45th Launch Support Squadron

45th Launch Support Squadron
45th Launch Support Squadron Patch
Active 30 June 2005-Present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Launch Support
Role Mission Assurance
Part of 45th Launch Group
Garrison/HQ Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Motto(s) Battlespace Dominance Through Satellite Integration
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lt Col Kathryn Cantu

The 45th Launch Support Squadron(45 LCSS) is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. It is assigned to the 45th Launch Group along with its sister squadron the 5th Space Launch Squadron.

Mission

The 45th Launch Support Squadron (LCSS) delivers a broad array of organic launch and launch support capabilities. In partnership with the satellite system directorates, the LCSS provides launch-base mission assurance for satellites by overseeing spacecraft hardware arrival, launch preparations, testing and launch. In addition, the squadron contains a program management office which ensures delivery of mission-critical facilities, launch support services such as training and ordnance management, and programmatic resources to Eastern Range customers. Finally, the LCSS provides a single interface for emerging DoD, civil, and commercial launch providers to access 45 SW services and successfully bring new launch capabilities to the United States.[1]

History

The 45th Launch Support Squadron was activated on June 30, 2005. The first mission with spacecraft processed by the 45 LCSS was the Micro-satellite Technology Experiment (MiTEx) which launched on June 21, 2006.

Emblem

Description

On a disc Sable, arrayed to chief three deltas Silver Gray each with a contrail Or fimbriated Tenné issuing from behind a terrestrial globe Proper, environed by an orbit of the fourth charged with a sphere of the second, all within a narrow border Orange.

Attached below the disc, a Black scroll edged with a narrow Orange border and inscribed “45TH LAUNCH SUPPORT SQUADRON” in Orange letters.[2]

Symbolism

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The black background represents space. The three deltas signify the multiple launch vehicles the Squadron supports and the three Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. The earth and orbiting satellite describes the global nature of the unit’s mission.[3]

Commanders

45 LCSS Missions

List of LCSS Launches

No. Launch Date Mission Vehicle Notes
1 June 21, 2006 MiTEx
 Delta II First mission with spacecraft processed by the 45th Launch Support Squadron.
2 September 25, 2006 GPS IIR-15M
Delta II
3 November 17, 2006 GPS IIR-16
Delta II
4 March 8, 2007 STP-1
Atlas V First launch of a USAF payload on an Atlas V.
5 October 10, 2007 WGS-1
 Atlas V First of six WGS satellites
6 October 17, 2007 GPS IIR-17
Delta II
7 November 10, 2007 DSP-23
Delta IV Final launch of a DSP satellite and first operational launch of a Delta IV Heavy
8 December 20, 2007 GPS IIR-18 Delta II
9 March 15, 2008 GPS IIR-19 Delta II
10 March 24, 2009 GPS IIR-20 Delta II
11 March 24, 2009 WGS-2
 Atlas V
12 August 17, 2009 GPS IIR-21 Delta II Final launch of a GPS IIR series satellite.
13 September 8, 2009 PAN
 Atlas V
14 September 25, 2009 STSS Demo Delta II
15 December 5, 2009 WGS-3
 Delta IV Final Block 1 WGS satellite
16 April 2, 2010 OTV-1 Atlas V First launch of a reusable unmanned space vehicle.
17 May 28, 2010 GPS IIF-1 Delta IV First launch of IIF block of GPS satellites.
18 June 4, 2010 Falcon 9 Flight 1 Falcon 9 First all commercial launch from CCAFS.
19 August 14, 2010 AEHF-1 Atlas V First launch of an AEHF military communication satellite.
20 December 8, 2010 COTS Demo Flight 1 Falcon 9 First launch, orbit, and recovery of an operational Dragon capsule.
21 March 5, 2011 OTV-2 Atlas V
22 May 7, 2011 SBIRS GEO-1 Atlas V First launch of the next generation of missile warning satellites.
23 July 16, 2011 GPS IIF-2 Delta IV
24 January 19, 2012 WGS-4
 Delta IV First launch of the upgrafed Block II satellites
25 February 24, 2012 MUOS-1 Atlas V First of a kind United States Navy UHF satellite.
26 May 4, 2012 AEHF-2 Atlas V
27 May 22, 2012 COTS Demo Flight 2 Falcon 9 First commercial resupply of the International Space Station
28 Aug 30, 2012 RBSP
 Atlas V
29 Oct 4, 2012 GPS IIF-3
Delta IV
30 Oct 7, 2012 CRS-1 Falcon 9
31 Dec 11, 2012 OTV-3 Atlas V

References

  1. ↑ Factsheet: 45th Launch Group
  2. ↑ The Institute of Heraldry
  3. ↑ The Institute of Heraldry

External links

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