17th Space Surveillance Squadron

17th Space Surveillance Squadron
17th Space Surveillance Squadron emblem
Active	1966-1996
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Space Surveillance
Role	Passive Surveillance
Part of	Air Force Space Command/73d Space Group
Garrison/HQ	RAF Edzell, Scotland
Motto(s)	ETERNAL VIGILANCE
Decorations	AFOUA

The United States Air Force's 17th Space Surveillance Squadron (17 SSS) was a space surveillance unit located at RAF Edzell, Scotland. Before its inactivation, the 17th SSS operated sensors for the Low-Altitude Surveillance System (LASS).

History

The 17th Space Surveillance Squadron (17 SSS) was originally constituted as the 17th Radar Squadron (17th RS), and activated, on 1 November 1966. The 17th SS operated a radar sensor for the USAF Spacetrack System, first in New Jersey then later tracking People's Republic of China missile launches and southerly launches from the Soviet Union from Thailand, until its inactivation in May 1976. Reactivating as the 17th Surveillance Squadron (17th SS) on 1 August 1982, the unit provided low-altitude space surveillance until its subsequent inactivation in June 1989. Reactivating again in October 1993, the newly designated 17th Space Surveillance Squadron (17th SSS) operated sensors for the Low-Altitude Space Surveillance System, until its final inactivation and closure of RAF Edzell in 1996. With the inactivation of the 73rd Space Group and closure of RAF Edzell, Scotland, in October 1996, the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron, at RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom incorporated the LASS mission.

Assignments

Major Command

• Air Force Space Command (1992–Present)
• Aerospace Defense Command (????)
• Air Defense Command (????)

Numbered Air Force

• 14th Air Force (???)
• 14th Aerospace Force (???)

Wing/Group

• 73d Space Group (15 November 1993-????)
• 1st Space Wing (1 May 1983–1 June 1989)
• 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing (1 January 1967–31 December 1969)

Previous designations^[1]

• 17th Space Surveillance Squadron (1993–1996)
• 17th Surveillance Squadron (1983–1989)
• 17th Radar Squadron (1966–1976)

Bases stationed

• RAF Edzell, Scotland (15 November 1993–????)
• San Miguel, Philippines (1 August 1982–1 June 1989)
• Ko Kha RTAS, Thailand (1 September 1971–31 May 1976)
• Moorestown, NJ (1 January 1967–31 December 1969)

Equipment Operated^[2]

• Low Altitude Space Surveillance System (1982–1996)
• USAF Spacetrack System (1967–1976)

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award^[3]
  • 1 October 1995-30 September 1997^[4]
  • 1 August 1982–31 July 1983
  • 14 September 1973–17 February 1975

References

1. ↑ Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
2. ↑ World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3
3. ↑ Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)
4. ↑ AFSPC Special Order GA-09, 1 November 1997

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