21st Space Operations Squadron

21st Space Operations Squadron
21st Space Operations Squadron emblem
Active	1991–Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Combat support
Role	Satellite Control C2
Part of	AFSPC/14 AF/50th Space Wing
Garrison/HQ	Vandenberg AFB
Nickname(s)	Eye In The Sky
Motto(s)	"Gateway To The Stars"
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col Phillip A. Verroco

The 21st Space Operations Squadron (21 SOPS) is a satellite control unit of the 50th Network Operations Group of the United States Air Force located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. It operated Onizuka Air Force Station from its formation in 1991 until the closure of the station in 2010.

The mission of the 21st Space Operations Squadron is to plan and conduct specialized communications for a wide spectrum of Department of Defense, allied, civilian and national space systems. The squadron monitors, maintains and updates status of the $6.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network resources, providing configuration and readiness condition of controlled resources. The squadron operates four AFSCN remote tracking stations performing on-orbit satellite tracking, telemetry, commanding, mission data retrieval operations, pre-launch satellite test and checkout, as well as direct operations launch support. Additionally, the squadron is responsible for the operations and maintenance support of the Global Positioning System ground antennas and monitor stations at Diego Garcia Tracking Station, Kaena Point Tracking Station, and the Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The 21st Space Operations Squadron supports DOD-assigned space missions by operating, maintaining and providing logistical support for the common user resources of the AFSCN. The 21 SOPS Network Operations Center is the prime AFSCN fault detection and isolation resource for the primary and additional operational switch replacement communication links. The squadron supports more than 150 DOD, allied, civil and national satellites by monitoring, maintaining and updating status of AFSCN communication resources, and providing configuration and readiness condition of controlled resources to multiple users and command centers.

In addition to providing worldwide AFSCN access, 21 SOPS also enables specialized support to the international space community by providing network communications. The unit is responsible for operating and maintaining two 38-foot Defense Information Systems Agency satellite communication antennas.