4th Space Warning Squadron

The 4th Space Warning Squadron is an active United States Air Force Reserve Command unit, formerly located at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, and now located at Buckley Space Force Base. The unit was activated on 3 August 2019. It was previously activated in May 1992 as the 4th Space Communications Squadron, when it took over the mission and personnel of the 4th Satellite Communications Squadron, before being inactivated in March 1996. The squadron's primary mission is to provide mobile Defense Support Program support in case of hostilities.

4th Space Warning Squadron
Mobile communication antennas at Holloman AFB
Active	1992-1997 2019-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Missile Warning
Motto(s)	Cavete Vos Qui Infranos (Latin: "Beware You Who Are Below Us")
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
4th Space Warning Squadron emblem (approved 2 March 1995)[1][note 1]

Mission

The squadron provided worldwide missile warning, space launch and detection in the event of an attack against the United States.

History

The 4th Space Warning Squadron was activated on 15 May 1992, when it took over the mobile Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite mission which had been performed since 1983 at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico by the 1025th Satellite Communications Squadron, Mobile^{[note 2]} and the 4th Satellite Communications Squadron, Mobile.^{[note 3]}

The squadron employed the Air Force's only strategic survivable, mobile ground system to receive early warning missile attack data. The 4th provided survivable and endurable missile warning detection to the National Command Authority and had the ability to survive and operate through all phases of trans/post attack. Unlike fixed units, the 4th was designed to be mobile, and could deploy to any location in the world. In addition, the DSP satellites provided immediate, worldwide missile warning, space launch, and nuclear detonation detection.

The squadron mission was transferred to the 137th Space Warning Squadron of the Colorado Air National Guard in Greeley, Colorado in fall 1997.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 4th Space Communications Squadron on 1 May 1992

Activated on 15 May 1992

Redesignated 4th Space Warning Squadron on 16 October 1992

Inactivated c. 30 September 1997

Activated on 3 August 2019

Assignments

• 310th Space Wing, 3 August 2019 - present
• 21st Space Wing, 15 May 1992 – c. 30 September 1997

Stations

• Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, 3 August 2019 - present
• Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, 15 May 1992 – c. 30 September 1997

Commanders

• Lt Col Donald P. Knight (c. 1996)^[2]
• Lt Col Jeremy Cotton (2022 - 2024)
• Lt Col Meagan M. Tovado (2024 - Present)

Awards and campaigns

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1992-30 September 1994	4th Space Communications Squadron (later 4th Space Warning Squadron)[3]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1995-1 March 1996	4th Space Warning Squadron[3]