Shared Early Warning System Begins Mission At Peterson

SPACEWAR

keeping watch 24/7

Peterson AFB - Jun 22, 2003
Air Force Space Command has long been the home of global missile warning. Now a program dedicated to sharing that information to allied forces has been passed on to AFSPC.

In a June 20 ceremony here, the 1500-square-foot Shared Early Warning System Centralized Distribution Facility was formally opened for business. The aim of the new facility is to provide launch detection notifications to partner nations spanning three geographical combatant commands. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, SEWS helped protect coalition forces by providing missile event information.

"The Shared Early Warning System is a presidential directive program intended to ensure regional stability and mutual security interest of the United States and selected partner nations," said Maj. Gene Ramsey, SEWS project lead for Air Force Space Command. "With SEWS being operational, we can focus on standardizing equipment configuration and normalizing standards."

The ceremony marked the transfer of operational ownership of SEWS from the Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, Mass., to the 21st Space Communications Squadron at Peterson.

The 21st SCS will operate and maintain the global missile event information function for distributing releasable information to NATO and partner nations. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense are aggressively negotiating with other nations to participate in the program.

"The 21st Space Communications Squadron is proud to be part of today's ceremony and looks forward to providing exceptional support, in terms of highly qualified and dedicated space communicators, to the SEWS mission," said Michael Behncke, 21st SCS deputy commander.

Currently, SEWS uses data derived from U.S. military satellite constellations to detect heat from missile and booster plumes against the Earth's background. That data is then relayed to mobile elements around the world and then to various communication satellites, which shoot the information to Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center in Colorado, theater commanders and allied forces.

SPACEWAR

Space Is The Ultimate High Ground

Washington - Jun 04, 2003
Space is the ultimate high ground and gives American forces a tremendous advantage on the battlefield, according to the Air Force's director of space operations and integration at the Pentagon.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.