76th Space Control Squadron
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| 76th Space Control Squadron | |
|---|---|
 76th Space Control Squadron emblem |
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| Active | 19xx-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Part of | USAF Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Peterson Air Force Base |
The United States Air Force's 76th Space Control Squadron is a unit located at Peterson AFB, Colorado.
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[edit] Mission
The 76th SPCS is an Air Force Space Command unit responsible for delivering defensive and offensive counterspace and space situational awareness, as appropriate, to rapidly achieve flexible and versatile effects in support of global and theater campaigns.
[edit] History
The history of the 76th dates to the earliest days of World War II. During the Summer of 1941, Army Captain Claire L. Chennault formed a small group of American pilots into the 3rd Pursuit Squadron, Aviation Volunteer Group. The unit immediately garnered international attention for their combat successes while defending China, and they became known as the "Flying Tigers." On 18 December 1941, the 3rd was redesignated as the 76th Pursuit Squadron and subsequently the 76th Fighter Squadron on May 15, 1942. The unit fought the remainder of the war under the 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force.
Following World War II the 76th was deactivated and reactivated a number of times. Over this period, the squadron conducted P-47, RF-80, F-89, F-102, A-7, and A-10 flying operations. These operations included distinguished service during Operation DESERT STORM where the unit earned the Defense of Saudi Arabia and Defense of Kuwait campaign streamers.
DESERT STORM lessons on space power convinced Air Force leaders to reactivate the unit as the 76th Space Operations Squadron in December 1995. The 76th deployed Air Force Space Support Teams to bring space expertise to expeditionary air forces and air operations centers around the world. Over their tenure, the 76th Space Operations Squadron deployed to make significant contributions during JOINT ENDEAVOR, DENY FLIGHT, DESERT FOX, DESERT THUNDER and ALLIED FORCE. The squadron was deactivated on Jan. 21, 2001 and its campaign streamers transferred to the 76th Space Control Squadron during its activation on Jan. 22, 2001.
On Sept. 24, 2004, the 76th SPSC demonstrated Initial Operational Capability of its first Counter Communications System. This system provides a critical counterspace capability never before available to warfighters around the world.
