310th SG adds counter-space mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David D. Morton
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFRC) - The 310th Space Group continues to grow. The group has added another unit to its roster as it moves closer to becoming a fully operational space wing. 

Constituted by personnel from the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron and others selectively chosen due to their technical backgrounds, the 310th SG's newly activated Detachment 1 is the Reserve Associate Unit to the 21st Space Wing's 16th Space Control Squadron. 

"The 16th SPCS, commanded by Lt. Col. Edd Allard, is our active duty counterpart in executing the Rapid Attack Identification Detection System Block 10 mission," said Lt. Col. Mike Assid, Det. 1 commander. "RAIDRS is the Air Force's new 'system of systems' designed to provide next-generation counterspace capabilities to warfighters. The Block 10 systems will detect and geolocate sources of satellite communications jamming." 

The active duty and Reserve units will jointly conduct around-the-clock operations from a central operating location on Peterson Air Force Base and other deployed locations throughout the world, actively monitoring thousands of warfighter satellite communication links and detecting satellite jamming attempts on those signals. 

"Once interference is detected, 16th SPCS and Det. 1 operators will intercept and collect (data) on the jamming signals and geolocate the source of the jamming," said Colonel Assid. "This generates a geolocation ellipse that is up-channeled for prosecution as a target or other action higher up the chain of command." 

Not all interference, however, is deliberate jamming. 

"Many times it's inadvertent, the result of operator error or equipment misconfiguration," said the colonel. "We treat everyone equally, and all jamming is presumed hostile until proven otherwise. 

"Inadvertent satellite interference is pretty common," he added. "Folks will mess up their SATCOM configuration and start walking on other signals ... it happens all the time. For satellite owner-operators, time equals money. So they have a compelling reason to locate and remove sources of interference. Additionally, some people pirate transponder time on civilian SATCOM birds." 

As the Air Force space mission continues to evolve and create new mission requirements, so does the reliance to fill positions with reserve personnel. 

"The RAIDRS Block 10 mission is a joint effort between the Air Force Space Command and Air Force Reserve Command. It's a major win for both," said Colonel Assid. "At a time of severe budget cuts and continuing personnel shortages, RAIDRS Block 10 required a Total Force solution." 

For RAIDRS to be successful, people with expertise need to be in place. That's where the 26th SAS comes into play. 

"AFSPC, through the 21st SW, has operational direction on the RAIDRS Block 10 mission, while AFRC provides critical manpower and space control expertise," said Col. Jeff Ansted, 310th SG commander. "That's why we turned to our Reserve Space Aggressors to form the core cadre for Det. 1: the Air Force's subject matter experts in SATCOM jamming come from the 26th SAS." 

Space aggressor squadron members seem to be more than adequately equipped to meet challenges that comes with the new mission. 

"One of the strengths of the space aggressors is the broad range of experience brought to the table," said Colonel Assid. "I think there is something like 23 different Air Force Specialty Codes in the squadron, ranging from combat aviators of various stripes to intelligence personnel to engineers to space bubbas like me." 

The diverse background of personnel should serve as a benefit when Det. 1 becomes a fully-operational squadron in October with an estimated manning of 41 Active Guard Reserve and 49 traditional Reserve members, and efforts underway to secure an appropriate lineage for the new reserve space control squadron's mission. 

"We have submitted a request through our wing historian to the Air Force Historical Research Agency," said Colonel Assid. "Until we get some feedback from AFHRA, it would be premature to reveal the squadron designator we've requested. For now, let's say we're trying to reactivate one of the original WWII-era squadrons of the 310th Bombardment Group (M). 

"With the 310th SG becoming a wing this year, we felt it was time to finally bring back one of the legacy squadrons. The 310th flew more missions than any other medium bomb group in the European theater in WWII and has a very colorful history. It's a great heritage - one trend we hope to continue for the new 310th SW squadrons."