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Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off on its STS-134 mission May 16, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. This will be Endeavour's 25th and final voyage into space. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Jared Scott)
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CONR officials provide support during shuttle launch
Posted 5/17/2011
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5/17/2011 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) -- Officials from the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Air Forces Northern provided airspace control and shuttle support during the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour May 16 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
CONR officials ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration's temporary flight restriction area established around Kennedy Space Center.
Using F-15E Strike Eagles, CONR pilots performed their Operation Noble Eagle mission.
CONR officials also supported launch operations by deploying members of the Joint Based Expeditionary Connectivity Center team to Cape Canaveral to provide a comprehensive air picture to all launch team partners.
"The JBECC provided critical tactical data link support, creating an improved air picture for fighter aircraft that patrolled the airspace around the shuttle's launch site," said Maj. Renae Wright, the director of JBECC Operations. "We are very proud of our mission and the unique capabilities JBECC provides in support of homeland defense events such as the space shuttle launch."
The JBECC, assigned to the 601st Air & Space Operations Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is a highly mobile, rapidly deployable communications system that networks multiple real-time radar sensors and correlates their data into an improved air picture for the warfighter.
Officials said this capability enables NORAD to better detect, track, identify and prosecute any airborne aircraft, cruise missile, unmanned aerial vehicle or remotely piloted vehicle.
AFNORTH officials provided the headquarters manning for U.S. Northern Command's Joint Task Force-Space Transportation System, responsible for the search and rescue of the astronauts and recovery of the orbiter if the need arises.
AFNORTH also serves as the operational-level focal point for providing mission awareness and crisis response to space shuttle mission contingencies.
"As members of CONR, we are proud to support and protect the (sky above) the shuttle while AFNORTH personnel provide manning for potential search and rescue operations," said Col. Scott Barberides, the JTF-STS commander.
The task force provided command and control for Department of Defense forces during crisis response operations from the Morrell Operations Center at Cape Canaveral.
"Our involvement with NASA's shuttle program truly is a total team effort," Colonel Barberides said. "There is a lot of coordination that has to occur before a shuttle can launch. Much of that coordination is among CONR, the joint task force, our air assets located at Patrick (AFB, Fla.), and range operations here at the Cape."
Members of the 114th Range Operations Squadron from Patrick AFB provide range safety and tracking support for shuttle launches occurring on the Eastern Range.
"Prior to liftoff, the 114th coordinates with CONR and the Eastern Air Defense Sector to ensure there is transparency between the Operation Noble Eagle air patrols and range operations," said Lt. Col. Julia Black, a launch safety officer. "In the case of a shuttle search and rescue scenario, AFNORTH members on JTF-STS would work with 114th range operators to maneuver forces as quickly and safely as possible to locate the astronauts."
The mission of the 114th ROS is to provide support to the 45th Space Wing during Eastern Range launches and to operate and maintain the Ballistic Missile Range Safety Technology program.
"I am extremely proud of the job the men and women of this command and all the other supporting entities have done, and continue to do, in support of this mission," said Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, the AFNORTH commander. |
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