The 50th Space Communications Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., on Jan. 22 activated the Norfolk Satellite Broadcast Manager site at Norfolk Naval Base, Va. It is the first of three global broadcast service operating locations that the squadron is taking over from the GBS joint program office to increase the operational and maintenance efficiency of the broadcast mission. Lt. Col. Donald Fielden, 50th SCS commander, said during the activation ceremony that his unit “is enthusiastically accepting the challenges” of supporting GBS, which is a space-based, high-capacity broadcast communication system. Activation of the two remaining operating locations at Wahiawa, Hawaii, and Sigonella, Italy, is expected soon. (Schriever report)
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

