25th Space Range Squadron

25th Space Range Squadron
Squadron Emblem
Active1917–1919; 1921–1946; 1952–1964; 1988–1995; 2004–present
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
RoleElectromagnetic Range Operations
SizeSquadron
Part ofSpace Delta 11
Garrison/HQSchriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Nickname(s)Executioners[1]
Motto(s)"Give 'em the axe!"
EquipmentSpace Test and Training Range
Engagements

  • World War I

  • World War II – Antisubmarine

  • World War II – Asia-Pacific Theater[2]
Decorations

  • Distinguished Unit Citation (3x)

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (5x)[2]
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Mark Crimm
Insignia
Former 25th Space Range Squadron emblem
25th Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 15 February 1924)[3]
25th Aero Squadron emblem (approved by AEF 19 November 1918)[4][note 1]

The 25th Space Range Squadron is a squadron of the United States Space Force. It is assigned to the Space Delta 11 at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, US. The 25th operates the Space Test and Training Range along with the 379th Space Range Squadron of the United States Air Force Reserve.

The 25th is the second oldest unit in the United States Space Force, its earliest predecessor in the days of the USAAS being organized as the 20th Aero Squadron on 13 June 1917 at Camp Kelly, Texas, and due to a clerical error, redesignated as the 25th Aero Squadron by 22 June 1917.[5] The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I as a pursuit squadron within the week before the Armistice. The unit was demobilized after the war in 1919.[5]

The squadron's second predecessor was organized as the 25th Squadron (Bombardment) in 1921 as part of the permanent United States Army Air Service. The squadron served in the Panama Canal Zone during the Inter-War period, then as part of the Twentieth Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II flying Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. During the Cold War, it was part of Strategic Air Command, equipped with Boeing B-47 Stratojet medium bombers[3] until its inactivation in 1964.

On March 31, 2020, it was announced that the 25th Space Range Squadron would be moved to the newly formed United States Space Force.[6] This transfer made the 25th the oldest unit in the USSF.

  1. ^ Rodriguez, 2Lt Scarlett (28 June 2017). "The "Bloody 25th's" centennial celebration". 50th Space Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 10 April 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Bailey, Carl E. (18 January 2018). "Factsheet 25 Space Range Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 129–130
  4. ^ "World War I Aero Squadrons". Cross and Cockade Journal. 5 (2). Society of World War I Aero Historians: 145. 1964.
  5. ^ a b Series "E", Volume 6, History of the 25th–27th Aero Squadrons. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  6. ^ "Space Force identifies USAF missions for transfer to newest service". 31 March 2020.


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