Centennial, Colorado —
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard will host a departure ceremony for Army Space Support Team-26, comprised of Soldiers from the 1158th Space Support Company, 117th Space Battalion, at the Northern Colorado Springs Readiness Center, July 26, 2019, beginning at 2 p.m.
The ARSST-26 will deploy to Southwest Asia, in support of Operation Spartan Shield, to provide space-based products that enhance warfighter intelligence and operational planning capabilities.
"The support that these highly skilled Soldiers will provide to the American and allied warfighters on the ground greatly reduces risk and is critical to mission success,” The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Loh said. “Thank you to the families, employers and communities who support these warriors as National Guard members and throughout their deployment. Also, thank you to the employers and communities for supporting the Soldiers’ families. All of your efforts allow these Soldiers to stay focused on their mission.”
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: terrestrial and space weather data; analysis of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information; early warning of missile threats; GPS monitoring and accuracy reporting; and, monitoring and reporting of counter-improvised explosive device programs. All contribute to battlefield awareness.
The 117th Space Battalion, the only Army National Guard space battalion, organizes, sustains and deploys ready ARNG space forces capable of planning, coordinating, integrating and executing space-based and technical operations for Army, joint, and combined forces.
Members of the 117th Space Battalion last summer supported the incident commander during the Spring Fire, Colorado’s third largest wildfire. They also supported responders during the West Fork Complex Fire, Colorado’s second largest wildfire, in 2013.
CONG senior leaders, dignitaries, family members, and friends will attend the ceremony.