The United States Air Force's 119th Command and Control Squadron (119 CACS) is a space control unit located at McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee.[4] The unit augments the operations of USSTRATCOM on a continuous basis.[5][6]
| 119th Command and Control Squadron | |
|---|---|
 119th Command and Control Squadron emblem | |
| Active | 1950 – present[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Command and Control |
| Role | Space Operations |
| Part of | Air Force Space Command/US Strategic Command/Tennessee Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee[2] |
| Motto(s) | FORTUNA FAVET FORTIBUS - "Fortune Favors The Bold" |
| Decorations |  JMUA AFOUA  GWOT-S |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Vince Franklin (2012 – present) [3] |
Mission
editThe 119th Command and Control Squadron was one of the first Air National Guard units to become a part of the United States Space Command (later United States Strategic Command). Its mission is augmentation for USSTRATCOM's global operations center (GOC) which coordinates and directs the use of the Department of Defense’s military space forces.[citation needed]
The 119 CACS provides support to Headquarters USSTRATCOM via three primary Command and Control mission areas: Global Operations, Homeland Defense Operations, and Natural Disaster Events.[7][8]
History
editThe 119 CACS was originally activated as 119th Aircraft Warning and Control Squadron in 1950. Since its inception, the 119 ACS had always operated tactical (mobile) radar systems, but was slated to lose its mission and association with Air Combat Command. This provided a fortuitous opportunity for the unit to be associated with USSPACECOM as a direct supporting unit. In the mid-1990s, USSPACECOM commander Gen Howard Estes III directed the command to expand the role of guard and reserve forces in operations from two percent to 20 percent.[1][9]
Previous designations
edit- 119th Command and Control Squadron (16 August 2002 – present)[10]
- 119th Air Control Squadron on (16 June 1992 – 16 August 2002)[1]
- 119th Tactical Control Squadron (1 September 1965 – 16 June 1992)[10]
- 119th Aircraft Warning & Control Flight (1 December 1953 – 1 September 1965)[10]
- 119th Aircraft Warning & Control Squadron (21 March 1949 – 1 December 1953)[10]
Commanders
edit- Col Vince Franklin (2012 – present) [3]
- Lt Col David Evans (2008–2012)[1]
- Lt Col Luttrell Gus Schettler (2003–2008)[11]
- Lt Col John F. White (1995–2003)[9]
- Lt Col Clyde Huskey(??-??)[11]
- Lt Col Nick Hanson(1987–1993)[11]
- Lt Col Fred Bonney (1974–1987)[11]
- Lt Col James W. Manley (1972–1974)
- Lt Col Arthur P. Wright (1964–1972)
- Maj Oscar L. Williams Jr. (1952–1953)
- Col John R. Douglas (1950–1964)
Bases stationed
edit- McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tennessee(16 August 2002 – present)[1][12]
- Alcoa ANGS, Tennessee (1 September 1965 – 16 August 2002)
- Otis Air Force Base (18 January 1952 – 1 September 1965)[1]
- Knoxville National Guard Armory, Tennessee(6 October 1950 – 18 January 1952)[1]
Decorations
edit- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
[1][10]
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award[10]
- 1 January 1999 – 3 September 2002
- 8 April 1991 – 27 October 1991
- National Guard Meritorious Service Awards × 2[1]
- Air Guard Outstanding Mission Support Squadron Awards × 2[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "House of Representatives: "Rep Duncan Honors the 119th Air Control Squadron"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ House of Representatives: "Rep Duncan Celebrates Air National Guard Base",7 September 2007
- ^ a b Knoxnews.com "Changing of the Guard: Franklin Named New Commander of 119th"
- ^ Tennessee National Guard History
- ^ "Defense Technical Information Center: Final JTIMS "v2.3" Requirements, 17 Aug 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Tennessee ANG Vacancy: TECHNICIAN VACANCY Announcement Number 09-124" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Tennessee Military Department: Col L. Gus Schettler Official Biography" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ "National Guard Bureau: "Statement By Lieutenant General H Steven Blum Chief, National Guard Bureau Before The Commission On The National Guard And Reserves On The Appropriate Role Of The National Guard And Reserves In Homeland Security And Homeland Defense"". Archived from the original on 14 July 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ a b "Tennessee Guardsmen keeping eye on space", 1 Sep 2000
- ^ a b c d e f AF FOIA Request 2009-0006-F, 13 July 2009
- ^ a b c d "Blount Today.com: "Changing Command Photo Gallery"". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Air National Guard: ANG RESOURCE BOOK TOTAL FORCE STRUCTURE" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2009.