16th SPCS, 380th Airmen return from deployment

Published Feb. 1, 2010
By Capt. Rakanem Milligan
16th Space Control Squadron

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A team of Airmen assigned to the 16th and 380th Space Control Squadrons returned home after completing deployments to support defensive counterspace missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

The 16th SPCS is Air Force Space Command's first defensive counterspace squadron and draws manpower support from its Reserve Associate Unit, the 380th Space Control Squadron. Together, they employ the Rapid Attack Identification Detection Reporting System, or RAIDRS.

The U.S. military's reliance on satellite communications has increased exponentially over the past decade, and threats such as interference from both intentional and unintentional sources is of growing concern. To address the threat, the RAIDRS Deployable Ground Segment Zero has provided electromagnetic interference, detection, and reporting for critical satellite communications systems in direct support of U.S. Central Command combat operations.

According to Capt. Stephen Hobbs, 20th SPCS, the opportunity to deploy with the system was a unique experience. Captain Hobbs augmented the team as a crew commander.

"I'm currently assigned to Eglin Air Force Base employing a phased array radar and prior to that was a missileer," he said "This experience - the location, the equipment, and the dynamic operating environment - was completely different from anything I've done before and was a great learning experience."

Lt. Col. Paul Tombarge, 16th SPCS commander, praised the efforts of his team.

"As Air Force Space Command's longest continuously deployed space mission, our Silent Sentry teams have accomplished many historic milestones over the past four and a half years and this team is no exception," he said. "They did a truly outstanding job in an austere environment."

Maj. Jerade Tipton, one of the Silent Sentry team members, said the deployment was rewarding.

"From the successful execution of new tactics, techniques, and procedures in a joint combat environment, to transitioning our desert operations into a permanent facility after four years in a tent, it was a professionally gratifying tour," he said.