| Unit Name: | 45th Launch Support Squadron |
| Dates: | 30 June 2005 – present |
| Country: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Type: | Launch Support |
| Command Structure: | 45th Launch Group |
| Current Commander: | Lt Col Kathryn Cantu |
| Garrison: | Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida |
| Motto: | Battlespace Dominance Through Satellite Integration |
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.
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.[1]
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.
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.[2]
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.[3]
| No. | Launch Date | Mission | Vehicle | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | , 2006 | MiTEx | Delta II | First mission with spacecraft processed by the 45th Launch Support Squadron. | |
| 2 | , 2006 | GPS IIR-15M | Delta II | ||
| 3 | , 2006 | GPS IIR-16 | Delta II | ||
| 4 | , 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 satellites | |
| 6 | , 2007 | GPS IIR-17 | Delta II | ||
| 7 | , 2007 | DSP-23 | Delta IV | Final launch of a DSP satellite and first operational launch of a Delta IV Heavy | |
| 8 | , 2007 | GPS IIR-18 | Delta II | ||
| 9 | , 2008 | GPS IIR-19 | Delta II | ||
| 10 | , 2009 | GPS IIR-20 | Delta II | ||
| 11 | , 2009 | WGS-2 | Atlas V | ||
| 12 | , 2009 | GPS IIR-21 | Delta II | Final launch of a GPS IIR series satellite. | |
| 13 | , 2009 | PAN | Atlas V | ||
| 14 | , 2009 | STSS Demo | Delta II | ||
| 15 | , 2009 | WGS-3 | Delta IV | Final Block 1 WGS satellite | |
| 16 | , 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 V | ||
| 22 | , 2011 | SBIRS GEO-1 | Atlas V | First launch of the next generation of missile warning satellites. | |
| 23 | , 2011 | GPS IIF-2 | Delta IV | ||
| 24 | , 2012 | WGS-4 | Delta IV | First launch of the upgrafed Block II satellites | |
| 25 | , 2012 | MUOS-1 | Atlas V | First of a kind United States Navy UHF satellite. | |
| 26 | , 2012 | AEHF-2 | Atlas V | ||
| 27 | , 2012 | COTS Demo Flight 2 | Falcon 9 | First commercial resupply of the International Space Station | |
| 28 | , 2012 | RBSP | Atlas V | ||
| 29 | , 2012 | GPS IIF-3 | Delta IV | ||
| 30 | , 2012 | Falcon 9 | |||
| 31 | , 2012 | OTV-3 | Atlas V |