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5 December 2003 |
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A reorganization of space units to streamline the launch business has some Vandenberg Air Force Base officers and enlisted members slapping on new patches this week. Undersecretary of the Air Force Peter B. Teets recently approved an Air Force Space Command proposal to realign squadrons and form launch groups at Vandenberg and its East Coast counterpart, Patrick AFB in Florida. Members of the affected units donned new shoulder patches to denote the new squadrons. "This reorganization ensures better flow and accountability throughout the entire launch process through a synthesis of both acquisitions and operations," said Col. Frank Gallegos, 30th Space Wing commander at Vandenberg. "This will enable us to continue to effectively provide assured access to space for our customers." Both bases will hold interim ceremonies today to mark the reorganization and arrival of new patches, which became effective Monday. Larger formal ceremonies are planned for January. The transformation takes detachments that worked for Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, though they were based at Vandenberg and Patrick, and combines them with launch units in a move designed to streamline the organization's flow charts. "For the first time ever, we will unite rocket scientists and engineers with operators," Gallegos said. The plans will not affect the number of personnel at either site but will change to whom they report, authorities said. Col. Randy Turner will lead the first-ever 30th Launch Group. Under the 30th Launch Group, the 4th Space Launch Squadron was activated with Lt. Col. Lee Rosen as commander. The 4th SLS members will handle the Air Force's next-generation rockets under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, with Atlas 5 and Delta 4 boosters. The 1st Air and Space Test Squadron was activated with Lt. Col. Marc DiCocco as its commander. This unit was derived from the deactivation of SMC's Detachment 9 and will continue to test newer and better booster technologies. The 2nd Space Launch Squadron was reassigned from the 30th Operations Group and will continue leading efforts on the final Titan 4 mission in 2005. Under the existing 30th Operations Group, the 2nd Range Operations Squadron was activated with Lt. Col. Jeffrey Follansbee as its commander. This group will include the 30th Space Communications Squadron and the 30th Range Management Squadron. The 30th Maintenance Group and the 30th Range Squadron were deactivated. "The 30th Operations Group will be the central nervous system of the launch process," Gallegos said. Staff writer Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or by e-mail at janscully@pulitzer.net.
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