BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo -- Mission Delta 4 reflected on their recent accomplishments and impact on world events as U.S. Space Force Col. Bobby Schmitt turned leadership of the Delta over to U.S. Space Force Col. Aaron Cochran during a ceremony held here, July 16, 2025.
MD 4 is responsible for the Space Force’s Missile Warning and Tracking mission, and is the Space Force’s largest, most geographically-diverse Delta. Their mission has played a direct role in recent world events, allowing U.S. allies and forward-deployed forces to defeat Iranian missile strikes and prevent the loss of life.
“There’s a lot of people launching missiles lately,” said U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr., Commander of Space Operations Command, who presided over the ceremony. “In many cases, the only warning our allies and forward-deployed forces get comes from Mission Delta 4.”
According to Miller, MD 4’s Guardians have tracked thousands of missile launches and tens of thousands of infrared events in the past two years.
“There are other places where you can take a break,” Miller added, “That’s never going to happen. Somebody will always have the watch.”
Schmitt reflected on the team’s achievements since he took command two years ago.
"I'm so proud to have served with you during this consequential time in our history," said Schmidt. "You stood the watch every hour of every day to ensure we were ready to protect our people, to ensure we were ready to provide life-saving combat capabilities to the joint force and our allies, all while taking care of each other."
The list of MD 4 achievements in the last two years includes:
-Assuring regional defense from over 500 Iranian kinetic attack vehicles, protecting 34,000 forward-deployed U.S. service members, allies and civilians
-Transitioned to the Integrated Mission Delta structure, bringing space operations, cyber operations, intelligence and sustainment under one roof
-Transferred the Army’s Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) capability into the Space Force
-Implemented the Space Force Generation (SPAFORGEN) cycle
-Recognized as SpOC’s Delta of the Year in 2023, won Air Force Historical Association’s Doolittle Award for 2024
“You delivered what was asked of you, and then when I came and asked for more, you delivered again,” said Schmitt.
Schmitt is moving on to an assignment with U.S. Space Forces - Space.
Cochran comes to MD 4 from United States Space Command’s Joint Overhead Persistent Infrared Center, where he served as deputy director.
"I will make you this one promise today," said Cochran, "I will always give you 100% and I will expect the same from you. I'm excited to capitalize on your ingenuity, innovation and decision making."