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Mission Delta 3
DEL 3 emblem
Founded	1 January 1967; 57 years ago (1967-01-01)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Space Force
Type	Delta
Role	Electromagnetic warfare
Size	350 personnel
Part of	Space Operations Command
Headquarters	Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, U.S.
Website	www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/Units/Space-Delta-3/
Commanders
Commander	Col Nicole M. Petrucci
Deputy Commander	Lt Col John Kolb
Senior Enlisted Leader	CMSgt Kevin R. Pfister
Insignia
Guidon

Mission Delta 3 (MD3) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for presenting operational combat-ready electromagnetic warfare forces in support of assigned missions. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base.

Activated on 24 July 2020, it replaced the former 21st Space Wing's 721st Operations Group upon establishment. The 721st Operations Group was activated on 10 October 2019 partly by realigning units from the former 21st Operations Group to focus securing the electromagnetic spectrum for national security space operations. In 2024 it was redesignated Mission Delta 3 and gained sustainment responsibilities, along with organic cyber defense and intelligence forces.

History

On 1 January 1967 the 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing, joined the 71st Surveillance Wing as one of the two wings in Air Defense Command's 9th Aerospace Defense Division, which was responsible for the Air Force's contribution to the defense of North America to space oriented attack. It was first organized at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado. The 71st Wing, which was soon renamed the 71st Missile Warning Wing, was responsible for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, while the 73rd focused on space based systems. The wing's operational elements were the 16th Surveillance Squadron at Shemya Air Force Station, Alaska, the 17th Surveillance Squadron at Moorestown Air Force Station, New Jersey, the 18th Surveillance Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California. the 19th Surveillance Squadron at Pirinclik Air Station, Turkey and the 20th Surveillance Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, all organized the same day as the wing. Like the wing, the component squadrons were to be activated as "aerospace" surveillance squadrons. However, on 3 January 1967, the decision was made to retroactively drop the "aerospace" from the squadron names. Sensor operations included the Spacetrack System. The wing was inactivated in April 1971.

The 73rd was reactivated on 1 March 1989 as the 73d Space Surveillance Group. On 1 October 1992, Detachment 3 at Misawa Air Base, Japan (which had been added on 1 January 1991) was expanded to form the 3rd Space Surveillance Squadron. Its last assignment was with Fourteenth Air Force, being stationed at Falcon Air Force Base, Colorado. It was inactivated on 26 April 1995.

The Group performed space surveillance. In April 1995 the 73d Space Surveillance Group merged with the 21st Space Wing. From that point the 21st became the largest wing in the United States Air Force with units deployed throughout the world.

In December 2021, DEL 3 was awarded as the best delta in Space Operations Command. The delta's three operational units were redesignated as electromagnetic warfare squadrons on April 15, 2022.

In September 2023, General B. Chance Saltzman introduced the integrated mission delta (IMD) construct which combines different functions, like operations, training, intelligence, and cyber effects, into specific mission areas, including electromagnetic warfare. DEL 3 was one of two initial units announced to test the construct. These IMDs mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense. In October 2023, the 23rd Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron was activated. In 2024 it was redesignated Mission Delta 3 and gained sustainment responsibilities, along with organic cyber defense and intelligence forces.

Structure

DEL 3 is a component of Space Operations Command, one of eight deltas aligned under the field command. It is composed of the 3rd Combat Training Squadron, which provides advanced training to the delta's members, and three operational units, the 4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron, and 16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron. It is also augmented by four Air National Guard units, the 114th Space Control Squadron, 138th Space Control Squadron, 216th Space Control Squadron, and 293rd Space Control Squadron, and the Air Force Reserve's 380th Space Control Squadron

It plans to add a defensive electromagnetic warfare unit in Guam.

Emblem	Name	Function	Headquarters
Squadrons
	3rd Combat Training Squadron (3 CTS)	Operational training and certification, tactics development, engineering support, and crew force management	Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
	4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (4 EWS)	Electromagnetic warfare	Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
	5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (5 EWS)	Electromagnetic warfare	Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
	16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (16 EWS)	Electromagnetic warfare	Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
	23rd Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (23 EWS)	Electromagnetic warfare	Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
	Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron (ISRS (P))	Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

Lineage

• Established as the 73d Aerospace Surveillance Wing and activated on 1 November 1966

Organized on 1 January 1967

Inactivated on 30 April 1971

• Redesignated 73d Space Surveillance Group on 10 February 1989

Activated on 1 March 1989

Redesignated 73d Space Wing on 1 June 1991

Redesignated 73d Space Group on 1 May 1992

Inactivated on 26 April 1995

Assignments

• Air Defense Command, 1 November 1966 (not organized)
• 9th Aerospace Defense Division, 1 January 1967
• Fourteenth Aerospace Force, 1 July 1968 – 30 April 1971
• Air Force Space Command, 1 March 1989
• 1st Space Wing, 1 June 1991
• Fourteenth Air Force, 20 September 1993 – 26 April 1995

Stations

• Ent Air Force Base, Colorado, 1 January 1967
• Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, 17 July 1967 – 30 April 1971
• Falcon Air Force Base, Colorado, 1 March 1989 – 26 April 1995

Components 1967-1995

• 1st Command and Control Squadron: 28 February 1992 – 24 June 1994
• 1st Deep Surveillance Squadron (later, 1st Surveillance Squadron, 1st Space Surveillance Squadron: 1 April 1989 – 26 April 1995
• 3rd Space Surveillance Squadron: 1 October 1992 – 26 April 1995
• 4th Surveillance Squadron (later 4th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 October 1990 – 26 April 1995
• 5th Surveillance Squadron (later 5th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 October 1990 – 26 April 1995
• 16th Surveillance Squadron (later 16th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 September 1991 – 1 October 1994
• 17th Surveillance Squadron (later 17th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 31 December 1969, 15 November 1993 – 26 April 1995
• 18th Surveillance Squadron (later 18th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 July 1991 – 26 April 1995
• 19th Surveillance Squadron (later 19th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 October 1991 – 26 April 1995
• 20th Surveillance Squadron (later 20th Space Surveillance Squadron): 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971, 1 August 1991 – 26 April 1995
• 73d Operations Support Squadron: 15 May 1992 – 26 April 1995
• 73d Support Squadron (later 73d Mission Support Squadron): 15 May 1992 – 26 April 1995

Detachments

• Detachment 1 – San Vito dei Normanni Air Station, Italy (1 October 1989 – 1 October 1990)
• Detachment 2 – RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom (1 October 1989 – 1 October 1990)
• Detachment 3: Misawa Air Base, Japan (1 January 1991 – 1 October 1992)

List of commanders

No.	Commander		Term			Ref
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Duration
1		Thien, John G.Colonel John G. Thien	24 July 2020	31 July 2021	1 year, 7 days
2		Fernengel, Christopher A.Colonel Christopher A. Fernengel	31 July 2021	29 June 2023	1 year, 333 days
3		Petrucci, Nicole M.Colonel Nicole M. Petrucci	29 June 2023	Incumbent	1 year, 173 days

References

1. ^ "Space Delta 3 focuses on electromagnetic spectrum". United States Space Command. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
2. "Kevin R. Pfister".
3. "Space Delta 3". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
4. "Space Delta 3 Fact Sheet" (PDF). Peterson Air Force Base. 24 July 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
5. "Space Force reorganizes former Air Force space wings into "Deltas" and "Garrisons"". SpaceNews. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
6. "Space Delta 3". www.peterson.af.mil. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
7. "Space Force Announces Significant Reorganization". Air Force Magazine. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
8. "Peterson-Schriever Garrison | USSF | Peterson Air Force Base". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
9. "721st OG activated as USAF realigns to 'Protect and Defend' U.S. Space Capabilities". Peterson Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
10. https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3952582/two-dels-transition-to-fully-integrated-mission-deltas
11. Ravenstein, p. 111
12. ^ Robertson, Patsy (13 July 2009). "Factsheet 16 Space Control Squadron (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
13. ^ Robertson, Patsy (8 February 2010). "Factsheet 17 Expeditionary Space Control Squadron (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
14. ^ Haulman, Daniel L. (28 December 2010). "Factsheet 19 Space Operations Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
15. Cornett & Johnson, pp. 149-150.
16. ^ Butler, William M. (17 December 2015). "Factsheet 3 Space Experimentation Squadron (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
17. "DEL 3 receives "Best Mission Delta"". Space Operations Command (SpOC). Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
18. "4th, 5th and 16th SPCS Re-designation". Peterson Space Force Base. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
19. "Space Force announces Integrated Mission Delta construct to optimize for Great Power Compe". United States Space Force. 12 September 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
20. "WORLD: Space". Air & Space Forces Magazine.
21. ^ "Space Delta 3 activates 23d Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron". Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
22. https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3952582/two-dels-transition-to-fully-integrated-mission-deltas
23. ^ "DEL 3 updates focus and priorities". Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
24. "Space Delta 3". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
25. ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 62.
26. Bailey, Carl E. (24 July 2008). "Factsheet Air Force Space Command (USAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
27. Mueller, p. 565
28. Haulman, Daniel L. (15 April 2008). "Factsheet 1 Space Control Squadron (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
29. Air Force Historical Research Agency: Supplement to 73d Space Group Lineage and Honors, 1 November 2009
30. "COLONEL JOHN G. THIEN". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
31. "Space Delta 3 Changes Command". 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
32. "COLONEL CHRISTOPHER A. FERNENGEL". www.peterson.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
33. "Col. Nicole Petrucci assumes command of Delta 3". Space Base Delta 1. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
34. "COLONEL NICOLE M. PETRUCCI". Space Base Delta 1. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W. (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946 - 1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
• Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Information compiled by Daniel L. Haulman, Phd; Chief, Organizational Histories Branch; Air Force Historical Research Agency

v t e Space Operations Command
Air Forces	Fourteenth (Strategic)
Centers	Space and Missile Systems Space Innovation and Development 614th Air and Space Operations
Bases	Buckley Los Angeles Patrick Peterson Schriever Thule Vandenberg
Stations	Cape Canaveral Cape Cod Cavalier Cheyenne Mountain Clear Eldorado (closed) Kaena Point New Boston Onizuka (closed)
Space wings	21st 30th 45th 50th 310th 460th
Air Base groups	61st 821st Air Base Group
Squadrons	Command and Control 1st 2d 3d 4th 55th Mobile 119th 153d 222d 721st Mobile Space Control 1st 4th 16th 20th 25th 76th 380th Space Launch 1st 2nd 3d Space Launch Squadron 4th 5th Space Operations 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 19th 21st 22d 23d 111th 148th AFSPC Space Warning 2nd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 137th 213th Others 26th Space Aggressor (AFRC) 527th Space Aggressor (ACC) 3d Space Communications 50th Space Communications 850th Space Communications 1st Space Development Squadron 2d Space Development Squadron 3d Space Development Squadron 3rd Space Experimentation 1st Space Surveillance 3d Space Surveillance 5th Space Surveillance 1st Air and Space Test 2d Test Operations Squadron 3d Space Test Squadron 4th Space Test Squadron 55th Space Weather

v t e Aerospace Defense Command (ADC)
Bases	CONUS Amarillo Beale Charleston Davis-Monthan Dobbins Dover Dow Duluth Eglin Edwards Ellington Ellsworth England Ent Ethan Allen Fairfax Fallon Fort Gregg-Adams Fort Heath Geiger George Glasgow Grand Forks Grenier Griffiss Gunter Hamilton Hancock Homestead Hurlburt Hunter Imeson Key West Kincheloe Kingsley Kirtland Lackland Laredo Larson Luke MacDill March Malmstrom McCoy McChord McClellan McGhee Tyson McGuire Minneapolis-St. Paul Minot Mitchel New Castle Niagara Falls Norton O'Hare Otis Oxnard Paine Perrin Peterson Pittsburgh Portland Presque Isle R.I. Bong Richards-Gebaur Robins K.I. Sawyer Selfridge Seymour Johnson Sioux City Stead Stewart Suffolk County Tinker Travis Truax Tyndall Vandenberg Vincent Walker Webb Westover Wright-Patterson Wurtsmith Youngstown Overseas Ernest Harmon Frobisher Bay Goose Keflavik McAndrew Pepperrell Thule
Stations	CONUS Adair Aiken Almaden Alpena Antigo Arlington Heights Baker Bedford Bellefontaine Belleville Benton Blaine Brookfield Brunswick Bucks Harbor Burns Calumet Cambria Cape Charles Cape Cod Carmi Caswell Chandler Charleston Cheyenne Mountain Claysburg Clear Colville Condon Continental Divide Cottonwood Cross City Crystal Springs Curlew Custer Cut Bank Dallas Center Dauphin Island Dickinson Duncanville Eldorado Empire Finland Finley Flintstone Fordland Fort Fisher Fort Lee Fortuna Gettysburg Grand Marais Grand Rapids Guthrie Hanna City Havre Highlands Houma Hutchinson Joelton Keno Killeen Kingman Kirksville Klamath Lake Charles Lake City Las Cruces Las Vegas Lewistown Lockport Lufkin Lyndonville Madera Makah Mica Peak Miles City Mill Valley Minot Montauk Moriarty Mount Hebo Mount Laguna Mount Lemmon Naselle North Bend North Charleston North Truro Oklahoma City Olathe Omaha Opheim Osceola Othello Owingsville Ozona Palermo Point Arena Port Austin Port Isabel Pyote Red Bluff Rochester Rockport Rockville (Indiana) Roslyn Rye Saint Albans San Clemente Island Santa Rosa Island Saratoga Springs Sault Ste Marie Shemya Snelling Snow Mountain Sweetwater Texarkana Tierra Amarilla Thomasville Tonopah Topsham Two Creeks Wadena Walnut Ridge Watertown Waverly West Mesa Willow Run Winnemucca Winslow Winston-Salem Woomera Yaak Zapata Overseas Armstrong Baldy Hughes Beausejour Cape Makkovik Cartwright Cut Throat Island Elliston Ridge Fox Harbour Hofn Hopedale Kamloops La Scie Langanes Latrar Melville Puntzi Mountain Ramore Red Cliff Rockville Saglek St. Anthony Saskatoon Mountain Sioux Lookout Spotted Island Stephenville
Air Defense units	Forces Central Air Defense Eastern Air Defense Iceland Western Air Defense First Fourth Tenth Fourteenth Air Divisions 8th 9th 20th 21st 23d 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 31st 32d 33d 34th 35th 36th 37th 58th 64th 73d 85th Sectors Albuquerque Bangor Boston Chicago Detroit Duluth Goose Grand Forks Great Falls Kansas City Los Angeles Minot Montgomery New York Oklahoma City Phoenix Portland Reno Sault Sainte Marie San Francisco Seattle Sioux City Spokane Stewart Syracuse Washington Wings Fighter 1st 4th 23d 32d 33d 50th 52d 56th 78th 81st 325th 328th 507th Detection and Control 71st 73d 551st 552d Air Defense 46th 4620th 4621st 4622d 4624th 4625th 4627th 4628th 4683d 4700th 4702d 4703d 4704th 4705th 4706th 4707th 4708th 4709th 4710th 4711th 4750th 4751st 4752d 4756th 4780th Groups Fighter 1st 4th 14th 15th 23d 32d 33d 50th 52d 53d 54th 56th 57th 78th 79th 81st 82d 84th 325th 326th 327th 328th 329th 337th 343d 355th 408th 412th 414th 473d 475th 476th 478th 507th Air Defense 10th 500th 501st 502d 503d 514th 515th 516th 517th 518th 519th 520th 521st 525th 527th 528th 529th 530th 533d 534th 564th 566th 567th 568th 575th 637th 665th 678th 692d 701st 751st 762d 765th 778th 780th 827th 858th 4606th 4620th 4676th 4700th 4721st 4722d 4727th 4728th 4729th 4730th 4731st 4732d 4733d 4734th 4735th 4750th 4756th Aircraft Control & Warning 503d 505th 540th 541st 542d 543d 544th 545th 546th 563d 564th 565th 566th Squadrons Aerospace Defense Command Fighter Squadrons Aircraft Control and Warning Squadrons
Major weapon systems	Electronic TB-29 EB-57 EC-121 Fighters Propeller: F-47 F-51 P-61 F-82 Subsonic Jet: P-80 F-84 F-86 F-89 F-94 Supersonic Jet: F-101 F-102 F-104 F-106 Missiles AIM-4 AIM-26 AIR-2 CIM-10 Ships Guardian Interceptor Interdictor Interpreter Investigator Locator Lookout Outpost Pickett Protector Scanner Searcher Skywatcher Tracer Watchman Vigil Texas Towers Texas Tower 2 Texas Tower 3 Texas Tower 4
Miscellaneous	Air Defense Command Emblem Gallery (on Wikimedia Commons) General Surveillance Radar Stations

v t e United States Space Force
Leadership	Department of the Air Force Secretary of the Air Force Under Secretary of the Air Force Space Staff Chief of Space Operations Vice Chief of Space Operations Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Director of Staff Deputy Chiefs of Space Operations General Officers Generals Lieutenant Generals Oversight House Armed Services Committee Strategic Forces subcommittee Senate Committee on Armed Services Strategic Forces subcommittee
Structure	Field commands Space Futures Command Space Operations Command Commander Space Systems Command Commander Space Training and Readiness Command Commander Component Field Commands United States Space Forces Central United States Space Forces Europe and Africa United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific United States Space Forces Korea United States Space Forces – Space Deltas Space Delta 1 Mission Delta 2 Mission Delta 3 Mission Delta 4 Space Delta 5 Space Delta 6 Space Delta 7 Space Delta 8 Space Delta 9 Space Delta 10 Space Delta 11 Space Delta 12 Space Delta 13 Space Delta 15 Space Delta 18 Space Delta 21 Space Delta 23 Space Delta 26 Space Launch Delta 30 Mission Delta 31 Space Launch Delta 45 Space Base Delta 1 Space Base Delta 2 Space Base Delta 3 Squadrons 1st Delta Operations 319th Combat Training 328th Weapons 392d Combat Training 533rd Training 21st Operations Support 15th Space Surveillance 18th Space Defense 19th Space Defense 20th Space Surveillance 3rd Combat Training 4th EW 5th EW 16th EW 23rd EW 2nd Space Warning 3rd satellite Communications 5th Space Warning 6th Space Warning 7th Space Warning 10th Space Warning 11th Space Warning 12th Space Warning 13th Space Warning 55th Combat Training 21st Space Operations 22nd Space Operations 23rd Space Operations 62nd Cyberspace 63rd Cyberspace 64th Cyberspace 65th Cyberspace 68th Cyberspace 69th Cyberspace 645th Cyberspace 71st ISR 72nd ISR 73rd ISR 74th ISR 75th ISR 76th ISR 1st Space Operations 2nd Navigation Warfare 3rd Space Operations 4th Space Operations 10th Space Operations 53rd Space Operations 527th Space Aggressor 1st Test and Evaluation 3rd Test and Evaluation 17th Test and Evaluation 25th Space Range 2nd Space Launch 5th Space Launch 1st Range Operations NSSI Direct reporting units Space Development Agency Space Rapid Capabilities Office Space Warfighting Analysis Center
Locations	Space Force Bases Buckley Los Angeles Patrick Peterson Schriever Vandenberg Space Bases Pituffik Space Force Stations Cape Canaveral Cape Cod Cavalier Cheyenne Mountain Clear Kaena Point New Boston
Personnel and training	Astronauts Awards and decorations Badges Ranks Training Academy Reserve Officer Training Corps Officer Training School Basic Military Training Uniforms
History and traditions	Delta Flag History Seal "Semper Supra" Air & Space Forces Association Space Force Association Former wings and deltas 21st Space Wing 50th Space Wing 460th Space Wing Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional)

• Deltas of the United States Space Force
• Military units and formations established in 1967