PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo -- Mission Delta 31 marked a milestone in their history as their first commander, U.S. Space Force Col. Andrew Menschner, handed the reins over to U.S. Space Force Col. Stephen Hobbs during a ceremony held here, June 27, 2025.
Responsible for the Space Force’s Positioning, Navigation and Timing mission, MD 31 is more commonly known by the general public as the operators of the Global Positioning System. In addition to the indispensable warfighting applications of GPS, billions around the world use MD 31’s timing signals to power economics, agriculture, navigation, and emergency services.
The delta also manages the Satellite Control Network , a network of antennas around the world that communicate with and control U.S. Government satellites.
“Everybody, every mission of the United States military is dependent in some form or fashion on the GPS team,” said U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr., commander of Space Operations Command, who presided over the event.
“I have been incredibly impressed with what they have done,” Miller added, citing MD 31’s 45% improvement in GPS signal accuracy during Menschner’s tenure.
Menschner reflected on his time in command, having led the MD 31 team since the unit was activated as the provisional PN T Integrated Mission Delta in 2023.
"It's been an honor of a lifetime to be your first commander, and I'm thrilled with all that we've been able to accomplish," said Menschner. "In less than 2 years, we've gone from an idea on paper to a mission delta responsible for 37 satellites, 22 antennas, operations and sustainment of two weapons systems and a team of over 1,000 people in 15 geographic locations."
Menschner cited the numerous achievements of MD 31 Guardians since its establishment. As the Space Force’s prototype Integrated Mission Delta, the organization was the first to combine acquisition, operations and sustainment missions into one team, resulting in unprecedented unity of command. The unit also launched two new GPS III satellites faster than ever before and provided innumerable support to the joint force.
Menschner moves on to be the deputy commander of Space Systems Command.
Hobbs, having previously served as deputy commander of MD 31, brings continuity and perspective to his new role.
"We live in dangerous times," said Hobbs, "and as seen by recent geopolitical events, our warfighters and the warfighters from all the services have to be ready and prepared to defend our way of life. As some say, it's up to us. No one else is coming."
"So you may be challenged more than ever over the next two years to train harder, deliver faster, operate with more tenacity and sustain capability more effectively than ever before," Hobbs continued. "I also know that you're up to this difficult task. With all of you guiding the spear, I know we will be successful."