[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16008]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATIONS TO AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND

 Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the outstanding 
accomplishments of the men and women of Air Force Space Command, which 
celebrates the 20th anniversary of their creation this week. On 
September 1, 1982, the Air Force formally activated Space Command. This 
single event would forever change the way the United States fights and 
wins its wars.
  Space Command originated as an operational command standing shoulder-
to-shoulder with other Air Force operational commands such as the 
historic Strategic Air Command. Although the command was young, the 
visionary men and women of Space Command quickly stepped up to their 
immense task. These pioneers looked to the future and recognized the 
vast potential space-based systems could provide our nation.
   In the two decades since Space Command was created, the Air Force's 
space programs have come a long way. In 1983, Space Command was given 
the responsibility for operating the Air Force's world wide network of 
surveillance and missile warning sensors. Also in the 1980's Space 
Command was given responsibility for command and control of its first 
two satellite constellations, the Defense Meteorological Satellite 
Program and the Defense Support Program. These satellite programs 
continue to be a crucial element of the nation's warfighting 
capability. The early nineties saw Air Force Space Command also take 
responsibility of all operational space lift vehicles, followed by the 
Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBMs.
  In the years leading up to Desert Storm, Air Force Space Command 
continued to expand its capabilities and enhance our Nation's 
warfighting forces. Desert Storm provided us the first glimpses of how 
space-based capabilities can transform the way we fight wars. The 
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program enabled planners to avoid 
adverse weather conditions and allowed General Schwarzkopf to 
successfully execute his now famous ``Hail Mary'' attack against the 
Iraqis by showing him where his tanks could effectively maneuver. The 
Defense Support Program was invaluable in providing early warning of 
SCUD launches. And the effectiveness of our bombing was just starting 
to see the improvements enabled by the Global Positioning System. On 
the first night of the war, Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missiles 
descended on Baghdad with deadly accuracy after using Global 
Positioning System to update their own internal navigation.
  Desert Storm gave us a preview of space-based capabilities, and in 
the years that followed the innovative men and women of Air Force Space 
Command continued to refine these capabilities and experiment with the 
best way to employ them. Operation Enduring Freedom showed the fruits 
of their hard effort. Communications and GPS satellites enabled the 
tremendous feat of a B-52 providing close air support to a soldier on 
the ground within minutes of the soldier calling in a target.
  Today Air Force Space Command is a unique command within the Air 
Force, responsible for both acquisition and operation of Air Force 
satellite systems, launch vehicles, and missiles with over 30,000 
people stationed around the globe. The role of Air Force Space Command 
is continuing to grow as they develop even more sophisticated systems 
such as SBIRS, the Space Based Radar, and advanced communication 
satellites, while expanding into areas such as space control. I 
congratulate Air Force Space Command on a very successful 20 years and 
wish them the very best for the next twenty.

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