On April 11, 2008, Col. Philip Simonsen, commander of the Satellite Control Network and Systems Group, acknowledged the decommissioning of the Command and Control Segment, known for approximately 20 years by those close to the system as "CCS."

Colonel Simonsen presented commemorative montages to numerous organizations critical to the success of the legacy satellite control system's life cycle. Colonel Simonsen summed up the CCS legacy saying, "This is an example of the best of teaming and technology.

The Satellite Operations Centers Air Force Space Command, Space and Missile Systems Center and contractor came together to provide and operate a system that was the common thread through nearly 20 years of satellite operations. That extraordinary achievement could not have been realized without the team staying focused on warfighter support.

"Congratulations to a great team and the successes of all those who were a part of the Command and Control Segment's remarkable contribution to U.S. satellite operations," Colonel Simonsen added.

For approximately two decades, CCS provided vehicle telemetry, tracking and commanding support from launch preparation to on-orbit operations. Many AFSPC programs reaped the benefits of CCS including Defense Satellite Communications System Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability, Global Positioning System, Defense Meteorological Satellites Program, and MILSATCOM, just to name a few.

CCS began its journey as part of the IBM Data Systems Modernization contract in the mid 1980s. From 1987 until the contract ended April 30, 2008 Lockheed Martin supported the system.

This dynamic satellite system's mainframe contained more than 11 million lines of custom software code. From the time CCS supported its first launch in February 1989 supporting GPS, the satellite control system has accumulated a lengthy list of accomplishments with more than 40 championed prime ground system launches and an astonishing 1 million-plus successful contacts.

The final CCS supported launch was also in support of GPS. On December 28, 2007, CCS provided backup support for the GPS Satellite Vehicle Number 57 launch. The 1 SOPS crew, the last users, were allowed to perform the shutdown.

Shortly after, the decommissioning team swept into the command and control facilities located at Onizuka Air Force Station and Schriever Air Force Base to remove the CCS equipment. Over 1,000 equipment items were donated to SOCs, transferred to other agencies or loaded on tractor trailers and transported to DRMO.

Receiving honors on behalf of their organizations were Colonel Robert Skinner, Commander of the 50th Space Wing Network Operations Group on behalf of the 50th SW, Laureli Mazik, System Support Manager for AFSCN Sustainment on behalf of the AFSCN Sustainment Division, Mr. Jerry Schroeder, Museum and Fuel History Program Manager on behalf of the AFSPC History Office and Mr. Matthew Allard, Director of Strategic and C2 Programs for Lockheed Martin on behalf on Lockheed Martin.

A montage was also sent to the SMC Heritage Office at Los Angeles Air Force Base in honor of SMC systems support provided for the lifetime of this system.

The decommissioning ceremony was concluded when Ms. Mazik surprised Colonel Simonsen by presenting the Satellite Control Network and Systems Group with a montage in honor of all the AFSCN Commanders who supported the system.