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SMC Redesignates Wings and Groups

By Peggy Hodge, SMC Public Affairs / Published November 16, 2010

Lt. Gen. Tom Sheridan, SMC commander, walks past new unit patches at the transition ceremony changing SMC’s wings and groups to directorates and divisions, Nov. 10. The move was made as part of the Air Force’s continued efforts to improve acquisition, better structure programs for success, and the Air Force Chief of Staff’s recently established threshold manning requirements for all Air Force units. (Photo by Lou Hernandez)
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Lt. Gen. Tom Sheridan, SMC commander, walks past new unit patches at the transition ceremony changing SMC’s wings and groups to directorates and divisions, Nov. 10. The move was made as part of the Air Force’s continued efforts to improve acquisition, better structure programs for success and the Air Force Chief of Staff’s recently established threshold manning requirements for all Air Force units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lou Hernandez)

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LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Lt. Gen. John T. Sheridan, Space and Missile Systems Center commander, officiated at a transition ceremony changing SMC's wings to directorates, Nov. 10, in the Schriever Space Complex Courtyard.

This change was made as part of the Air Force's continued efforts to improve acquisition, better structure programs for success, and the Air Force Chief of Staff's recently established threshold manning requirements for all Air Force units. As part of this overall plan, SMC realigned its structure from wings/groups/squadrons to directorates/divisions/branches. This ceremony implemented these planned realignments and the wing to directorate changes.

"The key here is our work hasn't changed," said General Sheridan. "Our mission to deliver unrivaled space and missile systems to the joint warfighter and our nation continues."

"The work is demanding--it is never-ending when you're trying to build, test, launch and deliver capabilities like we're trying to do. There's always one more problem; there's always one more contract; there's always several more things to check off so that you've got all the testing done. That's what this business is like, and that's why we're here--meeting these challenges every day. We are here to build the best military satellites and ground capabilities and best rockets in the world. That's our job," the general said. "I can't thank you enough for what you do every day."

In addition to this ceremony, the 61st Air Base Wing became the 61st Air Base Group at a ceremony officiated by SMC's Executive Director Mr. Douglas Loverro, July 31. The group's mission is to continue to provide effective and efficient base operating support to improve wartime readiness and the quality of life for approximately 4,500 base personnel.

Additionally, the Space Development and Test Wing located at Kirtland AFB, N.M., was also redesignated the Space Development Test Directorate, Nov. 10.

The new directorate and division titles are the Global Positioning Systems Directorate, Launch and Range Systems Directorate, Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate, Space Superiority Systems Directorate, Infrared Space Systems Directorate, Space Development and Test Directorate, Space Logistics Directorate, Defense Weather Systems Directorate, Missile Defense Systems Division and the Satellite Control and Network Systems Division.

Lt. Stephanie Landing, formerly of the 61st Force Support Squadron, and Ms. Christina Johnson, Directorate of Strategic Plans and Programs, contributed to this article.