---|
 5th Space Surveillance Squadron emblem | |
| Active | 1989-2003 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Space Surveillance |
| Role | Data Acquisition |
| Size | 132 American/3 British |
| Part of | AFSPC |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom |
| Motto(s) | TRACKING THE DEEP |
| Decorations |
 AFOUA |
The United States Air Force's 5th Space Surveillance Squadron (5 SSS) was a space surveillance unit located at RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom.
Mission[]
The mission of the 5 SSS was to operate the Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) system and Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) to gather space intelligence and track space systems in both near- and far-Earth orbits.
History[]
The dual LASS/DSTS operation supported USAF space intelligence requirements, while being assisted by the 18th Intelligence Squadron's Det 4 for SIGINT support.[1] This coverage augmented worldwide coverage of space signals activities at similarly equipped sites at Misawa AB, Japan, Osan AB, Republic of Korea and at Griffiss AFB in the United States.[2]
The Deep Space Tracking System uses sensitive, highly accurate 20-foot dish antennas to detect and track S-band radio signals transmitted by radio beacons on most satellites. There were DSTS receivers located at Griffiss AFB, New York; RAF Feltwell, Great Britain; and Misawa AB, Japan. [3]
The 5 SSS was inactivated in 2003, with administration of RAF Feltwell transferred to Detachment 4, 18th Intelligence Squadron.
Previous designations[4][]
- 5th Space Surveillance Squadron (1989–2003)
Bases stationed[]
- RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom (1989–2003)
Commanders[]
- Lt Col John Amrine (June 1999-July 2000)[5]
- Lt Col John W. Raymond (April 2000 - June 2001)[6]
- Lt Col Steven R. Prebeck (28 September 1996-???)[7]
- Lt Col James L. Burling, Jr. (August 1994-28 September 1996)[8]
Equipment Operated[9][]
- Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) (1989–2003)
- Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) (1989–2003)
See also[]
- 1st Space Surveillance Squadron
- 3d Space Experimentation Squadron
- 18th Intelligence Squadron
- 21st Space Wing
Decorations[]
References[]
 |
Constructs such as ibid., loc. cit. and idem are discouraged for footnotes, as they are easily broken. Please improve this article by replacing them with named references, or an abbreviated title. (July 2014) |
- ↑ Richelson, J. The US Intelligence Community, 4th Edition
- ↑ GLOBALSECURITY.ORG: 21st Space Wing
- ↑ SatObs.org: "US Space Surveillance Network", 8 Jan 1996
- ↑ Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
- ↑ Official Biography of Colonel Amrine
- ↑ Peterson AFB Public Affairs: Col Raymond's Official Biography
- ↑ AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996)
- ↑ Ibid
- ↑ World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3
- ↑ AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001
- ↑ AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000
- ↑ AFSPC Special Order GA-62, 6 December 1999
- ↑ AFSPC Special Order GA-58, 6 December 1999
- ↑ AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997
The original article can be found at 5th Space Surveillance Squadron and the edit history here.