50th Network Operations Group

The group uses the wing emblem with the group designation in the scroll.

The 50th Network Operations Group (50 NOG) is a unit of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. 50th NOG is the single focal point for operating and maintaining the $8.2 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network and all 50 SW communications and computer systems (C-CS). Specific mission responsibilities are accomplished through the group's four squadrons, six detachments, and the Program Management Office.

The 50 NOG originated as a communications squadron in the Vietnam War in 1965.

Subordinate units

• Program Management Office
• 21st Space Operations Squadron at Onizuka Air Force Station
• 22d Space Operations Squadron
• 23d Space Operations Squadron at New Boston Air Force Station
• 50th Space Communications Squadron

Lineage

• Designated 1879th Communications Squadron and organized, 1 Nov 65
• Redesignated 1879th Information Systems Squadron, 1 Jul 85; 1879th Communications Squadron, 1 Nov 86; 1879th Communications Group, 1 Oct 89
• Inactivated 30 Jan 92 (along with the 2d Space Wing; mission taken by 50th Satellite Communications Squadron assigned to reactivated 50 OG)
• Redesignated 50th Communications Group, 26 Nov 97
• Activated 1 Dec 97
• Inactivated 1 Oct 02 (squadrons transferred to reactivated 50th Maintenance Group [formerly 50th Logistics Group])
• Activated 1 Jun 03 (squadrons transferred back from inactivated 50th Maintenance Group)
• Redesignated 50th Network Operations Group, 10 Mar 04

Assignments

• 1964th Communications Group, 1 Nov 65
• Northern Communications Area, 1 Sep 71
• Airlift Communications Division, 1 Jun 81
• Tactical Communications (later, Tactical Information Systems) Division, 1 Oct 82
• Space Communications (later, Space Information Systems, Space Communications) Division, 1 Oct 84
• 2d Space Wing, 1 Oct 90 – 30 Jan 92
• 50th Space Wing, 1 Dec 97 – 1 Oct 02; 1 Jun 03 – present

Stations

• Nha Trang Airport (later Nha Trang Air Base), South Vietnam, 1 Nov 65 – 1 Sep 71
• Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri, 1 Sep 71
• Falcon Air Force Station (later AFB), Colorado, 1 Oct 84 – 30 Jan 92
• Falcon (later Schriever) AFB, Colorado, 1 Dec 97 – 1 Oct 02; 1 Jun 03 – present

Honors

Campaign Streamers

Vietnam:

• Vietnam Defensive 1965–1966
• Vietnam Air 1966
• Vietnam Air Offensive 1966–1967
• Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II 1967–1968
• Vietnam Air/Ground 1968
• Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III 1968
• Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV 1968–1969
• Tet 69/Counteroffensive 1969
• Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969
• Vietnam Winter/Spring 1969–1970
• Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970
• Southwest Monsoon 1970
• Commando Hunt V 1970–1971
• Commando Hunt VI 1971

Decorations

• Presidential Unit Citation (Vietnam): 21 Jun 1968 – 30 Jun 1969
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Apr 66 – 1 Sep 71; 1 Jan – 30 Aug 68
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat “V” Device: 1 Jul 65 – 30 Jun 66; 1 Jul 66 – 30 Jun 67; 1 Jul 67 – 30 Jun 68; 1 Jul 68 – 30 Jun 69; 1 Jul 69 – 30 Jun 70; 1 Jul 70 – 30 Jun 71; 1 Jul 71 – 1 Aug 71
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Sep 71 – 15 Apr 72; 1 Jan 76 – 31 Dec 76; 1 Sep 90 – 31 Aug 91; 1 Oct 98 – 30 Sep 00; 1 Oct 00 – 1 Oct 01; 1 Oct 01 – 1 Oct 02; 2 Oct 02 – 1 Oct 03

Other awards

• Major General Harold M. McClelland Award (for AFSPC: 2007 and 2008)

Commanders

• Lt Col Robert W. Alexander, 1 Oct 1985 – 18 Jul 1988
• Col William A. Sample, 19 Jul 1988 – 1 Aug 1990
• Lt Col Roman Synychak, 2 Aug 1990 – 30 Jan 1992
• Col Gregory S. Hollister, 1 Dec 1997 – 24 Mar 1998
• Col Paul F. Capasso, 25 Mar 1998 – 13 Apr 2000
• Col David B. Warner, 14 Apr 2000 – 27 Jun 2002
• Col Earl D. Matthews, 28 Jun 2002 – 13 Jun 2004
• Col David C. Uhrich, 14 Jun 2004 – ? July 2006
• Col Robert Skinner, ? July 2006 – 13 July 2008
• Col Mitchel Butikofer, 14 July 2008 – 14 July 2010
• Col Michael Finn II, 14 July 2010 - present

Sources

• Lineage & Honors of the 50th Network Operations Group (AFSPC)

External links

• 50th Network Operations Group Fact Sheet