Colorado S prings M ilitary Newspaper Group
Thursday, June 7, 2018
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Vol. 12 No. 23
1st SOPS ops accepts ORS-5 By Airman 1st Class William Tracy 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS No open fires, no outdoor cooking except for the use of propane grills, no use of fireworks and no outdoor smoking on base
Base Briefs Spouses are invited to events marked with
THIS WEEK Marriage Retreat slots available The 50th Space Wing Chaplain’s Office will host a free marriage retreat Friday – Sunday in Breckenridge, Colorado. There are two slots available and it is first come, first served. To register, contact the 50th SW Chaplains Office at 567-3705 or 567-5473.
Building 210 parking lots to close The Building 210 parking lot will be closed for repairs 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Marquis Williams at 567-4323.
SRBC hosts annual Golf Summer Classic The Space Range Booster Club is hosting the 3rd annual Golf Summer Classic Friday at the United States Air Force Academy. Registration is at 8 a.m. and shotgun start is at 9 a.m. This will be a four-person scramble. Prices are as follows: $45 for E1-E4/cadet, $60 for E5 and above/Department of Defense civilians and $95 for civilians. For more information or to sign up, contact Capt. Shawn Woodall or Staff Sgt. Maurice Moyer at 567-0562. More Briefs page 4 Sign up for weekly Schriever announcements, news and more. Visit www.schriever.af.mil and click “Public Affairs” under featured links.
Public Affairs
Inside
Wounded Warrior Games................. 6 AF week in photos.......................... 12 Ultimate champion......................... 17
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The 1st Space Operations Squadron accepted operational control of the Operationally Responsive Space-5 satellite system through United States Strategic Command during a ceremony at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, May 31. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s a significant accomplishment to see the satellite become fully operational,” said Lt. Col. Mark Bigley, commander of the 1st SOPS. “This significantly increases our space situational awareness.” The ORS-5 furthers the 50th Space Wing’s mission by delivering global, persistent, optical tracking of satellites in geosynchronous orbit. “This enables a whole new level of continuous space situational awareness to ensure all 50th SW and United States geosynchronous assets remain secure, aiding our defense capabilities,” said Capt. John Cantu, systems integration planner and ORS-5 team member with 1st SOPS. Members of the 14th Air Force, 1st and 7th SOPS, the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office, the 18th Space Control Squadron and National Air and Space Intelligence Center supported getting the satellite into operational status, playing a role in ensuring the satellite functions properly and confirming the accuracy and quality of data ORS-5 transmitted. “We made sure our crews were ready for ops acceptance,” Cantu said. “We also worked with these agencies closely to ensure there were no critical issues, performed acquisitions and other essential duties.” Bigley said the rapid four-year concept-to-operations acceptance timeframe easily meets the SpRCO’s intent of “delivering capabilities to the warfighter in operationally relevant time frames,” - an accomplishment of its own. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratorybuilt ORS-5 satellite is one of three low-Earth orbit satellites that 1st SOPS commands. Its services of scanning the geosynchronous-orbit belt assists a region that is home to critical U.S. communications. ORS-5 was launched August 26, 2017 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Courtesy graphic
Pictured is a graphic representation of the Operationally Responsive Space-5 satellite system, which initiated operations May 31, 2018. ORS-5 furthers the 50th Space Wing’s mission by delivering global, persistent, optical tracking of satellites in geosynchronous orbit.
ORS-5’s operations impact both U.S. allies and adversaries, strengthening U.S. space defense. “By increasing the amount of sensor coverage, we are able to cover and defend more aspects of the 50th Space Wing’s mission,” Bigley said. Cantu added ORS-5 is a milestone for 1st SOPS and satellite operations in general. “I’m excited,” he said. “This is a whole new level of awareness, giving us near-constant surveillance and enabling new defensive tactics and techniques.” See ORS-5 page 18
Motorcycle ride memorializes fallen officers
By Tech. Sgt. Wes Wright 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — One-hundred riders participated in the 5th Annual Front Range Fallen Officer Memorial Motorcycle Ride that traveled through Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, June 1. The record-setting number of riders first gathered at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado, before riding through Fort Carson, Schriever AFB, Peterson Air Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy. The event concluded with a barbeque back at Cheyenne Mountain AFS. “We do this as part of our way of recognizing our law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty such as Deputy Micah Flick from the El Paso County Sheriff’s office,” said Scott Deeds, chief of plans and programs with the 721st Security Forces Squadron and event organizer. “I don’t want these individuals forgotten so we will take the time to remember them and their sacrifice.” According to Deeds, any memorial ride is special but motorcycle riders share a special bond, which mirrors the bond between law enforcement professionals.
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Wes Wright
One-hundred riders leave Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., as part of the 5th Annual Front Range Fallen Officer Memorial Motorcycle Ride June 1, 2018. The group first gathered at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado, before riding through Fort Carson, Schriever AFB, Peterson Air Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy.
“Have you noticed, when you see bikers pass each other they often wave,” Deeds asked. “There is a bond on a motorcycle which cannot be accomplished sitting in a car. Now, coupled with our backgrounds in law enforcement, it solidifies our band of brothers.” Two of Schriever AFB’s own were among the band of brothers for the ride. “Wearing the shield comes
with great sacrifice,” said Ronnie James, unit security manager with the 2nd Space Operations Squadron. “As a retired security forces member, I've lost several brothers who fell wearing the shield or badge while defending this great nation. I ride for them.” Lt. Col. Michael Speck, commander of the 50th Security Forces Squadron, also participated in the ride.
“For me, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the service of all in the police business and the ultimate sacrifices of a few,” Speck said. “But more than that, it’s to pay respect to those loved ones still with us who received a call one night or day that drastically changed their lives forever. Those left behind live each day missing See Motorcycle ride page 19