The United States Space Force's 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (5 EWS) is a space electromagnetic warfare unit located at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
Mission
The mission of the 5 EWS is to provide flexible and responsive space control capabilities to the Commander U.S. Space Command in order to protect and defend national security space capabilities.
History
The dual LASS/DSTS operation supported USAF space intelligence requirements, while being assisted by the 18th Intelligence Squadron's Det 4 for SIGINT support. This coverage augmented worldwide coverage of space signals activities at similarly equipped sites at Misawa AB, Japan, Osan AB, Republic of Korea and at Griffiss AFB in the United States.
The Deep Space Tracking System uses sensitive, highly accurate 20-foot dish antennas to detect and track S-band radio signals transmitted by radio beacons on most satellites. There were DSTS receivers located at Griffiss AFB, New York; RAF Feltwell, Great Britain; and Misawa AB, Japan.
The 5 SSS was inactivated in 2003, with administration of RAF Feltwell transferred to Detachment 4, 18th Intelligence Squadron.
On 15 April 2022, the 5th Space Control Squadron was redesignated the 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron.
Previous designations
5th Space Control Squadron (2019–2022) 5th Space Surveillance Squadron (1989–2003)
Bases stationed
RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom (1989–2003)
List of commanders
Lt Col Ronald P. Mitchell, 1 October 1990 – ??? Lt Col James L. Burling, Jr., August 1994 – 28 September 1996 Lt Col Steven R. Prebeck, 28 September 1996 – ??? Lt Col John Amrine, June 1999 – July 2000 Lt Col John W. Raymond, April 2000 – June 2001 Lt Col Susan Bedell, 10 October 2019 – June 2021 Lt Col Alexander Courtney, June 2021 – June 2023 Lt Col Andy Wang, June 2023 – present
Equipment operated
Low Altitude Space Surveillance (LASS) (1989–2003) Deep Space Tracking System (DSTS) (1989–2003)