The 4th Space Operations Squadron accepted control of a new satellite in their constellation, Advanced Extremely High Frequency-4 from the Space and Missile Center and 14th Air Force in a satellite control authority ceremony at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, May 3.

Second Lt. Scott Podlogar, 4th SOPS satellite engineer, said the ceremony designates who has the authority to operate the platform.

"The agency accepting control is responsible for maintaining the health and safety of the satellite as well as making sure it accomplishes the mission it is designed for," he said

According to Amanda Shepherd-Bond, 4th SOPS satellite spacecraft engineer and event coordinator, the squadron increased their capability with the new addition.

"AEHF has increased our coverage over the Milstar satellites as well as approximately 10 times the throughput and better jam or rapid modification of radio waves resistance," she said.

The 14th AF hosted the ceremony via teleconference, with Col. David Ashley, Space and Missile Center AEHF program manager, Lt. Col. Paul Freeman, 50th Operations Group deputy commander, Juan E. Cruz, 14th Air Force mission warning program analyst and Lt. Col. Armon Lansing, 4th SOPS commander in attendance.

During the ceremony, the Space and Missile Center approved AEHF-4 as being ready for operations, handing control to the 14th AF, who delegated control to the 50th Space Wing, then to the 50th Operations Group and finally to the 4th SOPS.

Shepherd-Bond said the addition of another AEHF platform is significant for 50th SW operations as a whole because it increases coverage across air, land and sea for range communications and greater crosslinking capability.

"AEHF already supports numerous mission operations including space and intelligence, nuclear and defense, theater mission defense and special operations," she said.

The satellite is the fourth AEHF in orbit and increases the warfighting superiority of the customers supported by 4th SOPS.

"There are plans for AEHF 5 and 6 to launch and join in a few years. The launch of AEHF-5 will occur later this summer," Podlogar said.

4th SOPS furthers the mission by evolving space and cyberspace warfighting superiority through integrated and innovative operations.

"The addition of this satellite to the protected communications constellation further promotes Schriever and America as being the masters of space," Podlogar said.

Related Links
US Air Force Space Command
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com

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