A ceremony was held Dec. 21 at the 2nd Space Warning Squadron here to declare the initial operational capability of the new ground segment of the Space-Based Infrared System.
Brig. Gen C. Robert Kehler, 21st Space Wing commander, presided over the ceremony that consolidated the existing Defense Support Program ground stations into a single mission control station at the 2nd SWS. The 2nd SWS falls under the 21st SW at Peterson AFB, Colo. The wing is the Air Force’s only organization providing missile warning and space control to unified commanders and combat forces worldwide.
“Since the terrorist attacks, the rest of the Air Force has started to fully understand what the space team brings to the fight,” said Kehler. “SBIRS is a system that will provide the nation with critical missile defense and warning capability well into the 21st century.”
The consolidated ground segment will also now provide the missile-warning customer a single, unambiguous and improved messaging for detected events. SBIRS will eventually replace the current Defense Support Program satellite missile warning system.
DSP has provided the nation with critical missile warning data from space for over 30 years and is expected to continue providing data through the end of the decade.
The total cost on the ground station was $250 million. This includes the development of software, construction of the facility and equipment housed in the building.
