Space Delta 12
Delta emblem
Founded23 August 2021 (2021-08-23)
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeDelta
RoleSpace test and evaluation
Part ofSpace Training and Readiness Command
HeadquartersSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Nickname(s)Big Dogs[1]
WebsiteOfficial website
Commanders
CommanderCol E. Lincoln Bonner III
Senior Enlisted LeaderCMSgt Charles J. Apodaca[2]
Insignia
Guidon

Space Delta 12 (DEL 12) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for space test and evaluation. It tests space systems and capabilities in support of weapon system acquisition, operational acceptance, and readiness. It was established on 23 August 2021 following the establishment of the Space Training and Readiness Command, the field command to which it reports. It is temporarily headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, but its final location requires a base selection process.[3][4][5]

DEL 12 was originally activated as the USAF’s 6565th Test Wing in October 1960 at Vandenberg AFB, CA. The wing was re-designated as the 6565th Test Wing (Development) in December 1960 and was subsequently re-designated, this time as the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing, in April 1961. The wing was inactivated in October 1979. It was reactivated on 23 August 2021 and redesignated as Space Delta 12.

A ceremony was held on 27 August 2021, activating three squadrons and redesignating two squadrons that were realigned under DEL 12.[6]

Structure

DEL 12 is one of five deltas that reports to the Space Training and Readiness Command. It is composed of the following five subordinate squadrons:[6]

Squadron Function Headquarters
12th Delta Operations SquadronDelta staff and squadron managementSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
1st Test and Evaluation SquadronSpace command and control capabilities testingSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
3rd Test and Evaluation SquadronOrbital warfare capabilities testingSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
4th Test and Evaluation SquadronElectromagnetic spectrum capabilities testingPeterson Space Force Base, Colorado
17th Test and Evaluation SquadronMissile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness capabilities testingSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado

History

6595th Aerospace Test Wing
Emblem of the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing
Active1960-1979
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force

In July 1958, Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) through its Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (AFBMD), the office continued the work of managing launch facility construction. It also conducted research and development flight tests of Thor and Atlas missiles; supported SAC's deployment of operational versions of these missiles; and launched unmanned space vehicles into polar orbit around the Earth.

By 1960, the launch rate at Vandenberg had increased four-fold since the first launch in December 1958. To keep pace with this growing momentum, AFBMD enlarged its field office into the 6565th Test Wing (Ballistic Missiles and Space Systems) in October 1960.

In December, the parenthetical designator was changed to "(Development)," though the unit remained the 6565th Test Wing. When ARDC was restructured and redesignated as Air Force Systems Command on April 1, 1961, that same order also reassigned the wing to Space Systems Division in Los Angeles. In November 1961, the wing was redesignated the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing.

On May 15, 1964. At Vandenberg, Headquarters Air Force Western Test Range (AFWTR) was established and was assigned to a new National Range Division, organized at Andrews AFB, Maryland.

Starting in 1970, Air Force System Command (AFSC) and the Strategic Air Command (SAC) organizations at Vandenberg underwent numerous reorganizations and realignments. The first of these major changes involving AFSC units occurred on April 1, 1970. HQ AFWTR, and the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing were realigned under a new organization at Vandenberg called the Space and Missile Test Center (SAMTEC). SAMTEC was assigned to the Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) in Los Angeles.

In the SAMTEC reorganization, Headquarters AFWTR was inactivated; the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing was restructured by transferring its support elements to the staff of the new organization, and redesignating its primary mission elements from program divisions to 6595th space and missile test groups.

On October 1, 1979, HQ SAMTEC was redesignated Headquarters Space and Missile Test Organization (SAMTO). At the same time, the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing was inactivated.

The 6595th Aerospace Test Wing was reactivated and redesignated as Space Delta 12, Space Training and Readiness Command, United States Space Force, on 23 Aug 21, with the mission of test and evaluation of USSF capabilities.

Lineage

  • Established as 6565th Test Wing (Ballistic Missiles and Space Systems) and activated on 20 October 1960
Redesignated: 6565th Test Wing (Development), 1 December 1960
Redesignated: 6595th Aerospace Test Wing, 1 April 1961
Inactivated on 1 October 1979.
Reactivated and redesignated: Space Delta 12, 23 August 2021

Assignments

Historical components

  • 6595th Missile Test Group, 1 May 1970 – 1 October 1979
  • 6595th Space (later Satellite) Test Group, 1 May 1970 – 1 October 1979
  • 6595th Space Transportation Test Group, 21 May-1 October 1979

6595thmissiletestgroup/minuteman Vandenburg CA

Stations

  • Vandenberg AFB, California, 20 October 1960 – 1 October 1979
  • Schriever SFB, Colorado, 23 August 2021 – Present

Major Off-Base and Detached Installations

  • Bikini Test Site, Marshall Islands, 1 July 1965 – 21 November 1969
  • Eniwetok Auxiliary Field, Kwajalein Island, 1 July 1965 – 16 September 1976
  • South Point AFS, Hawaii, 1 Jul 1965-1 October 1979
18°54′59″N 155°40′36″W / 18.91639°N 155.67667°W / 18.91639; -155.67667 (South Point AFS)
Opened in support of Project Have Lent, a sounding rocket probe program to evaluate advanced ballistic reentry system experiments. The close proximity and aspect angle of South Point to the optical site sensors located on the island of Maui The close proximity and aspect angle of South Point to the optical site sensors located on the island of Maui. In 1979, the Station was divided in two parcels located about 1.5 miles apart, containing approximately six acres each. One of the sites was the main operations area, while the other areas was used for a boresight tower.

List of commanders

No. Commander Term Ref
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term Length
1
Peter J. Flores
Flores, Peter J.Colonel
Peter J. Flores		23 August 20216 July 2022317 days[7]
2
E. Lincoln Bonner III
Bonner , E. Lincoln IIIColonel
E. Lincoln Bonner III		6 July 2022Incumbent1 year, 181 days[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ "Space Delta 12 Activation Ceremony". Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT CHARLES J. APODACA" (PDF). Space Training and Readiness Command. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ↑ "DEL 12". Space Training and Readiness Command. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ↑ Miller, Amanda (23 August 2021). "Raymond: New STARCOM Will 'Shape the Next Century' of Space Operations". Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  5. ↑ "Space Force activates Space Training and Readiness Command". United States Space Force. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. 1 2 "Space Delta 12 recognition ceremony". Schriever Space Force Base. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  7. ↑ "COLONEL PETER J. FLORES" (PDF). Space Training and Readiness Command. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ↑ "Space Delta 12 Change of Command". Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ↑ "E. LINCOLN BONNER". Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM).
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