The Colorado Air National Guard activated the 233rd Space Group earlier this month during a ceremony at Greeley ANG Station. The group falls under the state’s 140th Wing, which is headquartered at Buckley Air Force Base. The new unit grew out of the 137th Space Warning Squadron that has been operating since 1996, according to a Greeley release. The new group is responsible for employing the nation’s only strategic, survivable mobile ground system that reports early warning data on missile launches to the National Command Authority. The group’s mission is “a national treasure,” said Brig. Gen. Trulan Eyre, 140th WG commander. The stand-up ceremony took place on March 10. The group’s subordinate units include: the now-smaller and streamlined 137th SWS, the 233rd Space Communications Squadron, 233rd Security Forces Squadron, and 233rd Logistics Readiness Flight. (Greeley report by 1st Lt. Ben Garland)
Boeing’s receipt of the 10th lot contract award for the KC-46 Pegasus this week leaves just three lots left to complete the Air Force’s buy of the tanker, although a further buy of 75 additional aircraft as a “bridge” to the Next-Generation Aerial-refueling System (NGAS) seems increasingly likely.