Ceremony activates AF Reserve's first-ever space wing

  • Published
  • By Maj. David Kurle
  • 442nd Fighter Wing public affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Air Force Reserve Command ceremoniously stood up its very first space wing here April 4, ten days before the command's 60th anniversary.

The 310th Space Wing, which expanded from an Air Force group to a wing March 7, was officially recognized at the ceremony attended by Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command, and officiated by Lt. Gen. John Bradley, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command.

"This represents the culmination of 15 years of Air Force Reserve participation in the operation and defense of America's space assets," said Col. Jeffrey Ansted, 310th SW commander.

"I think we've lived up to our vision as an unrivaled wingman to our Regular Air Force counterparts," he said, addressing the new wing during the ceremony. "We've also had the opportunity to take the lead in certain space operations, like an unrivaled wingman should."

Reservists providing space-operations capability is not new to the Air Force, but the 310th, which reports to 10th Air Force, is the first time AFRC has provided a wing-level unit to carry out missions in America's highest frontier.

Dr. Ronald M. Sega, the former under-secretary of the Air Force and executive agent for space, as well as a retired Air Force Reserve major general, spoke at the ceremony inside a 302nd Airlift Wing hangar here.

"(Operating in) space was important in the last century," Dr. Sega said. "But it's absolutely crucial today.

"Be proud of what you do," he told Reservists in the command's newest wing.

The 310th provides its gaining major command, Air Force Space Command, with experienced people in seven space squadrons to man space-based systems including Defense Meteorological satellites for weather observation, Midcourse Space Experiment satellite to conduct space surveillance, the Space-Based Infrared System for early missile warning and Global Positioning System satellites used for navigation.

"The work you've done alongside your active-duty counterparts has benefited our entire Air Force," General Bradley said to AFRC's newest wing. "Everything you do has an impact on every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine in combat operations."

The wing also includes a test squadron, several base support squadrons, medical staff and the Reserve National Security Space Institute. In all, ten squadrons, five stand-alone flights and the institute report to the 310th SW.

The 310th, one of the most operationally diverse units in the Air Force Reserve, is headquartered at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., and supports the Department of Commerce, Air Force Space Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Cyber Command, and three Regular Air Force Space Wings.

In addition to the wing, Colonel Ansted also officially activated the 310th Operations Group and 310th Mission Support Group.