The 4th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., received satellite control authority of the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications satellite during a recent transfer ceremony, said base officials. The MILSATCOM Program Office, a division of the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, has had satellite control authority over AEHF-3 since its launch in September, states a March 27 release. The satellite reached geosynchronous orbit in January. “The operational position of the satellite, and hence its coverage area, is up to US Strategic Command. We are prepared to support users and the combatant commands’ needs wherever the satellite is finally positioned,” said Lt. Col. Alistair Funge, 4th SOPS operations officer, in the release. The transfer ceremony took place March 21. The fourth AEHF vehicle is tentatively slated to launch into space in 2015, states the release.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
