595th Command and Control Group

595th Command and Control Group
Boeing E-4B Airborne Command Post
Active	1970–1993; 2000–2013; 2016–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Command and Control
Part of	Air Force Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQ	Offutt Air Force Base
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Commanders
Current commander	Col. Robert Billings[1]
Insignia
595th Command and Control Group emblem (approved 2016)
595th Space Group emblem (approved 7 September 2007[2]

The 595th Command and Control Group is an active unit of the United States Air Force. It is organized under Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), and its operations are centered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It was activated in a ceremony held on 6 October 2016.^[1]

Mission

The mission of the 595th Command and Control Group is to consolidate the Air Force's portion of the nuclear triad, including Air Force nuclear command and control communications, under the auspices of Global Strike Command. Previously, portions of the Air Force's command and control of nuclear operations had been divided among AFGSC, Air Combat Command, and the Twentieth Air Force.

Units

The 595th Command and Control Group is composed of four squadrons:

• 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron operates the Boeing E-4 National Airborne Command Post mission.
• 595th Strategic Communications Squadron
• 595th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
• 625th Strategic Operations Squadron.

History

Atlas ICBM test launch at Vandenberg AFB, Calif

The unit was first organized by Air Force Systems Command in May 1970 as the 6595 Missile Test Group. In early 1970s, the group conducted ground and flight tests of the Minuteman weapon system. It also launched and tested missile, space and aeronautical systems in support of Department of Defense programs.^[2]

After the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986, the space program was grounded for 34 months until the launch of Space Transportation System-26 in September 1988. After 11 Sep 2001, the group examined vulnerabilities of US space facilities at home and abroad. The Air Force’s Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities Program transferred national capabilities to operational commands. The group's Air Force Space Battlelab developed and field tested capabilities to increase productivity of operational commands. Its Aerospace Fusion Center supported space missile launches.^[2]

The group supported Operation Iraqi Freedom through the application of space applications programs during 2003 and 2004.^[2]

Lineage

• Designated as the 6595th Missile Test Group and activated on 1 May 1970

Redesignated 6595th Test and Evaluation Group on 1 January 1988

Inactivated on 14 September 1993

• Redesignated 595th Test and Evaluation Group on 1 April 2000

Activated on 7 April 2000

Redesignated 595th Space Group on 1 August 2002^[2]

Inactivated on 1 April 2013

• Redesignated 595th Command and Control Group on 26 August 2016^[3]

Activated 6 October 2016^[1]

Assignments

• 6595 Aerospace Test Wing, 1 May 1970
• Western Space and Missile Center, 1 October 1979
• Ballistic Missile Organization, 1 October 1990
• Space and Missile Systems Center, 2 – 14 Sep 1993
• Space Warfare Center, 7 April 2000 – 1 April 2013^[2]
• Eighth Air Force, 6 October 2016 – present^[1]

Operational Components

• 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron: c. 6 October 2016 – present^[1]
• 17th Test Squadron: 7 April 2000 – 1 April 2013
• 25th Space Control Tactics Squadron: 1 July 2004 – 1 April 2013
• 527th Space Aggressor Squadron: 23 October 2002 – 1 April 2013
• 576th Flight Test Squadron: 7 Apr 2000 – 1 April 2013^[2]

Stations

• Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, 1 May 1970 – 14 September 1993^[2]
• Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 7 April 2000 – 1 April 2013^[2][3]
• Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 6 October 2016 – present^[1]

Aircraft & Missiles

• LGM-30 Minuteman (1970–1993, 2000)
• LGM-118 Peacekeeper (1983–1989)
• SM-65 Atlas (1970–1990)
• SM-68 Titan (1970–1993)^[2]
• Boeing E-4B (2016–present)^[1][4]

Awards

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 April 1970-31 March 1971	6595th Missile Test Group[2]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 April 1971-31 March 1973	6595th Missile Test Group[2]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	15 January 1976-14 January 1978	6595th Missile Test Group[2]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	15 January 1978-30 September 1979	6595th Missile Test Group[2]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1984-30 September 1986	6595th Missile Test Group[2]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 January 1990-30 June 1992	6595th Test and Evaluation Group[2]
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award	1 August 1999-31 July 2001	595th Test and Evaluation Group[2]
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award	1 October 2001-1 September 2002	595th Test and Evaluation Group (later 595th Space Group)[2]
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award	1 September 2002-1 September 2003	595th Space Group[2]
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award	2 September 2003-31 August 2004	595th Space Group[2]
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award	1 September 2004-31 August 2005	595th Space Group[2]

References

1. Hammes, SRA Rachel (October 4, 2016). "595th Command and Control Group activates at Offutt" (Press release). Air Force History Index. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
2. Robertson, Patsy , Lineage & Honors History of the 595 Space Group (AFSPC), Air Force Historical Research Agency, 6 April 2006
3. Department of the Air Force/A1M Letter 691t, 26 August 2016, Subject: Organization Actions Affecting Certain Air Force Global Strike Command Units
4. "595th Space Group" (PDF). Air Force Order of Battle. 6 December 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2016.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

External links

• Space Innovation and Development Center Fact Sheet