For 12 hours on Nov. 8, an all-Air Force Reserve Command crew were the sole handlers for the Space-Based Infrared System Highly Elliptical Orbit satellites, operating from the mission control station back-up at Schriever AFB, Colo., according to a Dec. 15 release. The airmen are members of the Reserve Associate unit Det. 1, 8th Space Warning Squadron, 310th Space Wing at Schriever. “This historic event marked the second time in the history of space-based missile warning that an all-Reserve crew performed missile warning,” said Lt. Col. Mark Gruenewald, Det. 1 commander. He continued, saying that the first time was on Nov. 3, 2002, when the 8th SWS “performed SBIRS Increment 1 operations using legacy Defense Support Program satellites out of the Mission Control Station at Buckley Air Force Base [Colo.].” (Det. 1 report by Lt. Col. Andrew Peeples)
Space Force Adds Unit Tying Acquisition to Test and Training
Sept. 18, 2025
The Space Force has introduced a host of new and revamped deltas in recent months to tighten the ties between acquisition and operations. Now, a new unit is adding training to the mix.
