Airmen assigned to two space control squadrons at Peterson AFB, Colo., recently surpassed five years of continuous overseas deployments to support US military activities in Afghanistan and Iraq. The two units are the 16th SPCS and 380th SPCS. Airmen in these units execute Operation Silent Sentry, operating the rapid attack identification detection reporting system that monitors and protects the US military’s satellite communication links. RAIDRS helps detect, characterize, and locate sources of interference. “Originally intended as a 120-day proof of concept demonstration, the [RAIDRS] prototype was so successful that US Central Command retained the system indefinitely,” said Lt. Col. Paul Tombarge, 16th SPCS commander. Future deployment requirements are expected to ebb somewhat as RAIDRS Block 10, the next increment, is fielded starting later this summer. The Block 10 system allows for the remote control of RAIDRS sensors located worldwide from a central operating location at Peterson. (Peterson report by SSgt. Daniel Bava) (For background on RAIDRS, read Hold the High Ground from the Daily Report archives.)
The Space Force is playing a key role in planning for “Golden Dome,” President Donald Trump’s initiative for comprehensive air and missile defense of the homeland, leaders said this week. But actually building and fielding the ambitious idea will require a major concerted effort across the Pentagon and intelligence community.