45th Launch Support Squadron
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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.
History
The 45th Launch Support Squadron was activated on 30 June 2005. The first mission with spacecraft processed by the 45 LCSS was the Micro-satellite Technology Experiment (MiTEx) which launched on 21 June 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.
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.
List of commanders
- Lt Col Scott Traxler
- Lt Col John Wagner
- Lt Col Erik Bowman
- Lt Col Gerard G. Gleckel Jr.
- Lt Col Paul P. Konyha III
- Lt Col Matthew E. Holston, July 2014 – July 2016
- Lt Col Kathryn Cantu, 15 August 2016 – present
45 LCSS Missions
List of LCSS Launches
| No. | Launch Date | Mission | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 June 2006 | MiTEx | Delta II | First mission with spacecraft processed by the 45th Launch Support Squadron. |
| 2 | 25 September 2006 | GPS IIR-15M | Delta II | |
| 3 | 17 November 2006 | GPS IIR-16 | Delta II | |
| 4 | 8 March 2007 | STP-1 | Atlas V | First launch of a USAF payload on an Atlas V. |
| 5 | 10 October 2007 | WGS-1 | Atlas V | First of six WGS satellites |
| 6 | 17 October 2007 | GPS IIR-17 | Delta II | |
| 7 | 10 November 2007 | DSP-23 | Delta IV | Final launch of a DSP satellite and first operational launch of a Delta IV Heavy |
| 8 | 20 December 2007 | GPS IIR-18 | Delta II | |
| 9 | 15 March 2008 | GPS IIR-19 | Delta II | |
| 10 | 24 March 2009 | GPS IIR-20 | Delta II | |
| 11 | 4 April 2009 | WGS-2 | Atlas V | |
| 12 | 17 August 2009 | GPS IIR-21 | Delta II | Final launch of a GPS IIR series satellite. |
| 13 | 8 September 2009 | PAN | Atlas V | |
| 14 | 25 September 2009 | STSS Demo | Delta II | |
| 15 | 5 December 2009 | WGS-3 | Delta IV | Final Block 1 WGS satellite |
| 16 | 2 April 2010 | OTV-1 | Atlas V | First launch of a reusable unmanned space vehicle. |
| 17 | 28 May 2010 | GPS IIF-1 | Delta IV | First launch of IIF block of GPS satellites. |
| 18 | 4 June 2010 | Falcon 9 Flight 1 | Falcon 9 | First all commercial launch from CCAFS. |
| 19 | 14 August 2010 | AEHF-1 | Atlas V | First launch of an AEHF military communication satellite. |
| 20 | 8 December 2010 | COTS Demo Flight 1 | Falcon 9 | First launch, orbit, and recovery of an operational Dragon capsule. |
| 21 | 5 March 2011 | OTV-2 | Atlas V | |
| 22 | 7 May 2011 | SBIRS GEO-1 | Atlas V | First launch of the next generation of missile warning satellites. |
| 23 | 16 July 2011 | GPS IIF-2 | Delta IV | |
| 24 | 19 January 2012 | WGS-4 | Delta IV | First launch of the upgrafed Block II satellites |
| 25 | 24 February 2012 | MUOS-1 | Atlas V | First of a kind United States Navy UHF satellite. |
| 26 | 4 May 2012 | AEHF-2 | Atlas V | |
| 27 | 22 May 2012 | COTS Demo Flight 2 | Falcon 9 | First commercial resupply of the International Space Station |
| 28 | 30 August 2012 | RBSP | Atlas V | |
| 29 | 4 October 2012 | GPS IIF-3 | Delta IV | |
| 30 | 7 October 2012 | CRS-1 | Falcon 9 | |
| 31 | 11 December 2012 | OTV-3 | Atlas V |