5th Space Warning Squadron


The United States Space Force's 5th Space Warning Squadron is an in-theater missile warning unit headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. It operates the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) system via four forward-stationed combat detachments located in Italy, Qatar, South Korea, and Japan.

Assignments

History

From 1992 to 1999, the 5th Space Warning Squadron operated the only ground station in the Southern Hemisphere for the Defense Support Program, a space-based system that provides global missile warning. It used to be known as the 5th Joint Defense Space Communications Squadron.

Commanders

  • Col John Harris, USAF, 1993–1995
  • Col Henry W. Poburka, USAF, 12 Jul 1995-1997
  • Unknown, 1997-1999
  • Lt Col Michael A. Provencher, USSF, 13 Oct 2023-3 May 2024
  • Lt Col Robert M. Smith, USSF, 3 May 2024-present

Station

  • Woomera AS, Australia, 15 May 1992-12 Oct 1999
  • Buckley SFB, Colorado, 13 Oct 2023-present

Decorations