U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet 310TH SPACE GROUP The 310th Space Group, the only space group in the Air Force Reserve, is located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. The unit was activated Sept. 4, 1997 at Peterson AFB, Colo., and reports directly to 10th Air Force. Vision Statement A fully integrated partner in executing and enabling U.S. and allied global missions Mission Statement Provide specialized expertise, continuity and combat ready personnel, projecting space power for U.S. interests worldwide. Commander's Name: Colonel Jeffrey J. Ansted Parent Unit: 10th Air Force Organization The group is composed of ten units: 6th Space Operations Squadron, 7th Space Operations Squadron, 8th Space Warning Squadron, 9th Space Operations Squadron, 14th Test Squadron, 19th Space Operations Squadron, 26th Space Aggressor Squadron, 310th Security Forces Squadron, 310th Communications Flight, and Headquarters Reserve National Security Space Institute. The 6th SOPS at Schriever operates the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites in support of the Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The 7th SOPS at Schriever provides support for the Global Positioning System and Defense Support Program satellites through routine operations, anomaly resolution, launch and early orbit, and satellite disposal. They also provide operations support for research and development satellites such as the Advanced Composition Explorer and the Midcourse Space Experiment satellites, as well as perform booster launch operations for the Delta II rocket. The 8th SWS at Buckley AFB, Colo., operates the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) to provide strategic and tactical early warning to warfighters. The 9th SOPS at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., supports the 14th Air Force Joint Space Operations Center (Space AOC), enabling the commander of 14th Air Force to command and control space forces by providing force status, intelligence data, and battle space awareness. They also provide the Air Force component of United States Strategic Command the capability to plan, synchronize, direct, integrate and execute assigned forces in support of unified combatant commanders. The 14th TS at Schriever augments the 17th TS by providing independent assessments of space system operational effectiveness and suitability. They provide subject matter experts and surge capability for Air Force Space Command testing. The 19th SOPS at Schriever supports the 2nd SOPS in the launch, sustainment and operations of the GPS satellite constellation providing 24-hour, highly accurate navigation, timing and nuclear detonation information to users worldwide. They also support the modernization of the GPS space and control system. The 26th SAS, at Schriever is specifically chartered to augment the 527th SAS in the replication of adversary space capabilities in support of Air Expeditionary Force spin-up, world-wide exercises, training and testing, to enhance U.S. space superiority, force readiness, and survivability. The 310th SFS at Schriever provides critical security for AFSPC ground segment assets worldwide. They also augment U.S. Air Force security forces units worldwide during periods of increased operations tempo. The 310th Communications Flight at Peterson augments AFSPC Network Operations and Security Center operational crews providing command and control and situational awareness for AFSPC communications systems and assets. The HQ Reserve National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, Colo. is part of the DoD focal point for educating space power application in joint warfighting. They provide surge capability through specialized traditional reserve expertise: course research, development, instruction and administer the Reserve Space Professional Development Program. Unit History: The 310th has a long and rich heritage dating back to World War II when it began as the 310th Bombardment Group on March 15, 1942. The unit flew B-25 "Mitchell" bombers in support of operations in Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Sardinia, France, Austria and Yugoslavia during the war. The group perfected "skip bombing" techniques against bridge, airborne, rail yard and marshaling yard targets. The group was inactivated Sept. 12, 1945. The 310th Bombardment Wing was reactivated in 1952 and trained on the B-29 Superfortress before converting to the B-47 Stratojet. The wing deployed to Royal Air Force station Upper Heyford, England, from March 10 to June 8, 1955 and to RAF Greenham Common, England, from Oct. 3, 1956 to Jan. 19, 1965. On Sept. 1, 1991, the 310th Training and Test Wing was activated for a short time at Vandenberg. It was inactivated on July 1, 1993. The 310th designator was again activated with the stand up of the 310th Space Group Sept. 4, 1997. The group was created from its original squadron, the 7th SOPS, and has grown rapidly with the realization of the critical role the Air Force Reserve can play in the future of space operations. The group has been tremendously successful in its initial missions and has been tasked with reviewing future active/Reserve partnerships in space to identify potential areas where the AF Reserve can add value in the space arena. Unit Achievements: Campaign Streamers World War II European-Middle Eastern Theater: Tunisia 1942-43 Central Europe 1945 North Appennines 1944-45 Rome-Arno 1944 Sicily 1943 Po Valley 1945 Rhineland 1944-45 Southern France 1944 Napples-Foggia 1943-44 Air Combat 1941-45 Decorations Distinguished Unit Citations: Bienvento, Italy: Aug. 27, 1943 Ora, Italy: March 10, 1945 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: Jan. 1, 1956 - Jan. 1, 1959 Sept. 4, 1997 - Nov. 1, 1998 Oct. 1, 2000 - Sept. 30, 2002 Oct. 1, 2002 - July 30, 2004  October 2006