4th Space Warning Squadron (4 SWS) activated in August 2019 as a component of the 710th Operations Group located at Buckley Space Force Base, Colo. As a reserve associate to the 11th Space Warning Squadron, 4 SWS supports Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS). SBIRS provides critical information regarding national and theater threats through its primary mission areas of missile warning, battlespace awareness, technical intelligence, and missile defense. System operators enable reliable, unambiguous, timely, and accurate warning for theater and strategic missile launches to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and Combatant Commanders worldwide. 4 SWS members are fully integrated into all aspects of the SBIRS crew force, providing long-term knowledge and proficiency in mission management operations, mission execution, battlespace awareness, ground system operations, and satellite command and control.
What started as the 4th Space Communication Squadron in May of 1992, it was redesignated 4 SWS in October 1992. After being deactivated in 1996, the unit formerly reactivated in November 2007 as Detachment 1, 8th Space Warning Squadron in conjunction with 310th Space Wing’s activation at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. In February 2019, the unit officially relocated to Buckley AFB as one of the final hurdles for being designated 4 SWS once again. Over 100 highly trained Airmen now comprise 4 SWS.
Vision Statement
To serve as the foundation of expertise, adaptability, and readiness…second to none!
Mission Statement
Protect and defend the United States and its allies from emergent global threats through Persistent Warning, Technical Data Exploitation, and Battlespace Awareness.
Organization
Parent Unit: 710th Operations Group
4 SWS follows both an operational and administrative chain of command.
The operational chain is 4 SWS, Delta 4, USSF
The administrative chain is 4 SWS, 710 OG, 310 SW, 10 AF, AFRC
(Current as of 28 Apr 2022)