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After the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986, the space program was grounded for 34 months until the launch of Space Transportation System-26 in September 1988. After 11 Sep 2001, the group examined vulnerabilities of US space facilities at home and abroad. The Air Force's Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities Program transferred national capabilities to operational commands. The group's Air Force Space Battlelab developed and field tested capabilities to increase productivity of operational commands. Its Aerospace Fusion Center supported space missile launches.[2] The group was inactivated in September 1993.
In April 2000, the group, redesignated the 595th Test and Evaluation Group was reactivated at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. It supported Operation Iraqi Freedom through the application of space applications programs during 2003 and 2004. After redesignation as the 595th Space Group in 2002, it was inactivated in 2013[2]
Nuclear command and control
The group was redesignated the '595th Command and Control Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska in October 2016 with four squadrons assigned to provide aircrew, operators and maintenance personnel for nuclear command, control and communications platforms enabling the National Command Authority survivable, real-time strategic assessment and global strike capabilities. Its 1st Airborne Command Control Squadron operated the Boeing E-4 National Airborne Command Post, maintained by the 595th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Its 625th Strategic Operations Squadron maintained targeting for the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile fleet and provided personnel to luanch them while airborne in a NavyBoeing E-6B Mercury. The 595th Strategic Communications Squadron provided missile warning and command, control and communications capabilities. They maintained and operated the Strategic Automated Command Control System, providing rapid retargeting of ICBMs.[4]
The group had a shared commander with the National Airborne Operations Center.[citation needed] It was inactivated on 28 February 2025 and its resources transferred to the newly activated 95th Wing[5]
Lineage
Designated as the 6595th Missile Test Group and activated on 1 May 1970
Redesignated 6595th Test and Evaluation Group on 1 January 1988
Inactivated on 14 September 1993
Redesignated 595th Test and Evaluation Group on 1 April 2000
Activated on 7 April 2000
Redesignated 595th Space Group on 1 August 2002
Inactivated on 1 April 2013
Redesignated 595th Command and Control Group on 26 August 2016[6]
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