114th Space Control Squadron

The United States Air Force's 114th Space Control Squadron (SPCS) is a Florida Air National Guard unit located at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. It is operationally gained by the United States Space Force.

114th Space Control Squadron
114th Space Control Squadron emblem
Active1989–current.
CountryUnited States
BranchFlorida Air National Guard
TypeOffensive and Defensive Space Control
HeadquartersPatrick Space Force Base
Nickname(s)Thundercats, Space Panthers
Motto(s)"Sure and Swift", "Silence Right Meow"
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Scott McGuire

Mission

The 114 SPCS mission is two-fold:  First, to deliver offensive counterspace and space situational awareness, as appropriate, to rapidly achieve flexible and versatile effects in support of global and theater campaigns and to provide mission-ready citizen-Airmen and equipment to Combatant Commanders in support of operations worldwide.  Second, as an Air National Guard asset the 114 SPCS is also available for state contingencies (hurricanes, floods, fires, domestic response, etc.) and is subject to activation by the Governor of Florida in times of emergency.  Its primary mission, once activated, is to man the Emergency Support Function #5 (Information and Planning) at the State Emergency Operations Center - Tallahassee, FL which involves collecting, analyzing, processing and disseminating information for potential or actual disasters/emergencies in order for Federal Government agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected hard-hit areas.[1]

History

The 114th Communications Squadron was Federally recognized on 15 May 1989. Originally conceived to provide manning for pre-positioned NATO satellite communications terminals in the event of war against the Soviet Union, the unit mission was labeled NABS, or NATO Air Base Satellite.[2] At the time it was equipped with only one TSC-85B terminal for training and 35 members. There were only two career fields offered to traditional guard members, satellite communications and electrical power production. Patrick AFB was selected as its home location because the 2nd Communications Group was also located at Patrick and could provide training and mentorship. The level of highly technical industries in the local area also factored to place the 114th in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

The first commander of the 114th Communications Squadron, Lt. Col. Robert Chandler took the lead from its inception until January 1991, driving the recruiting and organizational efforts. This was when the worldwide legacy began, with support of operations in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.[3]

The next commander was Col. David Barnhart. Col. Barnhart led the 114th from January 1991 to September 1994. During Col. Barnhart's tenure, the team's experience grew exponentially: not only were operational missions conducted in Spain, Germany, Italy, Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Colombia, but now humanitarian efforts drew members to hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica and south Florida. Additionally, various stateside exercises, including Coronet Stroke and Combat Challenge, tested the fiber of the already mature unit. The squadron redesignated as the 114th Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS) 1 October 1992.[4] In January 1994, the 114th received its first Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.[5]

The BMRST system on station at the Kodiak Launch Complex, Kodiak, Alaska. Members of the 114th CBCS, Patrick AFB, Florida, deployed here for over a month in preparation for the launch of the Quick Reaction Launch Vehicle (QRLV) during Exercise NORTHERN EDGE.

Lt. Col. Michele Agee assumed command in September 1994. She led the unit through further expansion with missions in Haiti, Panama, Egypt, Croatia, Morocco and Bosnia along with numerous events in Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah.[6] In 1995, the squadron began building up the 114th Range Flight to support 45th Space Wing launch operations. These members were co-located with the 45th Range Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Master Sgt. Greg Jones (left) and Master Sgt. Dan Alonso, both of the 114th Range Operations Squadron, discuss launch safety for the final shuttle mission.

In January 1998, Maj. Daniel Bates took command, with personnel already deployed to Bosnia and later to Italy. In 1999, a partnership with the Air Force Research Lab was established to develop the Ballistic Missile Range Safety Technology (BMRST) system. The 114th CBCS personnel were commissioned to provide support to the program. In January 2001, 114th CBCS deployed to the Kodiak Launch Complex, Kodiak, Alaska, to demonstrate the BMRST system's ability to rapidly deploy, set up and support a rocket launch with the Quick Reaction Launch Vehicle (QRLV) rocket launching from this site.

After 11 Sept. 2001, large elements of the squadron deployed to Qatar and MacDill Air Force Base in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, the 114th CBCS received its second Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The unit deployed to Kodiak again in May 2002 for a second QRLV launch.[7]

In 2005, The 114th CBCS was re-designated the 114th Range Operations Squadron, their mission was to provide survivable and reliable satellite voice and data communications for command control and logistics in support of United States Air Force, Air Combat Command, and NATO communications requirements. They supported launch range operation tracking of the Space Transportation System, Atlas, Delta, and Titan launches.

The 114th received its third Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 2009.[8]

In 2011, the 114th supported the launch of the final Space Shuttle Mission.[9]

Due to US Air Force structure changes announced in March 2012, the 114 ROPS was scheduled for inactivation on 1 October 2012.[10] However, this decision was reversed and instead the unit assumed a new mission as the 114th Space Operations Squadron in April 2014.[11] The first commander of the newly renamed squadron was Lt Col (ret) Johnny Malpass.

Previous designations
  • 114th Range Operations Squadron, 2005–2014
  • 114th Combat Communications Squadron, 1992–2005[12]
  • 114th Communications Squadron (NABS), 1989–1992

Previous Commanders
  • Lt Col (ret) Kyle Beatty, 2017–2020
  • Lt Col (ret) Johnny Malpass, 2012–2017
  • Lt Col (ret) Todd M. Oller, 2007–2012
  • Lt Col (ret) Rembert N Schofield, 2003–2007
  • Lt Col (ret) Daniel P. Bates, 1998–2003
  • Lt Col (ret) Michele M. Agee, 1994–1998
  • Col (ret) David H. Barnhart, 1991–1994
  • Lt Col (ret) Robert Chandler, 1989–1991

Bases stationed
  • Patrick Space Force Base, Florida (current)
  • Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida (current)

Equipment operated
  • (1989-1991) TSC-85B Satellite Communications Terminal TSC-93B SATCOM[13]
  • (2001-2014) Ballistic Missile Range Safety Technology (BMRST)

References
  1. "114th Space Control Squadron". 125th Fighter Wing. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  2. Ensslin, Robert (15 March 1990). "Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida- 1989" (PDF).
  3. Ensslin, Robert (10 January 1992). "Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Florida- 1991" (PDF).
  4. Harrison, Ronald (28 December 1992). "REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA- 1992" (PDF).
  5. Harrison, Ronald (10 February 1995). "Report of the Adjutant General of Florida- 1994" (PDF).
  6. Harrison, Ronald (1 April 1997). "Adjutant General's Report- Fiscal Year 1996" (PDF).
  7. "114th Combat Communications Sq" (PDF). 12 October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  8. "Air Force names outstanding ANG units". National Guard. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  9. "National Guard August 2011 Page 104". www.nationalguardmagazine.com. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  10. "Patrick to lose 122 Guard jobs next year". Florida Today. 8 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  11. "114th ROPS redesignates for space control mission". Florida Guard Online. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  12. Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
  13. World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3
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