45th Space Wing

45th Space Wing

The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a Delta IV-Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-32 classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office 21 November 2010 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Active 1949-Present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Satellite Launch
Part of Air Force Space Command
Garrison/HQ Patrick Air Force Base
Motto(s) Control of the battlefield begins here
Mascot(s) Sharks
Decorations

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (12x)

  • Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (3x)

  • Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Commanders
Current
commander
Brig Gen Wayne R. Monteith[1]
Notable
commanders
Donald G. Cook
Lt.Gen. Susan Helms
Robert C. Hinson
Insignia
Emblem of the 45th Space Wing

The 45th Space Wing (45 SW) is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force, stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It commands Patrick AFB and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The mission of the 45th Space Wing (45 SW) is to assure access to the high frontier and to support global operations.

The wing currently operates a number of rockets and missiles, including the Delta IV and Atlas V, and provides support for the Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial manned and unmanned space programs. The wing formerly operated the recently discontinued Titan IV rocket. It employs 9,512 military and civilians.[2] Since August 4, 2015, it is under the command of Brigadier General Wayne R. Monteith.[1]

The wing commander formerly served as the deputy DOD manager for the Department of Defense Manned Space Flight Support Office.

Units

Major units assigned to the 45 SW are:

The 45th Launch Group participates in receipt, inspection, processing, test, and launch of all flight hardware to ensure the successful launch of satellites to support national and Combatant Commander requirements
5th Space Launch Squadron
Located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, the 45th Operations Group operates the Eastern Range and launches space vehicles for Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, the United States, and international commercial customers.

History

See also: 45th Operations Group; 45th Launch Group; 6555th Aerospace Test Group for additional lineage and history.

Organized to maintain and operate the proving ground facilities in coordination and collaboration with other agencies of the national guided missile program. Provided static and flight testing to meet requirements of Army, Navy, and Air Force research and development programs, including operational experimentation and training.

From May 1950 to May 1951, had separate operating agency status, assigned directly to Headquarters, United States Air Force. Maintained and operated the Eastern Test Range and affiliated facilities in support of Department of Defense (DOD), National Air and Space Administration (NASA), US Air Force, and other test and evaluation agencies, 1951–1977 and after 1979.

Operated "Down-Range" facilities at Antigua, Ascension Island, and Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida, 1951–1977 and after 1979.

After Oct 1979, launched DOD payloads into orbit and collected flight data for evaluation of ballistic missile systems launched from Eastern Launch sites for DOD, NASA, and commercial customers. Gave support for DOD manned/unmanned, NASA manned/unmanned, and commercial unmanned space programs while providing "host wing" responsibilities at Patrick AFB.

45th Space Wing accomplishments are:[3]

Missions have included:

Lineage

Re-designated: Long Range Proving Ground Division on 16 May 1950
Re-designated: Air Force Missile Test Center on 30 Jun 1951
Re-designated: Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) on 15 May 1964
Inactivated on 1 Feb 1977
Re-designated: 45th Space Wing (45 SW) on 12 Nov 1991

Assignments

Components

Wings

Groups

Squadrons

Stations

See also

Notes

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

  1. 1 2 45th Space Wing
  2. King, Ledyard (January 27, 2012). "High-tech focus may favor Brevard". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 2A.
  3. [Delta II and III Space Operations at Cape Canaveral, 1989 – 2009. by Mark C. Cleary 45th SPACE WING History Office]

External links

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