Delta 6 is a component of the U.S. Space Force. The organization was established and activated July 24, 2020.
Delta 6 consists of five active duty squadrons located at Schriever Space Force Base: 21st Space Operations Squadron, 22nd Space Operations Squadron, 23rd Space Operations Squadron, 1st Cyber Operations Squadron and 2nd Cyber Operations Squadron.
Mission
Delta 6 provides assured access to space through the $6.8 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems. The Delta plans, programs, integrates, operates and maintains command and control and common-user systems in support of U.S. Space Command, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and the Missile Defense Agency.
Organization
Specific mission responsibilities are accomplished through the Delta's five squadrons (21st, 22nd and 23rd Space Operations Squadrons, and the 1st and 2nd Cyber Operations Squadrons), five detachments, and 12 geographically separated operating locations. Responsibilities include:
* Schedule satellite contacts through the AFSCN for more than 190 Department of Defense, Allied and national agency satellites; publish the daily Space Access Tasking Order; and provide real-time support for satellite anomaly resolution.
* Provide frequency interference and space safety analysis.
* Operate and maintain seven worldwide remote tracking stations for the AFSCN.
* Direct a launch-critical satellite checkout facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and one at Vandenberg Tracking Station, California, for the East and West launch ranges respectively.
* Operate and maintain the U.S. Space Force’s Digital Integrated Network, which is a mission communications base and global circuit transport network (comprised of 400 nodes and over 1,500 circuits) centrally managed with automated failover and path diversity.
* Manage the maintenance support activities of the satellite ground control systems for the AFSCN.
* Exercise configuration control, technical data management, software management, systems engineering and maintenance and supply management for the AFSCN.
* Organize and operate Defensive Cyberspace Operations in support of Space Operations Command mission systems and architecture as identified by HQ USSF to include the Pathfinder Cyberspace Defense Correlation Center-Space.
* Perform all base operations for New Boston Air Force Station, New Hampshire.
History
Delta 6 traces its proud history back to 1965. As the 1879th Communications Squadron at Nha Trang Airport, South Vietnam, the group supported combat operations in Southeast Asia with essential communications systems. The unit earned 23 combat awards in its six years of combat operations. After Vietnam, the group moved to Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri, where it served as a component of the Tactical Communications Division. Reassigned to the Space Communications Division in 1982, the group began its support to Air Force space operations at that time. The squadron underwent several name changes and was reassigned to Falcon AFS in October 1985 as a component of the 2nd Space Wing.
Soon, the need for a group-level communications organization led to the re-designation of the 1879th CS as the 1879th Communications Group in 1989. One year later, the group was relieved of assignment to the Space Communications Division and assigned directly to the 2nd SW. It inactivated with the 2nd SW on Jan. 30, 1992.
In 1997, the 1879th CG returned to active duty as the 50th CG. The group’s distinguished history and numerous awards contributed significantly to the Air Force’s decision to continue this organization’s lineage. Inactivated briefly in 2002, the 50th CG was again activated in 2003. With that activation and resulting organizational change, the group assumed responsibility for the worldwide AFSCN, the communications systems supporting the network and base communications systems. The re-designation, March 10, 2004 as the 50th Network Operations Group, reflected its true nature as a tactical group rather than one mainly performing a supporting role.
The 50th Network Operations Group was re-designated as Delta 6, July 24, 2020.
The organizational honors include 15 campaign streamers; a Presidential Unit Citation (Vietnam); seven Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat “V” Devices; nine Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards; and two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palms and the Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer.
(Current as of July 2020)