460th OG proves it’s a cut above the rest

Published July 12, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rau
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 460th Operations Group beat out all of its challengers in Air Force Space Command to take the Lt. Gen. Claire Chennault Trophy as the top operations group in the 14th Air Force.

The 460th OG proved its mettle as the only Air Force operations group to provide space intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; satellite command and control; and cyber combat effects to combatant commanders worldwide all while making full-spectrum space-based infrared systems a reality, according to the winning nomination package.

Although the 460th OG works behind a fence, the group's success doesn't go unnoticed by the 460th Space Wing leadership.

"With this win, the 460th Operations Group has completed the 'Grand Slam' of space operations," said Col. Daniel, 460th SW commander. "The Chennault will sit in the trophy case alongside the McKee, the Aldridge and an 'Outstanding' on most recent the Operational Readiness Inspection; proving the 460th Operations Group has set the standard for excellence in all of Air Force Space Command."

To add to their success, the 460th OG has engaged in ground-breaking work with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to integrate technical intelligence experts onto the operations floor. This has led to a seamless flow of research and development of operations, according to their winning nomination package.

The 460th OG has also aced the early test launch of the first next-generation weapon, the Air Force's number one primary space acquisition, the $1.3 billion GEO-1 satellite.

The group seems to be setting the example and raising the bar for other operation groups across the 14th Air Force by leading the pack with space-based firsts.

Buckley's "Golf Balls" at sunrise