1st Space Brigade

The 1st Space Brigade conducts space operations to deliver decisive combat power in support of the Army and joint warfighting communities. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the brigade supports joint forces and their critical dependence on space capabilities and products through the unique mission sets of its subordinate battalions and associated unit battalion.

1st Space Brigade
Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia
Active2005–present[1]
Country United States
Branch United States Army
TypeBrigade
RoleSpace operations
Part ofUnited States Army Space and Missile Defense Command
HeadquartersColorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Websitewww.smdc.army.mil/ORGANIZATION/1st-Space-Brigade/
Commanders
CommanderCOL Mark A. Cobos
CSMCSM Maurice L. Tucker
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The brigade, activated in 2005 to fill a capability need that became particularly important as the Global Positioning System, Army Space Support Teams and long-haul satellite communications became essential battlefield components, supports warfighters around the world through the activities of two subordinate battalions and one associated unit relationship. The subordinate battalions include the 1st Space Battalion, which stood up in 1999; and the 2nd Space Battalion, which stood up in 2017. The brigade has an associated unit relationship with the Colorado Army National Guard’s 117th Space Battalion, which stood up in September 2001.

In fiscal year 2019 the 1st Space Brigade grew with the addition of the five Missile Defense Batteries forward-stationed across U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command. The batteries operate the forward-based mode AN/TPY-2 radar, conducting ballistic missile tracking operations in support of theater and homeland defense. Additionally, the FBM radar can conduct space surveillance and data collection.

Currently, 25 percent of the brigade’s forces are globally dispersed at stations in 17 locations in 11 countries and 6 time zones. This includes locations throughout U.S. Northern Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility. Significantly, 60 percent of the brigade’s strength execute 24/7/365 missions with the JTAGs, MDBs and current deployments.

The 1st Space Brigade is in constant support of combat operations worldwide. The capabilities the 1st Space Brigade Soldiers leverage in space translate to mission success across all domains and warfighting functions.


Mission: Provide trained and ready space forces to conduct continuous global space force enhancement, space support, space control and special missions in support of combatant commanders, U.S. government agencies and international partners.

Structure

The brigade is composed of the following battalions and separate batteries:[1]

  • 1st Space Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado
    • The 1st Space Battalion’s mission is to plan, integrate, synchronize and execute global theater ballistic missile warning, space situational awareness, space and technical operations support, and assigned contingency activities in support of the Army, joint and combined forces and civil authorities. The 1st Space Battalion provides an operational headquarters for command and control of Army space forces and is currently based out of Fort Carson, Colorado. The 1st Space Battalion consists of four companies, each with a specific focus to help achieve its mission. The battalion’s Soldiers have deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain in support of global operations, while maintaining a full-time, forward-based presence in Italy, Korea, Japan, and Qatar. The battalion operates 24/7/365 integrating space capabilities into operations across 10 locations globally.
  • 2nd Space Battalion, Colorado
    • The 2nd Space Battalion is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its mission is to plan, integrate, synchronize and execute space situational awareness, space and technical operations support, and assigned contingency activities in support of the Army, joint and combined forces and civil authorities. It is the United States Army Reserve’s only space battalion. The 2nd Space Battalion comprises a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Space Company, 5th Space Company and 8th Space Company.
  • 10th Missile Defense Battery, Shariki, Japan
  • 11th Missile Defense Battery, Turkey [2]
  • 12th Missile Defense Battery, Saudi Arabia
  • 13th Missile Defense Battery, Israel
  • 14th Missile Defense Battery, Kyogamisaki, Japan [3]


The 117th Space Battalion, Colorado Army National Guard has a training, readiness, and oversight (TRO) relationship with the 1st Space Brigade but is not actually part of it, as of 2021.[1]

The Colorado Army National Guard's 117th Space Battalion provides a global presence encompassing its primary mission area, space force enhancement. It performs the difficult task of training the citizen-Soldiers assigned to the unit. This allows their service members to develop as ordinary citizens working in various occupations throughout Colorado and the United States.

The battalion also contributes significantly toward the sustainable readiness of the 1st Space Brigade. The battalion's composition includes two space companies, the 217th and 1158th. Each Space Company mans, trains and equips six Army Space Supports Teams.

List of commanders

See also

References

Media related to 1st Space Brigade (United States) at Wikimedia Commons

  1. "1st Space Brigade". www.smdc.army.mil.
  2. "Profiles in Space: Sgt. Ashley Loving, a supply sergeant in the 11th Missile Defense Battery". DVIDS. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  3. "SMDC senior enlisted leader recognizes outstanding Soldiers". DVIDS. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  4. "1st Space Brigade Change of Command". www.army.mil.
  5. "Army's only space brigade changes commanders". www.army.mil.
  6. "James R. Meisinge". LinkedIn.
  7. "1st Space Brigade welcomes new commander". www.army.mil. Thomas L. James
  8. "1st Space Brigade welcomes new commander". www.army.mil. Richard Zellmann
  9. "1st Space Brigade welcomes new commander". www.army.mil. Eric D. Little
  10. "1st Space Brigade welcomes new commander". www.army.mil. Brian C. Bolio
  11. "1st Space Battalion welcomes new commander". DVIDS.
  12. "Leadership". 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Whitney Hall
  13. "New commander lifts off at 1st Space Brigade". DVIDS.
  14. "COL Donald K. Brooks". www.smdc.army.mil. Donald K. Brooks
  1. Colorado's Space Support Teams Take the Fight to the Next Frontier
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