Mission Delta 4 (MD4) operates and supports 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.
Additionally, MD4 provides tipping and cueing to missile defense forces, battlespace awareness to Combatant Commanders and technical intelligence for further analysis. MD4 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. MD4 is one of eight mission-oriented Deltas within the United States Space Force.
MD4 is headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, with additional personnel and functions at ten locations in the United States and worldwide.
MISSION
To provide strategic and theater missile warning to the United States and our International Partners.
VISION
The United States and our International Partners free from the threat of missile attacks.
HISTORY
MD4 was activated 24 July 2020 at Buckley AFB, Colorado. MD4 was formed from elements of the 460th Space Wing and 21st Space Wing in the United States Air Force.
MD4 UNITS
460th Operations Support Squadron: 460 OSS, located at Buckley SFB, Colorado, is responsible for operational training and certification of all space professionals assigned to MD4, as well as tactics development, engineering support, crew force management and student accessions.
2d Space Warning Squadron: 2 SWS, located at Buckley SFB, Colorado, operates Defense Support Program and Space-Based Infrared System satellites to provide strategic and theater missile warning, while also supporting missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence.
5th Space Warning Squadron: 5th SWS, located at Buckley SFB, conducts critical theater missile warning operations by providing real-time, 24/7 missile warning information, ensuring effective execution of military functions across the joint force.
6th Space Warning Squadron: 6 SWS, located at Cape Cod AFS, Massachusetts, provides strategic missile warning and space domain awareness by operating and maintaining the Upgraded Early Warning Radar.
7th Space Warning Squadron: 7 SWS, located at Beale AFB, California, provides strategic missile warning and space domain awareness by operating and maintaining the Upgraded Early Warning Radar. 7 SWS also supports operation of the Long Range Discrimation Radar.
10th Space Warning Squadron: 10 SWS, located at Cavalier AFS, North Dakota, provides strategic missile warning and space domain awareness by operating and maintaining the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System.
11th Space Warning Squadron: 11 SWS, located at Buckley SFB, Colorado, operates Defense Support Program and Space-Based Infrared System satellites to provide strategic and theater missile warning, while also supporting missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence.
12th Space Warning Squadron: 12th SWS, located at Thule AB, Greenland, provides strategic missile warning and space domain awareness by operating and maintaining the Upgraded Early Warning Radar.
13th Space Warning Squadron: 13 SWS, located at Clear AFS, Alaska, provides strategic missile warning and space domain awareness by operating and maintaining the Upgraded Early Warning Radar. 13 SWS also supports missile defense and space domain awareness through the Cobra Dane radar at Eareckson AFS, Alaska and the Long Range Discrimination Radar co-located at Clear AFS.
Detachment 1: MD4, Det 1, located at Buckley SFB, Colorado, operates and maintains critical communications paths in support of missile warning operations.
Operating Location – Fylingdales: MD4 maintains a liaison officer collocated with the Upgraded Early Warning Radar operated by the Royal Air Force at RAF Fylingdales in the United Kingdom. This liaison officer is a bridge to US missile warning operations and advises the RAF station commander on operational issues.
62d Cyber Squadron: Though assigned to DEL 6, the 62 CS, located at Buckley SFB, Colorado, provides Mission Defense Teams that actively protect all Delta mission communications architectures from cyber attack.
Detachment 1, 71st ISR Squadron: Though assigned to DEL 7, the 71 ISRS, Det 1 located at Buckley SFB, Colorado, provides intelligence analysis and support to all MD4 units in support of both space- and ground-based sensors.