5th Space Warning Squadron

The United States Space Force's 5th Space Warning Squadron (5 SWS) is an in-theater missile warning unit headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. It operates the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) system via four forward-stationed combat detachments located in Italy, Qatar, South Korea, and Japan.

5th Space Warning Squadron
5th Space Warning Squadron emblem
Active	1992-1999, 2023-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Space Force
Type	Space Operations
Role	Missile Warning
Part of	Mission Delta 4
Garrison/HQ	Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
Nickname	Ornery Owls
Anniversaries	13 October 2023
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col Robert M. Smith

Assignments

• 21st Operations Group, 15 May 1992-8 Jun 1995
• 21st Space Wing, 8 Jun 1995-10 Aug 1999
• 821st Space Group, 10 Aug 1999-12 Oct 1999
• Mission Delta 4, 13 Oct 2023-present

History

From 1992 to 1999, the 5th Space Warning Squadron operated the only ground station in the Southern Hemisphere for the Defense Support Program, a space-based system that provides global missile warning. It used to be known as the 5th Joint Defense Space Communications Squadron.

Commanders

• Col John Harris, USAF, 1993–1995
• Col Henry W. Poburka, USAF, 12 Jul 1995-1997
• Col Thomas Meade, 1997-1999
• Lt Col Michael A. Provencher, USSF, 13 Oct 2023-3 May 2024
• Lt Col Robert M. Smith, USSF, 3 May 2024-present

Station

• Woomera AS, Australia, 15 May 1992-12 Oct 1999
• Buckley SFB, Colorado, 13 Oct 2023-present

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  • 1 Jan 2000-31 Aug 2001
  • 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999
  • 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997
  • 1 Oct 1992-30 Sep 1994
  • 1 Sep 1989-31 Aug 1991
  • 2 May 1973 – 1 May 1976
  • 17 Nov 1971-1 May 1973

See also

• Joint Tactical Ground Station
• Defense Support Program
• Space-Based Infrared System
• 2d Space Warning Squadron
• 8th Space Warning Squadron
• 11th Space Warning Squadron
• Mission Delta 4