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Space Launch Delta 30

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Space Launch Delta 30
Emblem of Space Launch Delta 30
Founded19 November 1991; 33 years
15 May 1964 (as Air Force Western Test Range)
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeSpace wing
RoleSpace launch
Part ofSpace Operations Command
HeadquartersVandenberg Air Force Base, California, U.S.
Mascot(s)Hawks
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Air Force Organization Excellence Award[1]
Websitewww.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil
Commanders
CommanderCol Anthony J. Mastalir[2]
Vice Commander for OperationsCol Kris Barcomb
Vice Commander for SupportCol Michael Hunsberger
Command ChiefCMSgt Jason Delucy

Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30) is a United States Space Force space launch wing. The 30th Space Wing is assigned to Space Operations Command and headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The 30th Space Wing is responsible for all space launch operations from the west coast, which includes all polar launches. It manages the Western Range and launch activities for the Space Force, Department of Defense, NASA, and other private space corporations. The 30th Space Wing also supports test and evaluation launches of the U.S. Air Force's intercontinental ballistic missile force.

Operations

The 30th Space Wing is one of two space launch wings for the U.S. Space Force, being responsible for executing military, intelligence, civil, and commercial space launches using the Western Range. Primary launch vehicles include the Atlas V, Delta IV, Pegasus, Minotaur, and Falcon rockets. It also supports Air Force Global Strike Command ballistic missile tests and evaluation and Missile Defense Agency test and operations.[3]

The 30th Space Wing serves as the host wing for Vandenberg Air Force Base, providing base support for the Space Force's Space Operations Command and its 614th Air Operations Center, and the 50th Space Wing's 21st Space Operations Squadron. The 30th Space Wing also provides support to non-Space Force units, such as the Air Force's 381st Training Group and 576th Flight Test Squadron, Space Command's Combined Force Space Component Command and Combined Space Operations Center, and elements of the Missile Defense Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, and NASA.[4]

Structure

30th Operations Group (30 OG)[5]

30th Mission Support Group (30 MSG)

30th Medical Group (30 MDG)

30th Comptroller Squadron (30 CPTS)

Shield

30th Space Wing shield

The 30th Space Wing shield was approved for use on 13 March 1995. The blue and yellow in the shield are the Air Force's colors, which the wing was a part of when the shield was created. The blue alludes to the sky, while the Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of its personnel. The two launch vehicles emanating from behind the globe represent the 30th Space Wing's intercontinental ballistic missile test and space launch missions. The remaining red, white, and blue elements represent the national colors of the United States.[6]

History

Air Force Western Test Range (1964–1970)

Air Force Western Test Range shield

The Air Force Western Test Range (AFWTR) was established on 15 May 1964. Initially organized as part of Air Force Systems Command's National Range Division, the Air Force Western Test Range managed all space and missile launches from the West Coast of the United States, which primarily were launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The AFWTR established a network of instrumentation sites along the California coast and in the Pacific islands to monitor ballistic missile and space launches in its region, although actual launches were conducted by the Space Systems Division's 6595th Aerospace Test Wing.[7][8]

On 1 April 1970 the Air Force Western Test Range was inactivated, as the responsibility for managing the range was passed to the Space and Missile Systems Organization's Space and Missile Test Center.[9]

Western Space and Missile Center (1979–1991)

In 1979 the Space and Missile Test Center was reorganized, becoming the Space and Missile Test Organization and the Air Force Western Test Range was reestablished on 1 October 1970 as the Western Space and Missile Center (WSMC), replacing the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing. Organized under the new center were the 6595th Aerospace Test Group, 6595th Test and Evaluation Group, and the 6595th Shuttle Test Group.[10][11]

Initially designated as the 6595th Satellite Test Group, the 6595th Aerospace Test Group managed space launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The 6595th Test and Evaluation Group was initially designated as the 6595th Missile Test Group, performing missile tests for the LGM-118 Peacekeeper and LGM-30 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles. Initially planned to serve as an alternate launch and landing location for the Space Shuttle, the 6595th Shuttle Group was intended to prepare facilities for its operations, before shuttle operations from Vandenberg AFB were canceled in 1987.[12][13]

On 1 October 1979 the Space and Missile Test Organization was inactivated and the Western Space and Missile Center was directly subordinated to the Space Systems Division. A year later Air Force Systems Command began to transition the space launch mission to Air Force Space Command. On 1 October 1990 the Western Space and Missile Systems Center transferred to Air Force Space Command's 9th Space Division. Vandenberg Air Force Base had been a Strategic Air Command installation until 15 January 1991, when it became an Air Force Space Command base, with the Western Space and Missile Systems Center as the host organization. After the 9th Space Division was inactivated on 1 October 1991, the Western Space and Missile Systems Center directly reported to Air Force Space Command.[14][15][16]

30th Space Wing (1991–present)

On 19 November 1991, as part of a larger Air Force heritage initiative, the Western Space and Missile Center was redesignated as the 30th Space Wing (30 SW), with the 30th Operations Group assuming the lineage of the World War II-era 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy). The Western Test Range was also renamed as the Western Range, to emphasize its operational nature. On 1 July 1993 the 30th Space Wing was assigned to the newly-reactivated Fourteenth Air Force.[17]

On 1 December 2003 the 30th Launch Group was activated to manage launch operations. On 20 July 2018 the 30th Launch Group was reemerged with the 30th Operations Group in an effort to streamline Air Force Space Command organizations.[18][19]

On 20 December 2019 the 30th Space Wing, along with the rest of Air Force Space Command became part of the United States Space Force. The Fourteenth Air Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command, which the 30th Space Wing remained assigned to.[20]

Space Launch Delta 30 (TBA-)

Upon the activation of Space Systems Command, the 30th Space Wing will transfer over from Space Operations Command and be renamed Space Launch Delta 30.[21]

Commanders

Commander, 30th Space Wing

No. Commander Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Duration
1
Sebastian F. Coglitore
Coglitore, Sebastian F.Brigadier General
Sebastian F. Coglitore		10 September 199113 August 19931 year, 337 days
2
Lance W. Lord
Lord, Lance W.Brigadier General
Lance W. Lord		13 August 19937 August 19953 years, 331 days
3
Franklin J. Blaisdell
Blaisdell, Franklin J.Colonel
Franklin J. Blaisdell		7 August 19955 June 1996303 days
4
C. Robert Kehler
Kehler, C. RobertColonel
C. Robert Kehler		5 June 199615 June 19982 years, 10 days
5
Roosevelt Mercer Jr.
Mercer, Roosevelt Jr.Colonel
Roosevelt Mercer Jr.		15 June 199811 June 1999361 days
6
Stephen L. Lanning
Lanning, Stephen L.Colonel
Stephen L. Lanning		11 June 199930 May 20011 year, 353 days
7
Robert M. Worley II
Worley, Robert M. IIColonel
Robert M. Worley II		30 May 200116 June 20032 years, 17 days
8
Frank Gallegos
Gallegos, FrankColonel
Frank Gallegos		16 June 200330 June 20052 years, 14 days
9
Jack Weinstein
Weinstein, JackColonel
Jack Weinstein		30 June 20055 March 20071 year, 248 days
10
Stephen M. Tanous
Tanous, Stephen M.Colonel
Stephen M. Tanous		5 March 200727 June 20081 year, 114 days
11
David J. Buck
Buck, David J.Colonel
David J. Buck		27 June 200826 April 20101 year, 303 days
12
Richard W. Boltz
Boltz, Richard W.Colonel
Richard W. Boltz		26 April 201023 January 20121 year, 272 days
13
Nina M. Armagno
Armagno, Nina M.Colonel
Nina M. Armagno		23 January 201228 May 20131 year, 125 days
14
Keith Balts
Balts, KeithColonel
Keith Balts		28 May 20139 July 20154 years, 42 days
15
J. Christopher Moss
Moss, J. ChristopherColonel
J. Christopher Moss		9 July 20159 June 20171 year, 335 days
16
Michael S. Hough
Hough, Michael S.Colonel
Michael S. Hough		9 June 201712 July 20192 years, 33 days
17
Anthony J. Mastalir
Mastalir, Anthony J.Colonel
Anthony J. Mastalir		12 July 2019Incumbent5 years, 155 days

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433621/30-space-wing-afspc/
  2. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/
  3. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/338357/vandenberg-air-force-base/
  4. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/736798/vandenberg-air-force-base/
  5. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/Units/
  6. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/338341/history-office/
  7. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/338341/history-office/
  8. ^ https://www.losangeles.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/AFD-060912-021.pdf?ver=2016-05-02-112844-290
  9. ^ https://www.losangeles.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/AFD-060912-021.pdf?ver=2016-05-02-112844-290
  10. ^ https://www.losangeles.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/AFD-060912-021.pdf?ver=2016-05-02-112844-290
  11. ^ https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433621/30-space-wing-afspc/
  12. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/338341/history-office/
  13. ^ https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433621/30-space-wing-afspc/
  14. ^ https://www.losangeles.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/AFD-060912-021.pdf?ver=2016-05-02-112844-290
  15. ^ https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433621/30-space-wing-afspc/
  16. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/338341/history-office/
  17. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/338341/history-office/
  18. ^ https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433621/30-space-wing-afspc/
  19. ^ https://www.vandenberg.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1580878/wing-changes-configuration-streamlining-process/
  20. ^ https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2048201/14th-air-force-redesignated-as-space-operations-command/
  21. ^ https://www.airforcemag.com/ussf-unveils-space-systems-commands-structure/
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