148th Space Operations Squadron

The United States Air Force's 148th Space Operations Squadron (148th SOPS) is a satellite control unit located at Vandenberg AFB, California. The 148th SOPS is tasked with back-up command and control of the MILSTAR satellite constellation.

Mission
The 148 SOPS mans the Milstar Operations Center-Vandenberg (MOC-V), one of two fixed Milstar Ground Stations. Unique to Milstar is its ground segment for control of the constellation. Milstar has two fixed ground stations, Milstar Satellite Operations Center (MSOC), at 4 SOPS and Milstar Operations Center – Vandenberg or MOC-V. Each site is fully capable of complete constellation control and operates 24/7. The Milstar Ops Center-Vandenberg is operated by the 148th SOPS, a California Air Guard Unit, and does control 2 Milstar satellites full time.

History
The 148th SOPS was originally established as the 148th Combat Communications Squadron at Compton, California. The unit was redesignated the 148th Space Operations Squadron, and relocated to Vandenberg AFB, California on 31 October 2000.

Previous designations

 * 148th Space Operations Squadron (2000–Present)
 * 148th Combat Communications Squadron (???-2000)
 * 148th Mobil Communications Squadron (196? - 197?)

Locations

 * Vandenberg AFB, California (2000–Present)
 * March ARB, California (1997–2000)
 * Ontario ANGS, California (1984–1997)
 * Compton, California (sometime before 1968 until sometime after 1977) It was called the 148th Mobil Communications Squadron at this time.