Centennial, Colorado –
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado Army National Guard will host a departure ceremony for Army Space Support Team - 27, 217th Space Company of the 117th Space Battalion, at the North Colorado Springs Readiness Center April 14 at 1 p.m.
ARSST-27 will deploy to the Middle East to provide space-based products and support to units serving in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"These Soldiers will support our warfighters," The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh said. "Thank you to the families, employers and communities for supporting these Warriors through this deployment."
The ARSST-27 will help ensure the decisive defeat of violent extremist organizations, by providing direct support to warfighters on the ground.
An ARSST team consists of six Soldiers capable of providing spaced-based products used in theater operations. Soldiers support the war fighters by monitoring and providing accurate, timely, and actionable terrestrial and space weather data. They also provide satellite imagery, surveillance, reconnaissance, early warning of missile threats, GPS monitoring and accuracy reporting, monitoring and reporting of counter-improvised explosive device programs – all of which contribute to situational awareness of the battlefield.
The 117th Space Battalion plans, coordinates, integrates and executes space and technical operations for Army, Joint, Combined Forces, and Homeland Security disaster relief missions by training, organizing, sustaining and deploying ready Army National Guard space forces.
The 117th Space Battalion, the only Army National Guard Space Battalion, falls under the U.S. Army 1st Space Brigade for training, readiness and oversight.
Colorado National Guard senior leaders, dignitaries, family members, and friends will attend the ceremony.