Space Delta 6


Space Delta 6 is a United States Space Force unit which assures access to space through the $6.8 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems.
Tracing its history to 1965, the delta is headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. It replaced the 50th Network Operations Group, which had been part of the former 50th Space Wing. On 23 June 2021, the 614th Air and Space Communications Squadron, previously under Space Delta 5, was redesignated as the 65th Cyber Squadron and transferred into Space Delta 6.
WWW schriever.spaceforce.mil/...

History

The delta was first organized as the 1879th Communications Squadron during the Vietnam War in 1965. It formed part of the 1964th Communications Group providing communications for the U.S. Air Force in South Vietnam. In 1971, as American participation in the Vietnam War was reduced and United States Air Force closed down its activities at Nha Trang Air Base, the squadron was moved to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri, where it absorbed the mission, personnel and equipment of the 2009th Communications Squadron, which was inactivated.
The unit moved to its present location, then named Falcon Air Force Station, when Richards-Gebaur was turned over to the Air Force Reserve. The 1879th assumed the resources of the 2184th Communications Squadron at Falcon. When the 2d Space Wing was inactivated in 1992 the 1879th was inactivated with it and its mission was taken over by the 50th Satellite Communications Squadron.
The expanded space communications mission at Schriever Air Force Base led to the activation of the unit, now designated the 50th Communications Group. In 2002 the group was inactivated and its components transferred to the 50th Maintenance Group. This action was reversed less than a year later.
In March 2004 the group was re-designated the 50th Network Operations Group, and took control of the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Space Operations Squadrons to consolidate control of the Air Force Satellite Control Network.
The 50th Network Operations Group was re-designated as Delta 6 on July 24, 2020.

Structure in 2020

Emblem symbolism

Space Delta 6's emblem consists of the following elements:
  • The platinum border represents the foundation and structure Space Operations Command provides to Space Delta 6.
  • The midnight blue represents the determination and tenacity of Guardians.
  • The North Star represents the satellite systems that Space Delta 6 supports.
  • The lightning bolt represents instantaneous response by each unique operational space mission for Space Delta 6.
  • The shield and satellite dish symbolizes missions that Space Delta 6 is responsible for: Space Control Network and Cyber Defense.
  • The number six signifies Space Delta 6's number and the ability to support the warfighting domain.

Lineage

  • Designated 1879th Communications Squadron and organized on 1 November 1965
  • Redesignated 50th Communications Group on 26 November 1997
  • Activated 1 June 2003

Assignments

Stations

Honors and campaigns

;Campaign streamers
Vietnam:
  • Vietnam Defensive 1965–1966
  • Vietnam Air 1966
  • Vietnam Air Offensive 1966–1967
  • Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II 1967–1968
  • Vietnam Air/Ground 1968
  • Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III 1968
  • Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV 1968–1969
  • Tet 69/Counteroffensive 1969
  • Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969
  • Vietnam Winter/Spring 1969–1970
  • Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970
  • Southwest Monsoon 1970
  • Commando Hunt V 1970–1971
  • Commando Hunt VI 1971
;Decorations
;Other awards

List of commanders

  • Unknown, 1 November 1965 – 1 October 1985
  • Lt Col Robert W. Alexander, 1 October 1985 – 18 July 1988
  • Col William A. Sample, 19 July 1988 – 1 August 1990
  • Lt Col Roman Synychak, 2 August 1990 – 30 January 1992
  • Col Gregory S. Hollister, 1 December 1997 – 24 March 1998
  • Col Paul F. Capasso, 25 March 1998 – 13 April 2000
  • Col David B. Warner, 14 April 2000 – 27 June 2002
  • Col Earl D. Matthews, 28 June 2002 – 13 June 2004
  • Col David C. Uhrich, 14 June 2004 – 10 July 2006
  • Col Robert J. Skinner, 10 July 2006 – 13 July 2008
  • Col Mitchel Butikofer, 14 July 2008 – 14 May 2010
  • Col Michael Finn II, 14 May 2010 – 4 April 2012
  • Col Jonathan Sutherland, 4 April 2012 – 2 June 2014
  • Col Jason Sutton, 2 June 2014 – 23 June 2016
  • Col W. Scott Angerman, 23 June 2016 – 29 June 2018
  • Col Hewett Wells, 29 June 2018 – 16 June 2020
  • Col Roy V. Rockwell, 16 June 2020 – 24 July 2020
  • Col Roy V. Rockwell, 24 July 2020 - 24 July 2020