The 45th Launch Support Squadron(45 LCSS) is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. It is assigned to the 45th Launch Group along with its sister squadron the 5th Space Launch Squadron.

Mission The 45th Launch Support Squadron (LCSS) delivers a broad array of organic launch and launch support capabilities. In partnership with the satellite system directorates, the LCSS provides launch-base mission assurance for satellites by overseeing spacecraft hardware arrival, launch preparations, testing and launch. In addition, the squadron contains a program management office which ensures delivery of mission-critical facilities, launch support services such as training and ordnance management, and programmatic resources to Eastern Range customers. Finally, the LCSS provides a single interface for emerging DoD, civil, and commercial launch providers to access 45 SW services and successfully bring new launch capabilities to the United States.

History The 45th Launch Support Squadron was activated on 30 June 2005. The first mission with spacecraft processed by the 45 LCSS was the Micro-satellite Technology Experiment (MiTEx) which launched on 21 June 2006.

Emblem Description

On a disc Sable, arrayed to chief three deltas Silver Gray each with a contrail Or fimbriated Tenné issuing from behind a terrestrial globe Proper, environed by an orbit of the fourth charged with a sphere of the second, all within a narrow border Orange.

Attached below the disc, a Black scroll edged with a narrow Orange border and inscribed “45TH LAUNCH SUPPORT SQUADRON” in Orange letters.

Symbolism

Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The black background represents space. The three deltas signify the multiple launch vehicles the Squadron supports and the three Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. The earth and orbiting satellite describes the global nature of the unit’s mission.

List of commanders

Lt Col Scott Traxler Lt Col John Wagner Lt Col Erik Bowman Lt Col Gerard G. Gleckel Jr. Lt Col Paul P. Konyha III Lt Col Matthew E. Holston, July 2014 – July 2016 Lt Col Kathryn Cantu, 15 August 2016 – present

45 LCSS Missions

List of LCSS Launches No.Launch DateMission Vehicle Notes 1 2006 MiTEx Delta II First mission with spacecraft processed by the 45th Launch Support Squadron.2 2006 GPS IIR-15M Delta II3 2006 GPS IIR-16 Delta II4 2007 STP-1 Atlas V First launch of a USAF payload on an Atlas V.5 2007 WGS-1 Atlas V First of six WGS satellites6 2007 GPS IIR-17 Delta II7 2007 DSP-23 Delta IV Final launch of a DSP satellite and first operational launch of a Delta IV Heavy8 2007 GPS IIR-18 Delta II9 2008 GPS IIR-19 Delta II10 2009 GPS IIR-20 Delta II11 2009 WGS-2 Atlas V12 2009 GPS IIR-21 Delta II Final launch of a GPS IIR series satellite.13 2009 PAN Atlas V14 2009 STSS Demo Delta II15 2009 WGS-3 Delta IV Final Block 1 WGS satellite16 2010 OTV-1 Atlas V First launch of a reusable unmanned space vehicle.17 2010 GPS IIF-1 Delta IV First launch of IIF block of GPS satellites.18 2010 Falcon 9 Flight 1 Falcon 9 First all commercial launch from CCAFS.19 2010 AEHF-1 Atlas V First launch of an AEHF military communication satellite.20 2010 COTS Demo Flight 1 Falcon 9 First launch, orbit, and recovery of an operational Dragon capsule.21 2011 OTV-2 Atlas V22 2011 SBIRS GEO-1 Atlas V First launch of the next generation of missile warning satellites.23 2011 GPS IIF-2 Delta IV24 2012 WGS-4 Delta IV First launch of the upgrafed Block II satellites25 2012 MUOS-1 Atlas V First of a kind United States Navy UHF satellite.26 2012 AEHF-2 Atlas V27 2012 COTS Demo Flight 2 Falcon 9 First commercial resupply of the International Space Station28 2012 RBSP Atlas V29 2012 GPS IIF-3 Delta IV30 2012 CRS-1 Falcon 931 2012 OTV-3 Atlas V

References

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