18th Space Control Squadron

The mission of the 18th SPCS is to deliver foundational Space Situational Awareness to assure global freedom of action in space.[3]

The 18th Space Surveillance Squadron (SPSS) was the optical portion of the United States Air Force's Space Surveillance Network. They were responsible for operating four worldwide GEODSS sites, in addition to the Transportable Optical System (TOS), and the Maui Space Surveillance Complex (MSSC). The focal point for all optical command and control was centralized at the Optical Command, Control and Communications Facility (OC3F). The 18 SPSS became part of the 1st Space Wing, Air Force Space Command, on 1 February 1990.

The unit was reassigned from the 1st Space Wing to the 73d Space Group on 15 May 1992.

The 18th SPSS relocated to Edwards Air Force Base, California in July 1995. The 73rd Space Group was inactivated in May 1995 and all units were then assigned to the 21st Space Wing. With a force-wide renaming of space units, the 18th SPSS became the 18th Space Control Squadron (18 SPCS) in February 2003. This renaming did not last long, however, since the unit was inactivated in June 2004, with all detachments falling under the 21st Operations Group.

On 22 July 2016, the 18th Space Control Squadron was reinstated at Vandenberg Air Force Base.[4] The squadron has a mission focused on space situational awareness in support of launches, object and debris tracking, and human spaceflight.[5][6]

• Lt Col Justin Sorice, June 18, 2019[7]

• 18 SPSS, Detachment 1 - Socorro, New Mexico
• 18 SPSS, Detachment 2 - Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories
• 18 SPSS, Detachment 3 - Maui, Hawaii
• 18 SPSS, Detachment 4 - Morón AB, Spain[8]

• 18th Space Control Squadron (February 2003 - June 2004)
• 18th Space Surveillance Squadron (1 November 1966 – 1 October 1975; 1 February 1990-1994)

[9]

• Vandenberg AFB, California (22 July 2016 – Present)
• Edwards AFB, California (1 November 1994 – 2004)
• Peterson AFB, Colorado (1 February 1990 – 1 November 1994)
• Edwards AFB, California (1 January 1967 – 1 October 1975)

• Ground-based Electro Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (February 1990 – 2004)
• Baker-Nunn satellite tracking cameras (January 1967-October 1975)

[10]

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[11]
  • 1 October 1997 – 30 September 1999[12]
  • 1 January 1998 – 31 December 1998[13]
  • 1 October 1995 – 30 September 1997[14]
  • 8 July 1970 – 7 July 1971[15]