5th Space Warning Squadron

5th Space Waring Squadron
5th Space Waring Squadron
	5th Space Warning Squadron emblem
Active	1992-1999, 2023-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Space Force
Type	Space Operations
Role	Missile Warning
Garrison/HQ	Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
Motto(s)	Partnership for Peace
Decorations	AFOUA
Commanders
Current; commander	Lt Col Robert Smith

The United States Space Force's 5th Space Warning Squadron (5 SWS) is a missile warning unit located at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.

It used to be known as the 5th Joint Defense Space Communications Squadron. ^{[citation needed]}

Assignments[edit]

21st Operations Group, 15 May 1992-8 Jun 1995
21st Space Wing, 8 Jun 1995-10 Aug 1999
821st Space Group, 10 Aug 1999-12 Oct 1999
Space Delta 4, 13 Oct 2023-present

Operations[edit]

From 1992 to 1999, the 5th Space Warning Squadron operated the only ground station in the Southern Hemisphere for the Defense Support Program, a space-based system that provides global missile warning.^[1]

Commanders[edit]

Col John Harris, USAF, 1993–1995
Col Henry W. Poburka, USAF, 12 Jul 1995-1997^[2]
Unknown, 1997-1999
Lt Col Michael A. Provencher, USSF, 13 Oct 2023-3 May 2024
Lt Col Robert Smith, USSF, 3 May 2024-present

Station[edit]

Woomera AS, Australia, 15 May 1992-12 Oct 1999
Buckley SFB, Colorado, 13 Oct 2023-present

Decorations[edit]

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 Jan 2000-31 Aug 2001^[3]
- 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999^[4]
- 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997^[5]
- 1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994^[6]
- 1 Sep 1989-31 Aug 1991^[7]
- 2 May 1973 – 1 May 1976^[8]
- 17 Nov 1971-1 May 1973^[9]

References[edit]

^ Endicott, Judy G. (1998). Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995. Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 368–369.
^ AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 Dec 1996)
^ AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001
^ AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000
^ AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 Nov 1997
^ AFSPC Special Order GA-15, 1995
^ AFSPC Special Order GA-095, 1992
^ Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-161, 1977
^ Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-830, 1973

[1] Endicott, Judy G. (1998). Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995. Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 368–369.

[2] AFHRA FOIA Req 09-0061: 21st Space Wing Roster of Key Personnel (as of 31 Dec 1996)

[3] AFSPC Special Order GA-10, 2001

[4] AFSPC Special Order GA-97, 2000

[5] AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 Nov 1997

[6] AFSPC Special Order GA-15, 1995

[7] AFSPC Special Order GA-095, 1992

[8] Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-161, 1977

[9] Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-830, 1973

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