Team Blackjack conducts mission transfer operation
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --
A Total Force team consisting of 2nd and 19th Space Operations Squadron Airmen and contractors successfully conducted a mission operations transfer Jan. 19-23 to the GPS's alternate location.
Although the two squadrons have always worked side by side in accomplishing the GPS mission at the Master Control Station on Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, this is the first time the active duty and Reserve units conducted the transfer mission as an equal 50/50 mix of personnel. 2 SOPS was on crew for the day shift and 19 SOPS had the mid-shift crew. Additionally, Space and Missile Systems Center and 21st Space Operations Squadron provided support.
"It was a success; the transfer went really well," said Capt. Jessica Pratt, 2 SOPS mission commander. "We had great teamwork."
During the mission, Team Blackjack -- 2 and 19 SOPS Airmen -- transferred GPS operations from the Master Control Station to the alternate location.
"We have to do this to ensure we are proficient in transferring operations to the backup location. We also have to make sure our software and hardware are up to date," said Senior Airman Forrest Colegrove, 19 SOPS satellite systems operator.
Pratt added, "It's one of the things we do to ensure we always have a high standard for our mission. If there are any problems at Schriever, such as a disaster, we can quickly switch to the alternate location, ensuring a minimum impact to users."
The 38-member team conducted the everyday GPS operations in a concentrated amount of time in three days, said Colegrove.
"It is a difficult event, but we have become proficient with this mission since we have done three transfer operations recently," Pratt explained. "It felt smooth the whole time."
Colegrove attributed this to Team Blackjack's teamwork.
He said, "There's a lot of camaraderie, and it is a very tight knit cohesive team."
Although the two squadrons have always worked side by side in accomplishing the GPS mission at the Master Control Station on Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, this is the first time the active duty and Reserve units conducted the transfer mission as an equal 50/50 mix of personnel. 2 SOPS was on crew for the day shift and 19 SOPS had the mid-shift crew. Additionally, Space and Missile Systems Center and 21st Space Operations Squadron provided support.
"It was a success; the transfer went really well," said Capt. Jessica Pratt, 2 SOPS mission commander. "We had great teamwork."
During the mission, Team Blackjack -- 2 and 19 SOPS Airmen -- transferred GPS operations from the Master Control Station to the alternate location.
"We have to do this to ensure we are proficient in transferring operations to the backup location. We also have to make sure our software and hardware are up to date," said Senior Airman Forrest Colegrove, 19 SOPS satellite systems operator.
Pratt added, "It's one of the things we do to ensure we always have a high standard for our mission. If there are any problems at Schriever, such as a disaster, we can quickly switch to the alternate location, ensuring a minimum impact to users."
The 38-member team conducted the everyday GPS operations in a concentrated amount of time in three days, said Colegrove.
"It is a difficult event, but we have become proficient with this mission since we have done three transfer operations recently," Pratt explained. "It felt smooth the whole time."
Colegrove attributed this to Team Blackjack's teamwork.
He said, "There's a lot of camaraderie, and it is a very tight knit cohesive team."
