310th Space Wing stands up

Col. Kyle Charles, center, 310th Operations Group deputy commander, and other members of the newly activated 310th Space Wing, salute during the activation ceremony for the Air Force Reserve's first-ever space wing April 4 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. 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 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. (US Air Force Photo/Amber K. Whittington)