# Mission Delta 4

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**Mission Delta 4** (**MD4**) is a [United States Space Force](/source/United_States_Space_Force) unit responsible for providing strategic and theater missile warning and tracking to the United States and its international partners. It operates three constellations of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites and two types of Ground-Based Radars (GBRs) for the purpose of conducting strategic and theater missile warning and tracking. Additionally, DEL 4 provides [tipping and cueing](/source/Tipping_and_cueing) to missile defense forces, battlespace awareness to combatant commanders and technical intelligence for further analysis and manages weapon system architectures and ensures operations are intelligence-led, cyber-resilient, and driven by innovation, while postured to operate in a contested, degraded, and operationally-limited environment.[4][5]

Activated on 24 July 2020, the delta is headquartered at [Buckley Space Force Base](/source/Buckley_Space_Force_Base), [Colorado](/source/Colorado).[4][6] On 31 October 2024 it was redesignated Mission Delta 4 and gained sustainment responsibilities, along with organic cyber defense and intelligence forces.[7]

## History

DEL 4 was based on the previous 460th Operations Group, [460th Space Wing](/source/460th_Space_Wing) and [21st Operations Group](/source/21st_Operations_Group), [21st Space Wing](/source/21st_Space_Wing).[8][9]

In lineage terms, the delta was originally established as 460 Operations Group (460 SW) on 2 August 2004.[10] It was activated on 19 August 2004. It was redesignated as Space Delta 4 on 24 July 2020. Its status changed officially from a unit of the United States Air Force to a unit of the United States Space Force on 21 October 2020.

In 2023, Space Delta 4 assumed control of the U.S. Army's [Joint Tactical Ground Station](/source/Joint_Tactical_Ground_Station).[5] On 31 October 2024 it was redesignated Mission Delta 4 and gained sustainment responsibilities, along with organic cyber defense and intelligence forces.[7]

## Structure

Emblem Name Function Headquarters Spacecraft and ground-based radars Detachments Squadrons 2nd Space Warning Squadron Missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence[11] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Defense Support Program Space Based Infrared System 3rd Satellite Communications Squadron[12] Military communications[11] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado 5th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness[11] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Joint Tactical Ground Station Det 1: Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy[13] Det 2: Qatar[a][14] Det 3: Osan Air Base, South Korea[15] Det 4: Misawa Air Base, Japan[16] 6th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness[11] Cape Cod Space Force Station, Massachusetts AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar 7th Space Warning Squadron Missile Defense and space domain awareness[11] Beale Air Force Base, California AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar Long Range Discrimination Radar 10th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness[11] Cavalier Space Force Station, North Dakota AN/FPQ-16 Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System 11th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence[11] Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Defense Support Program Space Based Infrared System 12th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning and space domain awareness[11] Pituffik Space Base, Greenland AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar 13th Space Warning Squadron Missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness[11] Clear Space Force Station, Alaska AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar AN/FPS-108 Cobra Dane (Operating Location) Long Range Discrimination Radar Operating Location: Eareckson Air Station, Alaska Operating locations Operating Location – Fylingdales Missile warning and space domain awareness[11] RAF Fylingdales, United Kingdom AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar

## List of commanders

No. Commander Term Ref Portrait Name Took office Left office Duration

## Notes

1. This detachment location is inferred based on the locations of the detachments of the 1st Space Company, 1st Space Battalion of the U.S. Army, of which there were four. This unit is what was absorbed by the Space Force to become the 5th Space Warning Squadron. This detachment was previously known as JTAGS-Qatar under the Army.[17]

## References

1. ["CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT TAMMIE D. GAUDU"](https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2733472/chief-master-sergeant-tammie-d-gaudu/). *www.buckley.spaceforce.mil*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211024062853/https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2733472/chief-master-sergeant-tammie-d-gaudu/) October 24, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 18, 2021.

1. [https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/4249317/randall-e-carlson-phd/](https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/4249317/randall-e-carlson-phd/)

1. ["Chief Master Sergeant Kyle T. Mullen"](https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/3616571/chief-master-sergeant-kyle-t-mullen/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buckley.spaceforce.mil%2FAbout-Us%2FBiographies%2FDisplay%2FArticle%2F3616571%2Fchief-master-sergeant-kyle-t-mullen%2F). *Buckley Space Force Base*

1. ["Buckley Air Force Base Units"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724194215/https://www.buckley.af.mil/Units/). [Buckley Air Force Base](/source/Buckley_Air_Force_Base). Archived from [the original](https://www.buckley.af.mil/Units/) on July 24, 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.

1. Harpley, Unshin (October 5, 2023). ["Space Force Takes Over JTAGS Mission from the Army"](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-control-jtags-mission-army/). *Air & Space Forces Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231023164532/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-control-jtags-mission-army/) October 23, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 7, 2023.

1. ["Buckley Air Force Base Biographies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724194922/https://www.buckley.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/). [Buckley Air Force Base](/source/Buckley_Air_Force_Base). Archived from [the original](https://www.buckley.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/) on July 24, 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.

1. George, Ashley D. (October 31, 2024). ["Two DELs transition to fully-integrated Mission Deltas"](https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3952582/two-dels-transition-to-fully-integrated-mission-deltas). *www.spoc.spaceforce.mil*. Retrieved March 16, 2025.

1. [Space Force Organisations Take Shape](https://www.airforcemag.com/space-force-organizations-take-shape-as-selection-boards-meet/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200811195538/https://www.airforcemag.com/space-force-organizations-take-shape-as-selection-boards-meet/) August 11, 2020 at the Wayback Machine, July 24, 2020.

1. ["Space Delta 4 - Missile Warning"](https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/322395/space-delta-4-missile-warning/). *Buckley Air Force Base*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201117113746/https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/322395/space-delta-4-missile-warning/) November 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-11-10.

1. ["Space Delta 4 (SpOC)"](https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/3377245/space-delta-4-spoc/). *Air Force Historical Research Agency*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230711020232/https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/3377245/space-delta-4-spoc/) July 11, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.

1. ["Space Delta 4 - Missile Warning"](https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/322395/space-delta-4-missile-warning/). *Buckley Space Force Base*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201117113746/https://www.buckley.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/322395/space-delta-4-missile-warning/) November 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 10, 2020.

1. ["Space Delta 4"](https://www.facebook.com/USSFSpaceDelta4/posts/pfbid0eFJYDa1ffrFnvk5QM1zZe2kRH5DHbgJb6KD8aC2zepsTRSAmg8PXWSh6C9CvauwWl). *www.facebook.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220920022951/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUSSFSpaceDelta4%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0eFJYDa1ffrFnvk5QM1zZe2kRH5DHbgJb6KD8aC2zepsTRSAmg8PXWSh6C9CvauwWl) September 20, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 20, 2022.

1. Culbertson, Kelsey (9 November 2023). ["U.S. Space Force Detachment Activates in Italy"](https://www.dvidshub.net/news/457523/us-space-force-detachment-activates-italy). *DVIDS*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231130174054/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/457523/us-space-force-detachment-activates-italy) November 30, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 November 2023.

1. Williams, Sarah (9 November 2023). ["5th Space Warning Squadron keeps eyes in the sky"](https://www.dvidshub.net/news/458526/5th-space-warning-squadron-keeps-eyes-sky). *DVIDS*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231217065131/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/458526/5th-space-warning-squadron-keeps-eyes-sky) December 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 November 2023.

1. Gordnier, Trevor (17 November 2023). ["5th Space Warning Squadron Detachment 3 activates"](https://www.7af.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3591912/5th-space-warning-squadron-detachment-3-activates/). *7th Air Force*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231217065136/https://www.7af.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3591912/5th-space-warning-squadron-detachment-3-activates/) December 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 November 2023.

1. Bolfing, Brieana (26 October 2023). ["JTAGS mission transfers from Army to Space Force"](https://www.5af.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3570770/jtags-mission-transfers-from-army-to-space-force/). *5th Air Force*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231217065132/https://www.5af.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3570770/jtags-mission-transfers-from-army-to-space-force/) December 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 November 2023.

1. Rognstad, Aaron (6 April 2020). ["JTAGS initial entry course teaches missile detection"](https://www.army.mil/article/245019/jtags_initial_entry_course_teaches_missile_detection). *U.S. Army*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211202092140/https://www.army.mil/article/245019/jtags_initial_entry_course_teaches_missile_detection) December 2, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 November 2023.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mission Delta 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Delta_4) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Delta_4?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.