50th Space Communications Squadron

The 50th Space Communications Squadron (50 SCS) is a squadron of the United States Space Force located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The squadron provides command and control systems, configuration control, and systems integrations for seven Department of Defense space programs including $8.2 billion Space Force Satellite Control Network supporting $50 billion in national satellite and terrestrial systems for United States, allied, and coalition forces.

50th Space Communications Squadron
50 SCS emblem
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Space Force
RoleTactical communications
SizeSquadron
Part ofSpace Operations Command
Garrison/HQSchriever Air Force Base, Colorado
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Shane M. Warren

The squadron operates and maintains 22 Defense Information Systems Agency nodes providing secure and unsecure voice and data communications for over 485 worldwide sites as well as over $100 million in base infrastructure supporting over 8,900 personnel.

The 50 SCS has been operating and maintaining Global Broadcast Service (GBS) since February 2009 and is working on transitioning it to a new Defense Enterprise Computing Center architecture.[1]

50 SCS manages U.S. Space Force's Global Command and Control System.[2]

The squadron administers the MAJCOM Communications Coordination Center overseeing command and control of AFSPC-wide mission-unique communications as well as operating and maintaining the command's Global Command and Control System and Space Digital Information Network.[3]

When the 850th Space Communications Squadron was inactivated on January 31, 2006, most of its functions and personnel were incorporated into 50 SCS.[4]

Chain of command

Lineage
  • Constituted 50th Communications Squadron, November 15, 1952
  • Activated, January 1, 1953
  • Discontinued and inactivated, July 1, 1962
  • Activated, March 1, 1991
  • Inactivated, September 30, 1991
  • Redesignated 50th Satellite Communications Squadron, January 1, 1992
  • Activated, January 30, 1992
  • Redesignated 50th Space Communications Squadron, July 1, 1992
  • Redesignated 50th Communications Squadron, December 1, 1997
  • Redesignated 50th Space Communications Squadron, October 1, 2002

Assignments
  • 50th Air Base (later 50th Combat Support) Group, January 1, 1953 – July 1, 1962
  • 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 May – September 30, 1991
  • 50th Operations Group, January 30, 1992
  • 50th Communications Group, December 1, 1997
  • 50th Maintenance Group, October 1, 2002
  • 50th Communications Group, June 1, 2003 – March 9, 2004
  • 50th Network Operations Group, March 10, 2004 – 2020
  • 50th Mission Support Group, 2020 - present (due to reorganizations that happened due to the standup of the United States Space Force)

Stations
  • Clovis AFB, NM, January 1 – July 23, 1953
  • Hahn AB, Germany, August 10, 1953
  • Toul-Rosieres AB, France, July 10, 1956
  • Hahn AB, Germany, September 1, 1959 – July 1, 1962
  • Hahn AB, Germany, 1 May – September 30, 1991
  • Falcon Air Force Station (later Base, later Schriever AFB), CO, January 30, 1992

Commanders
  • Lt Col Jody D. Acres, January 30, 1992? – July 12, 1994
  • Maj Robert M. Flowers, July 13, 1994 – August 4, 1996
  • Lt Col Charles H. Ayala, August 5, 1996 – July 22, 1998
  • Lt Col Michael J. Kelley, July 23, 1998 – March 22, 2000
  • Lt Col Thomas T. Shields, March 23, 2000 – November 2, 2000
  • Lt Col Mark L. Hinchman, November 3, 2000 – December 17, 2000
  • Lt Col Mona Lisa D. Tucker, December 18, 2000 – June 25, 2002
  • Lt Col Michael J. Clark, June 26, 2002 – July 6, 2004
  • Lt Col Mark G. Langenderfer, July 7, 2004 – July 9, 2006
  • Lt Col Donovan L. Routsis, July 10, 2006 – August 18, 2008
  • Lt Col Donald Fielden, August 19, 2008 – February 3, 2010[5]
  • Lt Col Fred H. Taylor, February 4, 2010 – August 6, 2012[6]
  • Lt Col Lynn Plunkett, August 7, 2012 – July 9, 2014[7]
  • Lt Col David A. Case, July 9, 2014 - July 19, 2016 [8]
  • Lt Col Heather Uhl, July 19, 2016 - June 21, 2018
  • Lt Col Anthony L. Lang, June 21, 2018 - June 22, 2020
  • Lt Col Shane M. Warren, June 22, 2020 - Present

Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award:

  • July 1, 1990 – August 5, 1991[9]
  • October 1, 1998 – September 30, 2000
  • October 1, 2000 – October 1, 2001[10]
  • October 1, 2001 – October 1, 2002[11]
  • October 2, 2002 – October 1, 2003
  • October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2009[12]

Emblem

Description (blazon)

Azure gridlined as a globe Argent, a gauntlet issuant from sinister base bendwise Silver Gray issuing a lightning flash between two arcing lightning flashes bendwise Or; all within a diminished bordure Sable. Attached above the disc a Gray scroll edged with a narrow Black border. Attached below the disc a Gray scroll edged with a narrow Black border and inscribed "COMM FOR THE WARFIGHTER" in Black letters.

Significance

Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The globe represents the earth. The gauntlet denotes power and the flexibility of space communications. The lightning bolts symbolize communications through teamwork and unity which result in swift and accurate striking power.

See also

References
  1. Scott Prater, 50 SCS prepares for GBS transition, 4/11/2012 Archived February 28, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "50 SCS maintains command's deployment tool". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. May 15, 2012. Archived from the original on February 27, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  3. Staff Sgt. Stacy D. Foster, 50th SCS welcomes new commander, August 20, 2008, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs Archived February 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Staff Sgt. Don Branum, 850th SCS inactivates at ceremony, 2/8/2006, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs Archived February 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. 50th SCS welcomes new commander, August 20, 2008 Archived February 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  6. New 50th SCS commander: Challenges opportunity for success Archived May 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, February 8, 2010
  7. 50 SCS welcomes new commander Archived February 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "50 SCS receives new commander". Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  9. USAFE GA-246, 1991
  10. AFSPC GA-11, 2001
  11. AFSPC GA-08, 2002
  12. AFSPC GA-14, 2009
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