WASHINGTON (AFNS) —
The fifth House Operations Squadron unfurled their colours throughout an activation ceremony on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, June 3.
The ceremony signified the inactivation of Delta 9’s Detachment 1 and the activation of the fifth SOPS which oversees operations of the X-37B Orbital Check Automobile, an experimental program designed to exhibit applied sciences for a dependable, reusable, unmanned house take a look at platform for the U.S. House Drive.
To start the ceremony, Maj. Eric Wilson, Det. 1 commander, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his distinctive conduct as commander. Wilson highlighted the promising way forward for the fifth SOPS below the command of Lt. Col. Latasha Spear.
“Fifth SOPS is below nice fingers with Lt. Col. Spear as I’ve little question she is going to guarantee fifth SOPS is ready to proceed the nice lineage of excellence that Det. 1 Guardians amplified, guaranteeing mission readiness for the us,” Wilson mentioned.
The fifth SOPS was provisionally activated as Working Location-A, 750th House Group, on Oct. 1, 1992. Nonetheless, its roots started within the early Sixties because the Air Drive Satellite tv for pc Management Facility which established one of many Air Drive’s main roles in house – satellite tv for pc operations.
Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. House Forces Indo-Pacific commander, served below the unique fifth SOPS from 1995 to 1999 and shared his pleasure concerning the activation of fifth SOPS below DEL 9.
“A heartfelt congratulations to DEL 9 and all of the women and men of the fifth House Operations Squadron,” Mastalir mentioned. “I can’t consider a greater mission to imagine the legacy and lineage of the unique 5 SOPS positioned at Onizuka Air Station in Sunnyvale, California.”
Mastalir additionally mentioned how the fifth SOPS activation will have an effect on the us at massive, particularly how their mission will assist guarantee a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“House Forces Indo-Pacific is likely one of the many beneficiaries of the ground-breaking missions that can be executed by this new unit. The information gained by way of take a look at and experimentation at 5 SOPS can be instrumental in our purpose to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Mastalir added.
Throughout the ceremony, Col. Mark Bigley, DEL 9 commander, additional expressed the significance and his pleasure of the fifth SOPS activating and persevering with a legacy of demonstrating technological developments of the X-37B.
“The primary members of 5 SOPS will proceed to set the bar of excellence excessive in addition to mark new heights for the longer term know-how capabilities of the X-37B. It’s with nice honor I welcome 5 SOPS to the us,” Bigley mentioned.
Grasp Sgt. Joseph Wooden, fifth SOPS senior enlisted chief, revealed the colours and raised the guidon initiating the assumption-of-command ceremony for the newly activated squadron.
Service members watched as Bigley handed the colours to Spear, entrusting her to steer as the primary commander of the fifth SOPS.
Previous to taking command of the fifth SOPS, Spear served because the DEL 5 division chief of joint fires and knowledge operations, House Forces-House at Vandenberg House Drive Base, California. Throughout her time on this function, she led joint and mixed personnel to ship house electromagnetic warfare concentrating on results and planning in addition to command and management operations in alignment with Mixed Joint Drive House Element Command.
“To the women and men of the mighty fifth SOPS, I’m really honored to be your first commander,” Spear mentioned. “Fifth SOPS aligns with the targets of the chief of house operations, House Operations Command and DEL 9 by contributing to the spacepower of this nation as we collectivity attempt to keep up a sturdy peace for ourselves and our allies on this period of Nice Energy Competitors.”
By 2nd Lt. Danielle Rose, House Base Delta 1 Public Affairs
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