11th Space Warning Squadron

January 2015 August 2020 11th Space Warning Squadron 11th Space Warning Squadron emblem.png Emblem of the 11th Space Warning Squadron 1994–2002; 2007–present United States Missile Warning 69 members http://gazette.com/air-force-squadron-leaving-colorado-springs-for-new-work-as-space-spies/article/1582100 Roeder Tom Air Force squadron leaving Colorado Springs for new work as space spies 7 August 2016 Colorado Springs Gazette 10 August 2016 Mission Delta 4 Maj Brandon Sais Buckley Space Force Base, ColoradoSpace warning squadron reactivated Allen SSG Sanjay https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/?id=123077959 6 December 2007 460th Space Wing Public Affairs https://web.archive.org/web/20110527211220/http://www.buckley.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123077959 27 May 2011 live 18 July 2009 In The Fight Knight Air Force Meritorious Unit AwardAir Force Outstanding Unit Award The 11th Space Warning Squadron is a United States Space Force missile warning squadron, located at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. Mission The mission of the 11th Space Warning Squadron is to provide theater missile warnings to warfighters worldwide. History The squadron was the first operational unit using technological procedures developed following Desert Storm for the Air Force. Commanders in Saudi Arabia pinpointed a need for more timely and accurate information on incoming short-range ballistic missiles. The technology available was accurate enough, as each Scud missile launched by Iraq was detected by Defense Support Program satellites but wasn't intended for theater use. Commanders in Saudi Arabia needed information quicker and more precise targeting information for anti-missile batteries, such as the Patriot. To meet that need, the Air Force set up a research and development program called TALON SHIELD. The program was tasked to improve and enhance sensor processing from Defense Support Program (DSP) spacecraft to optimize space-based warning support for theater commanders. The first fruit of that study is the Attack and Launch Early Reporting to Theater, or ALERT, system. ALERT uses improved satellite data processing equipment and programs to speed up identifying when missiles anywhere in the world are launched. Improvements to the system have sped up this critical aspect of warfighting ten-fold.April 2020 The Talon Shield system was declared operational, and the 11th Space Warning Squadron was activated on 1 October 1994.July 2026 The squadron used infrared data from the constellation of Defense Support Program satellites to warn deployed troops in the theater of short-range missile launches, as well as significant other events around the globe. The 11th also formerly operated and maintained the Attack and Launch Early Reporting to Theater (ALERT) system, which provided continuous surveillance and early warning of theater missiles and other threats in direct support of theater warfighters worldwide. When the mission control station was completed at Buckley Space Force Base late in 2001 as part of the transition to the Defense Support Program follow-on, Space-Based Infrared System, the squadron mission was reduced, and it was inactivated on 31 December 2002. Senior Airman Matthew E. O'Neil killed a domestic terrorist while a member of 11th Space Warning Squadron on 8 April 2000. The incident was tied back to his service as part of Operation Southern Watch the year before. It is mentioned in the 2025 Amazon audiobook To Kill A Terrorist In Self Defense: The Matthew E. O'Neil Story. The 11th was reactivated at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, in December 2007. The squadron replaced Detachment 1 of the 460th Operations Group. Its new role is to operate the latest Space-Based Infrared Systems satellite payload, using a new sensor in a highly elliptical orbit to provide an increase in warning time and accuracy. In August 2016, the Air Force announced plans to relocate the squadron back to Buckley. The relocated unit focuses on how battlefield commanders can use space-based infrared imagery to find enemies. Although the infrared sensors were designed to detect missile launches, they can detect other heat sources that provide intelligence information. A new system replaced the ground control station the squadron was operating at Schriever Air Force Base. Lineage Constituted as the 11th Space Warning Squadron on 26 September 1994 Activated on 1 October 1994 Inactivated on 31 December 2002 Activated on 3 December 2007 Assignments 21st Operations Group, 1 October 1994 821st Space Group, c. 1 October 1999 21st Operations Group, c. 1 October 2001 – 31 Dec 2002 460th Operations Group. 3 December 2007 – presenthttp://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10035 McCune Christopher Factsheet 460 Operations Group (AFSPC) 8 August 2016 Air Force Historical Research Agency 10 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160826235816/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10035 26 August 2016 dead Stations Falcon Air Force Base (later Schriever Air Force Base), Colorado. 1 October 1994 – 31 December 2002 Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado (2007–2016)af.mil Accessed 18 July 2009. Archived 20 July 2009. Buckley Air Force Base (later Buckley Space Force Base), Colorado (2016–present) Equipment operated Defense Support Program (1994–2002; 2007–present) Attack and Launch Early Reporting to Theater (1994–2002) Space-Based Infrared System (2007–present) Commanders Lt Col Darrell Herriges, 30 Sep 1994 – 1996AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 December 1996) Lt Col Suzanne M. Vautrinot, December 1998 – July 2000Biography of Major General Suzanne M. "Zan" Vautrinot http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=8656 https://web.archive.org/web/20130712092808/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=8656 12 July 2013 Lt Col Holly Weik, 3 December 2007 – 2009 Lt. Col. Shawn Fairhurst, 2009–2011https://archive.today/20110929153100/http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123156673 af.mil 11 SWS change of command slated for 7 July. Accessed 18 July 2009. Archived 20 July 2009. Lt Col Lynn McDonald, 2011–12 June 2013 Lt Col Thomas Colvin, 12 June 2013 – 16 June 2015https://www.schriever.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/275880/new-commander-helms-11-sws/ New commander helms 11 SWS Lt Col Brent Morris, 16 June 2015–https://www.schriever.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/735313/11-sws-changes-command/ 11 SWS changes command 2017 Lt Col Ethan Mattox, 2017–12 June 2018 Lt Col Michael Kruk, 12 June 2018 – 2020https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2001930897/ 11 SWS gains new commander Lt Col Matthew Lohmeier, 2020–14 May 2021https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/15/politics/space-force-lohmeier-fired-after-comments/index.html Space Force commander fired after comments made on conservative podcast Holmes Kristen Starr Barbara "Since taking command as a commander about 10 months ago..." 15 May 2021 CNN 16 May 2021 Maj Amanda Manship (acting), 14 May - 23 September 2021 Lt Col Michael Hall, 24 September 2021–13 July 2023https://www.facebook.com/USSFSpaceDelta4/videos/2968180050061083/ Video www.facebook.com Lt Col Amanda Manship, 14 July 2023 – 11 July 2025https://www.mitchellaerospacepower.org/podcast/11-sws-guardian-perspectives/ 11th Space Warning Squadron: Guardian Perspectives 28 June 2025 Lt Col Michael Cabic, 11 July 2025 - April 2026 Maj Brandon Sais (acting), April 2026 - 4 June 2026 Lt Col Jacob Lynes, 5 June 2026 - present Decorations and awards Meritorious Unit Award 7 October 2001 – 31 March 2002AFHRA FOIA Request 200901085, 4 June 2009 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1997AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997 1 January 1999 – 31 December 1999 1 January 2000 – 31_August 2001 Gen. Seth J. McKee Award for best space warning squadron 2009, 2018https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/?id=123208973 Musal SRA Stephen 11th SWS takes home Gen. Seth McKee award 11 June 2010 460 Space Wing Public Affairs https://web.archive.org/web/20121030115737/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10131 30 October 2012 10 August 2016 live United States Space Force Unit of the Year 2024 References External links Buckley AFB: 460th Space Wing Official Homepage Category:Squadrons of the United States Space Force Category:Military units and formations in Colorado