The 114 SPCS mission is two-fold: First, to deliver offensive counterspace and space situational awareness, as appropriate, to rapidly achieve flexible and versatile effects in support of global and theater campaigns and to provide mission-ready citizen-Airmen and equipment to Combatant Commanders in support of operations worldwide. Second, as an Air National Guard asset the 114 SPCS is also available for state contingencies and is subject to activation by the Governor of Florida in times of emergency. Its primary mission, once activated, is to man the Emergency Support Function #5 at the State Emergency Operations Center - Tallahassee, FL which involves collecting, analyzing, processing and disseminating information for potential or actual disasters/emergencies in order for Federal Government agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected hard-hit areas.
History
The 114th Communications Squadron was Federally recognized on 15 May 1989. Originally conceived to provide manning for pre-positioned NATO satellite communications terminals in the event of war against the Soviet Union, the unit mission was labeled NABS, or NATO Air Base Satellite. At the time it was equipped with only one TSC-85B terminal for training and 35 members. There were only two career fields offered to traditional guard members, satellite communications and electrical power production. Patrick AFB was selected as its home location because the 2nd Communications Group was also located at Patrick and could provide training and mentorship. The level of highly technical industries in the local area also factored to place the 114th in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The first commander of the 114th Communications Squadron, Lt. Col. Robert Chandler took the lead from its inception until January 1991, driving the recruiting and organizational efforts. This was when the worldwide legacy began, with support of operations in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The next commander was Col. David Barnhart. Col. Barnhart led the 114th from January 1991 to September 1994. During Col. Barnhart's tenure, the team's experience grew exponentially: not only were operational missions conducted in Spain, Germany, Italy, Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Colombia, but now humanitarian efforts drew members to hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica and south Florida. Additionally, various stateside exercises, including Coronet Stroke and Combat Challenge, tested the fiber of the already mature unit. The squadron redesignated as the 114th Combat Communications Squadron 1 October 1992. In January 1994, the 114th received its first Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Lt. Col. Michele Agee assumed command in September 1994. She led the unit through further expansion with missions in Haiti, Panama, Egypt, Croatia, Morocco and Bosnia along with numerous events in Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah. In 1995, the squadron began building up the 114th Range Flight to support 45th Space Wing launch operations. These members were co-located with the 45th Range Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. In January 1998, Maj. Daniel Bates took command, with personnel already deployed to Bosnia and later to Italy. In 1999, a partnership with the Air Force Research Lab was established to develop the Ballistic Missile Range Safety Technology system. The 114th CBCS personnel were commissioned to provide support to the program. In January 2001, 114th CBCS deployed to the Kodiak Launch Complex, Kodiak, Alaska, to demonstrate the BMRST system's ability to rapidly deploy, set up and support a rocket launch with the Quick Reaction Launch Vehicle rocket launching from this site. After 11 Sept. 2001, large elements of the squadron deployed to Qatar and MacDill Air Force Base in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, the 114th CBCS received its second Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The unit deployed to Kodiak again in May 2002 for a second QRLV launch. In 2005, The 114th CBCS was re-designated the 114th Range Operations Squadron, their mission was to provide survivable and reliable satellite voice and data communications for command control and logistics in support of United States Air Force, Air Combat Command, and NATO communications requirements. They supported launch range operation tracking of the Space Transportation System, Atlas, Delta, and Titan launches. The 114th received its third Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 2009. In 2011, the 114th supported the launch of the final Space Shuttle Mission. Due to US Air Force structure changes announced in March 2012, the 114 ROPS was scheduled for inactivation on 1 October 2012. However, this decision was reversed and instead the unit assumed a new mission as the 114th Space Operations Squadron in April 2014. The first commander of the newly renamed squadron was Lt Col Johnny Malpass.
