SBSS Launch and Early Orbit team earns Team Excellence nomination

  • Published
  • By Jessica Hunstiger
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The Space Based Space Surveillance System Launch and Early Orbit team here was recently announced as Air Force Space Command's nominee for the 2011 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award.

The AFSPC Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award recognizes outstanding team performance and shares best practices within the Air Force, promoting a systematic approach for enhancing mission capability, improving operational performance and achieving sustained results while maximizing efficiency.

The team was comprised of 30 members from the 1st Space Operations Squadron, 7 SOPS, Space and Missile Systems Center and Space Situational Awareness Branch.

"The Total Force team effort across the spectrum of acquirers, developers and operators has been nothing short of outstanding and essential to the success of this critical space situational awareness mission," said Lt. Col. William Fellows, 7 SOPS director of operations. "The members of 7 SOPS are very proud to be part of this team and contribute to the longevity and continuity of the program both day-to-day and through surge capability."

In particular, this nomination recognized the culmination of the entire SBSS acquisition process as well as launch and early orbit check out. One of the first processes the team tackled was to deploy AFSPC's only space-based surveillance system, which allowed for 24/7 operations in order to guarantee the orbital safety of the Department of Defense's space assets.

The result of the successful SBSS deployment combined with the group effort ultimately earned the AFSPC nomination.

Lt. Col. Robb Owens, 1 SOPS director of operations, figures it wasn't just one thing that helped the team earn the AFSPC accolade, but instead a level of respect among members involved and a well-balanced amount of team work.

"I can't say enough about the professionalism, dedication and mutual respect among members from all of the organizations involved with this program," he said. "Embracing the team concept at every level of leadership, across multiple organizations, has facilitated the successful acquisition, launch and transition to operations of SBSS."