6th SOPS assumes DMSP satellite control authority

by 1st Lt. Jeremy Cotton
6th Space Operations Squadron

2/6/2007 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 6th Space Operations Squadron here assumed satellite control authority of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Jan. 29 as National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration officials deployed to Schriever from their facilities in Suitland, Md.

NOAA's deployment to Schriever is the result of a move from an older, outdated facility to a new $61-million NOAA Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland.

The move required engineers, schedulers and operators from Maryland to deploy to Schriever to continue command and control functions while 6th SOPS augmented the NOAA crews. NOAA is the primary command-and-control authority for DMSP.

In its first week, the move in Suitland has gone well and is ahead of schedule. NOAA officials powered on the ground system equipment and will begin testing soon. If all goes well, satellite operations will be transferred back to Suitland, Md. by the end of next week.

"The deployment shows how two completely separate departments of the U.S. government -- the Department of Commerce and Department of Defense -- can integrate their functions and become one in an effort to provide continued, critical meteorological information to warfighters and civilians worldwide," said Lt. Col. Byron Hays, 6th SOPS commander.

Both 6th SOPS and NOAA have prepared for this move for nearly two years. Problems with electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems caused delays in the move to the new building. Once engineers resolved those problems, planners at NOAA and 6th SOPS set preparations for the move in motion.

Maj. Cal Peters, 6th SOPS chief of operations, worked with Schriever and NOAA officials to prepare the squadron for NOAA's deployment.

"Crosstalk in space ops is essential in many respects, but getting to sit side-by-side with our Department of Commerce counterparts has proven to be invaluable," Major Peters said. "We hope to give as much as we glean from them on how to streamline procedures, have big-picture situational awareness as operators, and most of all, ensure we bring down the data."

The NSOF building will host the Polar-orbiting and Geostationary operational environmental satellites and DMSP operations until the follow-on programs are launched and declared operational. The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, a combination of DMSP and the Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites, is expected to launch in 2012.

Milair Nationwide Frequencies Part 11

This is part 11 of our exclusive nationwide milair assignment list. MT Subscribers can get my complete UHF nationwide list and other goodies online in the MT Readers Only website. In order to access this website you have to use a special User ID and password only available to Monitoring Times readers and subscribers. Go to the Monitoring Times website for more details.

Here is a list of previous parts and the dates they appeared on this blog:
Part 1 Monday May 29, 2006
Part 2 Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Part 3 Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Part 4 Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Part 5 Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Part 6 Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Part 7 Thursday, August 24, 2006
Part 8 Thursday, September 14, 2006
Part 9 Thursday, November 9, 2006
Part 10 Tuesday, December 12, 2006

290.200 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.225 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.250 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.275 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.300 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.325 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.350 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.375 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.400 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.425 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.450 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.475 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.500 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.525 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.550 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
290.900 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.100 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.200 USN Command and Control
291.600 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.625 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.650 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.675 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.700 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.725 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.750 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
291.775 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
292.125 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
292.150 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
292.175 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
292.200 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
292.375 AMC Special Operations Air-to-Ground
292.600 Aerial Refueling Established Tracks
292.700 NORAD Tactical
292.800 USN Aircraft Carrier CCA Departure (West Coast)
292.850 Milsat Uplink-UFO November Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 2
292.950 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha/UFO October Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 2
293.000 Coronet aerial refueling - CONUS
293.050 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Bravo/UFO Papa Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 2
293.150 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Charlie/UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 2
293.225 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
293.550 USAF Command and Control/Have Quick
293.600 NORAD Tactical - CAP/AWACS/Refueling
293.700 USAF Ops/Maintenance/Command Post
293.950 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 1
293.975 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 2/UFO November Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 11
294.000 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 3
294.025 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 4/UFO Papa Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 11
294.050 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 5
294.075 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 6/UFO November Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 12
294.100 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 7
294.125 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 8/UFO Papa Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 12
294.150 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 9
294.175 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 10/UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 11
294.200 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 11
294.225 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 12/UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 11
294.250 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 13
294.275 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 14/UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 12
294.300 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 15
294.325 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 16/UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 12
294.350 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 17
294.375 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 18
294.400 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 19
294.425 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 20
294.450 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha Wideband (ch 23) Channel 21
294.550 Milsat Uplink-UFO November Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 3
294.650 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Alpha/UFO Oscar Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 3
294.700 Air Traffic Control -- Various functions
294.750 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Bravo/UFO Papa Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 3
294.800 Milsat Uplink-Skynet 4D (25 kHz)/USAF Tactical Operations
294.850 Milsat Uplink-FLTSAT Charlie/UFO Quebec Navy Fleet Relay (25 kHz) channel 3

Stennis CSG Enters Guam OpArea

The USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) entered the Guam Operating Area (GOA) Feb. 4, and will conduct several days of exercises while in the region.

Orbiting Junk, Once a Nuisance, Is Now a Threat-Update

For decades, space experts have worried that a speeding bit of orbital debris might one day smash a large spacecraft into hundreds of pieces and start a chain reaction, a slow cascade of collisions that would expand for centuries, spreading chaos through the heavens.

In the last decade or so, as scientists came to agree that the number of objects in orbit had surpassed a critical mass — or, in their terms, the critical spatial density, the point at which a chain reaction becomes inevitable — they grew more anxious.

Now, experts say, China’s test on Jan. 11 of an antisatellite rocket that shattered an old satellite into hundreds of large fragments means the chain reaction will most likely start sooner. If their predictions are right, the cascade could put billions of dollars’ worth of advanced satellites at risk and eventually threaten to limit humanity’s reach for the stars.

You can read the whole story by William J. Broad online at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/06/science/space/06orbi.html?_r=2&ref=science&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

More debris has been cataloged by U.S. Space Command associated with the Chinese ASAT test conducted last month. The debris is from the target of the test - the Fengyun 1C polar orbiting weather satellite.

Here is a catalog of the known objects as of 6 Feb 2007 at 1200 UTC:

International Designator / SSC#

1999-025E / 29716 to 1999-025AM / 29747 [Original pieces cataloged]

1999-025AN / 29748 to 1999-025LZ /29999 [2nd set of debris cataloged, released 1/28/07]1999-025MA / 30001 to 1999-025WS / 30233 [2nd set of debris cataloged, released 1/28/07]

1999-025WT / 30234 to 1999-025ZZ / 30312 [3rd set of debris cataloged, released 2/2/07]1999-025AAA / 30313 to 1999-025AAK / 30322 [4th set of debris cataloged, released 2/5/07]

1999-025AAL / 30325 to 1999-025ACB / 30364 [4th set of debris cataloged, released 2/5/07]

Information for the latest debris listed above is from Dr. TS Kelso's celestrak website. As of the time listed above, nothing past 1999-025ZZ was listed on the 7 day report on the Space track website.

The 1999-025 ASAT test still ranks as the second highest on orbit debris event in space history as the table below shows.

Rank / SSN / Int Designator / Pieces

4 / 27721 / 1965-082UT / 474

3 / 27596 / 1986-019VN / 493

2 / 30325 / 1999-025ACB / 642

1 / 29036 / 1994-029AET / 714

In a related note regarding the UPI story below that the ISS had been maneuvered to avoid the 1999-025 debris field, Greg Williams reported on the SEESAT-L newsgroup over the weekend that NASA had not moved the orbit of the ISS. Greg wrote:

"According to a source on a NASA forum, ISS was not moved and no orbital change was made. The following is from the forum. Here's the details -- pass around as you like:

"UPI's Moscow bureau sent out a news story Friday PM that the space station had to change orbit to avoid collision with a fragment of a Chinese rocket that was destroyed last month in the anti-satellite test.

"The entire story is here:
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20070202-013112-8664r

"The story is NOT true, and should be disregarded.

"There has been no maneuver in space, and none are currently planned -- I verified with NASA spokesman John Ira Petty in Houston.

"The UPI story claims it is based on a 'Novosti' news agency story. I found the story, in English, and it DOES say that "We are diverting the orbit of the ISS to prevent a possible collision
with large fragments of space debris, a decision the Russian Mission Control took together with the Johnson Space Center in Houston," a Russian Mission Control spokesman told Novosti Friday. http://en.rian.ru/world/20070202/60105727.html

"Sort of.

"Novosti botched the translation, and UPI didn't realize it -- and didn't try to verify with NASA.

"Here's the original Russian story: http://rian.ru/technology/cosmos/20070202/60093948.html

"Not to show off or anything .... I get by in Russian, and here's the much more accurate translation of the verb tenses: "In order to protect ISS from the possibility of collision with big
pieces of space junk, we conduct a maneuver of avoidance to lead the station to the side.

"The Russian MCC takes the decision of carrying out this maneuver together with the Johnson space center in Houston."

"The Russian expert at Moscow Mission Control is speaking HYPOTHETICALLY. This is, he explains, what we DO in order to keep the station safe from space junk.

"It's NOT what we have just DONE, today. It has nothing to do with actual events today. The verb tenses indicate that.

"It's kind of scary how an alarming story can blast off, on such a volatile and frightening subject, based on misunderstanding.

"So it's only fair that the story has been featured on Drudge Report all day Saturday!!"

So now you know the rest of the story. Thanks Greg and 73 de N5FPW.

ISS Orbit Moved to Avoid Fengyun 1C Debris

And as mentioned previously on these pages, the ISS could be threatened by debris from the Chinese ASAT test on the Fengyun 1C satellite. That concern by U.S. and Russian officials have now resulted in action according to a UPI story. You can read the article at:
http://upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20070202-013112-8664r

ABC News Story on Chinese ASAT Test

Link to ABC News story: China's Space-Weapon Test Could Endanger Astronauts and Satellites - Engineers Say Ring of Debris Is Forming in Orbit, and a Marble-Sized Piece Could be Dangerous. Story by Ned Potter. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/print?id=2841745

Quote from my old friend and former Satellite Times magazine colleague, Dr. TS Kelso: "There's a lot of stuff up there in low-Earth orbit," said T.S. Kelso, a veteran space-surveillance analyst who is now at the Center for Space Standards and Innovation in Colorado Springs, Colo. "While we can't tell them that 'five months from now, you're at risk for being hit,' it's not unreasonable to expect that it's going to affect a lot of stuff in orbit."

More Fengyun 1C Debris Cataloged - 594 Pieces Now

View of LEO Satellites (green) and Debris Ring (red) from Chinese ASAT Test. (Graphic courtesy of Dr. T.S. Kelso and the Celestrak website, http://www.celestrak.com/events/asat.asp)

And the hits, uh I mean the debris, just keeps on coming. More debris has been cataloged by U.S. Space Command associated with the Chinese ASAT test conducted last month. The debris is from the target of the test - the Fengyun 1C polar orbiting weather satellite.

Here is a catalog of the known objects as of 2 Feb 2007 at 1200 UTC:

International Designator / SSC#
1999-025E / 29716 to 1999-025AM / 29747 [Original pieces cataloged]
1999-025AN / 29748 to 1999-025LZ /29999 [2nd set of debris cataloged, released 1/28/2007]
1999-025MA / 30001 to 1999-025WS / 30233 [2nd set of debris cataloged, released 1/28/2007]
1999-025WT / 30234 to 1999-025ZZ / 30312 [3rd set of debris cataloged, released 2/2/2007]

The 1999-025 ASAT test still ranks as the second highest on orbit debris event in space history as the table below shows.

Rank / SSN / Int Designator / Pieces
4 / 27721 / 1965-082UT / 474
3 / 27596 / 1986-019VN / 493
2 / 30312 / 1999-025ZZ / 594
1 / 29036 / 1994-029AET / 714

Stennis CSG Joins the 7th Fleet

The USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Carrier Strike Group entered the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility on January 31, 2007.

Sailors and Marines Training to be Blue Angels

The March 2007 MT is in final production and it will include my new 8th annual air show guide, articles on attending/monitoring the Andrews AFB air show, and an exclusive look at the 193rd SOW. This issue always sells out so you might want to get your subscription started right now so you don't miss this or any other issue of Monitoring Times - the world's No. 1 radio hobby monitoring magazine.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) Orlando Ramos, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific

EL CENTRO, Calif. (NNS) -- Members from the Blue Angels are in El Centro, Calif. from January to March practicing, and training pilots and new team members in preparation for their upcoming show season.

The Blue Angels’ mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the Naval service to the United States. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s a great opportunity,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AW) Rebecca Kent. “It’s difficult, but not impossible, and if somebody wants it, I recommend they just go for it.”

New team members have to train extensively to become a part of the Blue Angels demonstration team. The training involves completing a wide array of personal qualification standards (PQS), certifications and cross training. Each member of the Blue Angels team, no matter their rate, has to learn and be qualified to perform different functions on the aircraft they work around.

“We operate with almost half the amount of personnel that a normal air squadron operates with,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (AW) Krishna Budhoo. “So, we all have to know more than just our job. It allows us to be more efficient.”

Upon arrival, new team members have approximately 100 days to become qualified before they can begin working with the team and earn their Blue Angels crest, worn on the front of their uniform.

“Getting your crest is an amazing feeling,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AW) Katie Kilbourn. “It felt even better than graduating boot camp. Being a part of the Blue Angels is an honor and a privilege. It’s something that only a handful of Sailors get to do and I’m extremely proud to be apart of it.”

PRC-148 JEM: First Tactically Deployed JTRS Radio

From Defense Industry Daily:

The AN/PRC-148 MBITR is the hand-held radio for USSOCOM, the most widely fielded multi-band portable radio in the US armed services, and is also in use by many NATO Special Forces. Special Operations Technology has described the 31-ounce PRC-148 multiband inter/intra team radio (MBITR) as "one of the many communications marvels that made the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq possible" thanks to its small size, software-based structure, and virtually complete interoperability with other military radios and commercial systems. With lithium ion batteries, the user can reportedly expect about 8-10 hours of life. In addition, they note, "More than one Pentagon official has singled out the MBITR for praise during recent operations in Afghanistan."

Now Thales Communication has received a $43 million order for AN/PRC-148 JTRS Enhanced MBITR, or JEM radios. They represent the first radios to be fielded for tactical use under the US military's transformational JTRS program. DID explains how the PRC-148 became so popular, and offers a glimpse into the development model that made them first out of the gate with a tactically-deployed, (partly) JTRS-compliant product.

"This item is not available for online purchase." This is, of course, due to the US Type 1 encryption capabilities included in all versions of the PRC-148. A version called the AN/PRC-6809 MBITR Clear is available without encryption, for use by militaries that would find ITAR export approval in this sensitive area difficult. It's also an option for public safety workers like police, firefighters, et. al., who either do not require encryption or are satisfied with the PRC-6809's Level III DES option.

You can read more about this radio and its capabilities at

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2007/01/thales-prc148-jem-the-first-tactically-deployed-jtrs-radio/index.php#more

NORAD fighters to patrol Super Bowl XLI

1/29/2007 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNEWS) -- The Continental U.S. NORAD Region is stepping up its air patrols in the Miami-Dade area to increase security during Super Bowl XLI activities.

Spectators will see the Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly over Dolphin Stadium during pregame events, and other Air Force fighter jets in the local area during the game.

The patrols are a smart, efficient way to protect American lives and resources in the region, said Maj. Gen. Henry C. Morrow, the commander of both 1st Air Force and Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.

"NORAD protects a variety of national assets across the nation on any given day," General Morrow said. "In this instance we are increasing our sorties in the Miami-Dade area as part of our continuing resolve to protect our homeland and citizens during these major events."
In preparation for Super Bowl XLI, NORAD fighters will make low approaches at several local airports Feb. 2, including Boca Raton, Pompano Beach Airpark, Fort Lauderdale Executive, Opa Locka, and Kendall-Tamiami Executive.

Air patrols are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety while demonstrating NORAD's rapid response capability. NORAD has conducted air patrols throughout the U.S. and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle -- the command's response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The flights will have minimal impact on aircraft in the area and are not in response to any specific threat.

"We want citizens to know that we remain dedicated to protecting their freedoms as we project our determination to preserve peace and our way of life," General Morrow said.
(Courtesy of 1st Air Force Public Affairs)

Frequencies to Monitor (courtesy of the Blog editor): 228.800 / 228.900 / 234.600 / 235.900 / 252.000* / 265.400* / 277.600* / 282.600 / 293.600* / 328.000* / 338.750 / 364.200 AICC
* denotes a probable primary frequency based on previously monitored intercepts. Request anyone in the area monitoring CAP activity please send reports to the email address in the header.

New UK RAF Volmet Frequency

This morning I tuned in a new UK Royal Air Force Volmet (MASO Shanwick) transmission frequency - 4807 kHz USB. The transmission was quite audible at 1230 UTC on DXTuner receivers in Sweden and the UK. The announcer is a computerized YL voice. She gave an ID several times, but after several tries my US ears can't seem to pluck it out. The RAF also transmits Volmet information on 5450 and 11253 kHz USB.

Fengyun 1C - Now we have over 500 pieces cataloged

The worst fear of military and civilian space analyst has been realized. Yesterday and early this morning the U.S. Space Command released on their Space Track website well over 500 pieces of space debris associated with the Fengyun 1C satellite.

A check this morning shortly before 0900 EST indicated 516 pieces of debris associated with that satellite have been catalogued by NORAD after the Chinese ASAT test on January 11, 2007. Here is the range of known objects at this point:

International Designator / SSC#
1999-025E / 29716 to 1999-025AM / 29747 [Original pieces cataloged]
1999-025AN / 29748 to 1999-025LZ /29999
1999-025MA / 30001 to 1999-025WS / 30233

According to rankings released by Ted Molczan on Seesat group, this would make this Chinese ASAT test the second greatest on orbit destruction of a space object in history. The top four according to his list are:

Rank / SSN / Int Designator / Pieces
4 / 27721 / 1965-082UT / 474
3 / 27596 / 1986-019VN / 493
2 / 30233 / 1999-025WS / 516
1 / 29036 / 1994-029AET / 714

According to one analyst on SEESAT, Björn Gimle, "regarding the collision hazard, the ISS has a westward precession and Fengyun eastward; Fengyun's perigee precesses ; and the debris' high apogees decays into lower altitudes. These work together to bring more objects into the ISS' orbit. The worst week in 99 days, with as much as 99 km altitude tolerance, and 300 km range, seems to be March 8-14 with 51 "close" encounters (within 10 km altitude 0228-0306 is worse with five encounters? And this was done before I knew of the "300" new fragments. With these, I only get eight more in range, and the worst week moves back to March 9-15."

As you can see that analysis was before this next round of debris postings this morning. And all this with a March 15 Space Shuttle launch to the ISS. NASA and ISS Space Managers have to be on the edges of their chairs right now.

More as we get more details in.

Navy Weeks 2007 - Calendar Across America

Don't look now, but the Navy may be coming to your town real soon. I have posted below the 2007 schedule for the Navy Calendar Across America.

During a typical Navy Week, the Navy establishes a concentrated presence in a U.S. city, leveraging a major community event such as an air show, state fair, or large-scale festival. On average, a Navy Week garners more than a quarter million live impressions and more than 4.4 million impressions via regional media outlets.

Multiple Navy outreach assets are scheduled for the Navy Week, to include the Blue Angels, Leap Frogs, ship visits where possible, Navy Bands, namesake ship crews, flag officer speakers, SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) and EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal) displays, DoD’s America Supports You grassroots organizations and premiere recruiting assets such as the F/A-18 flight simulator, Navy NASCAR show car, and new Accelerate Your Life Experience.

These events could offer the radio hobbyist an interesting radio monitoring event. And be sure to let us know what you monitored if you attend any of the events below.

The 2007 Calendar for America has been established as follows:

January

20-27 Tampa Fl / Gasparilla Pirate Festival

February

14-20 Galveston TX / Galveston Mardi Gras

March

12-18 Atlanta GA / Golden Corral 500

15-28 Phoenix/Tucson AZ / MLB spring training

April

16-22 Louisville KY / Thunder Over L’ville

30 Omaha NE / Offutt AFB Air Show

30 Denver CO / Cinco de Mayo Festival

May

01-06 Denver CO / Cinco de Mayo Festival

01-06 Omaha NE / Offutt AFB Air Show

13-19 Philadelphia PA / Stotesbury Regatta

16-26 Charlotte NC / NASCAR Speed Street

21-27 Little Rock AR / Riverfest

30-31 Chicagoland/Rockford IL / Air Show

June

01-10 Chicagoland/Rockford IL / Air Show

04-10 Oklahoma City OK / Star Spangled Air Show

09-17 Chattanooga TN / Riverbend Festival

20-30 New England / New England Navy Week

27-30 Detroit MI / Gold Cup Hydroplane Races

July

01-04 New England / New England Navy Week

01-07 Pittsburgh PA / Three Rivers Regatta

01-15 Detroit MI / Gold Cup Hydroplane Races

August

20-26 Indianapolis IN / Indianapolis Air Show

27-31 Cincinnati OH / Riverfest

29-31 St. Louis MO / St. Louis Air Show

September

01-03 Cincinnati OH / Riverfest

01-07 St. Louis MO / St. Louis Air Show

06-16 Salt Lake City UT / Utah State Fair

17-23 Memphis TN / Mid-South Air Show

October

01-07 Dallas TX / Texas State Fair

07-14 Twin Cities MN / Twin Cities Marathon

14-21 Raleigh NC / North Carolina State Fair

November

04-10 San Antonio TX / Celebrate U.S. Military Week

USAF ACC Aerial Events Schedule Jan/Feb 2007

Here is the latest schedule for the ACC Aerial Demo Teams for January/February 2007. We are still working to get the complete schedule for 2007 and will post that here when we get it from the ACC Demo office.

January
31 / Davis Monthan AFB, AZ / SOUTHCOM Conference / A-10 West, F-16 West

February
03 / Shaw AFB, SC / 77 FS Reunion / F-16 East
11 / Laredo, TX / Air Show / F-15 West
17-18 / Lima, Peru / Air Show / F-16 West (pending airlift)
18 / Daytona Beach, FL / NASCAR Daytona 500 / 4 x F-15 Flyover [2]
22 / Shaw AFB, SC / Chaplains Day / F-16 East
24-25 / San Salvador, El Salvador / Air Show / A-10 West

Thunderbirds to kick off Super Bowl XLI

Blog Editor Note: If you need T-Bird frequencies for the Super Bowl flyover we have our annual air show column from Monitoring Times online in Adobe PDF format for download. You can get our latest online edition (2006) at http://monitoringtimes.com/html/mtairshow06.pdf.

And the cost is free!

The March 2007 MT is in final production and it will include my new 8th annual air show guide, articles on attending/monitoring the Andrews AFB air show, and an exclusive look at the 193rd SOW. This issue always sells out so you might want to get your subscription started now so you don't miss this or any other issue of Monitoring Times - the world's No. 1 radio hobby monitoring magazine.

1/26/2007 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNEWS) -- The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, is scheduled to perform a flyby of Dolphin Stadium during Super Bowl XLI Feb. 4 over Miami.

The team's red, white and blue F-16 Fighting Falcons will roar over in their signature six-ship Delta formation at the conclusion of the national anthem flying at approximately 500 feet and 450 mph.

"We are honored to participate in the Super Bowl, especially this year, as the United States Air Force commemorates our 60th Anniversary," said Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, the Thunderbirds commander and leader.

The Super Bowl is the nation's highest-rated TV program annually. According to the NFL, more than 141 million viewers in the U.S. tuned into last year's game. Super Bowl XLI will be broadcast to a potential worldwide audience of 1 billion in more than 230 countries and territories.

Flying over the Super Bowl is just one of many events the Thunderbirds will participate in during 2007 to commemorate the Air Force's six decades of air and space power."
The Thunderbirds are an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and approximately 120 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 25 career specialties.

"Our job is to represent the thousands of Airmen who serve their country on a daily basis, including more than 35,000 of those fighting on the front lines in the war on terrorism," Colonel Robbins said.

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group to Surge Deploy

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group (CSG), with more than 5,000 sailors, will surge deploy Jan. 27, while USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) undergoes scheduled maintenance in Yokosuka, Japan.

The Ronald Reagan CSG is deploying under the Navy's Fleet Response Plan (FRP) and will operate in the western Pacific in support of U.S. commitments in the region. FRP provides the U.S. with the ability to respond to any global commitment with flexible and sustainable forces and the ability to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice.

The Ronald Reagan CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. Charles W. Martoglio, is comprised of Commander, Carrier Strike Group 7 (CCG 7), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59), and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Detachment 15.

"Our nation relies on flexible, credible forces forward deployed, ready for immediate employment to address the challenges we face today. Being able to project forces both rotationally and through surge readiness makes us more effective and responsive," Martoglio said.

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) the Redcocks of VFA-22, the Fist of the Fleet of VFA-25, the Stingers of VFA-113, the Eagles of VFA-115, the Black Eagles of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the Cougars of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, Providers of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30 and the Black Knights of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.

The Ronald Reagan CSG returned from its maiden six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and western Pacific Ocean in July. During its maiden deployment, the Ronald Reagan CSG supported Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, conducted maritime security operations, and participated in joint and coalition exercises and operations with many countries and U.S. military services.

"We've maintained a high operational tempo since we returned from deployment, and our ability to surge now is a testament to the hard work of this crew in keeping the ship battle ready," said Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer.

Ronald Reagan was commissioned in July 2003, making it the ninth Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship is named for the 40th U.S. president; its motto, "Peace Through Strength," was a recurrent theme during the Reagan presidency.

Canforces CF-18 Hornet Demo 2007 Team Sked

The Canadian CF-18 Hornet flight demonstration team has released their 2007 show schedule. They will attend one air show in the U.S. and one in the United kingdom this year. The rest will be scattered over 6 Canadian Provinces.

The CF-18 Hornet National Demonstration Team is part of 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron, based at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta. 410 Cougar Squadron began at Ayr, Scotland, on June 30, 1941 as a night-fighter unit involved in the defence of Great Britain. Flying single-engined Defiants, the Squadron was operationally ready in August and moved to Drem, near the Firth of Forth.

June
2-3 Southport, Manitoba
9-10 CFB Bagotville, Quebec
16-17 Ottawa, Ontario
20 Owen Sound, Ontario
23-24 St. Thomas, Ontario
30 Evansville, Indiana

July
1 Evansville, Indiana
7 CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
13-15 RAF Fairford, United Kingdom
28-29 Peace River, Alberta

August
4-5 Lethbridge, Alberta
10-12 Abbotsford, British Columbia
18-19 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
25-26 St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Brantford, Ontario

September
1-3 Toronto, Ontario
8-9 Halifax, Nova Scotia

And don't forget our eighth annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2007 issue of Monitoring Times magazine is getting closer to release. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for U.S. and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue from your favorite newstand before it sells out (released in the last week of February). Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine. For more details visit http://www.monitoringtimes.com.

Chinese ASAT Test Update 3

My old friend and former Satellite Times colleague, Dr. TS Kelso, has put up some nice static shots with some pretty cool animations related to the Chinese ASAT test on his Celestrak website. You can view all of this at http://celestrak.com/events/asat.asp. You will need an AGI viewer to watch the animations. You can get that download (free) using the instructions at the bottom of the webpage above.

As of this posting, there are still only 32 debris fragments in the SSC. Either the early press reports on this event of a lot more fragments were overinflated, or the folks at NORAD are holding those additional fragments from public disclosure. Personally the later scenario seems more likely. No sense in giving away any secrets about the capabilities of the military space surveillance system we use. Guess I am going to have to go up to 216.980 MHz (Continuous Wave) and listen to the fence for some of these objects.

A couple of days ago the elsets that follow was posted to one of the space related internet newsgroups.

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29747U 99025AM 07023.56407695 .00007834 00000-0 25342-1 0 101
2 29747 100.1554 008.4028 1558145 118.7696 257.8945 10.98182180 790

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29746U 99025AL 07023.52122785 .00005209 00000-0 17182-1 0 84
2 29746 098.8709 008.6680 1379239 122.0906 252.1432 11.28055527 806

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29745U 99025AK 07022.88000165 .00011797 00000-0 38249-1 0 84
2 29745 098.8045 008.3010 1370855 122.8150 251.2410 11.30226504 631

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29744U 99025AJ 07022.92408167 .00004296 00000-0 13326-1 0 76
2 29744 099.8053 008.4497 1358262 122.0417 251.9808 11.34707238 805

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29743U 99025AH 07023.26564441 .00008760 00000-0 25746-1 0 92
2 29743 099.7993 008.7134 1365876 120.1595 254.1957 11.35877517 788

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29742U 99025AG 07023.50282117 .00024182 00000-0 75466-1 0 73
2 29742 099.6868 008.8786 1332094 127.6101 245.3589 11.38643569 865

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29741U 99025AF 07023.15934099 .00000530 00000-0 14857-2 0 75
2 29741 099.1817 009.2973 1065618 121.9753 248.9378 11.91040578 934

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29740U 99025AE 07023.35087885 .00000250 00000-0 71430-3 0 78
2 29740 099.0073 009.4849 1034757 125.5713 244.6315 11.97311749 959

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29739U 99025AD 07023.50165947 .00005304 00000-0 12466-1 0 76
2 29739 099.1328 010.0265 0906475 128.6718 239.8877 12.24959121 1249

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29738U 99025AC 07023.48683155 .00000601 00000-0 13960-2 0 74
2 29738 099.4695 010.3799 0806857 126.8984 240.8797 12.43799522 1017

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29737U 99025AB 07023.55331542 .00000385 00000-0 88902-3 0 79
2 29737 099.5783 010.6160 0754943 124.2411 243.2529 12.53908238 1090

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29736U 99025AA 07022.48062239 .00000331 00000-0 76037-3 0 69
2 29736 099.4392 009.7780 0733149 121.2931 246.2037 12.58144536 1141

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29735U 99025Z 07023.49007075 .00000390 00000-0 87059-3 0 79
2 29735 099.3780 010.6241 0721588 115.8302 251.8962 12.60810452 1091

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29734U 99025Y 07023.50448246 .00000397 00000-0 82037-3 0 77
2 29734 099.1429 010.8162 0646240 112.9841 254.0730 12.76536434 1415

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29733U 99025X 07023.48589236 .00000041 00000-0 12877-3 0 80
2 29733 099.2096 010.9966 0595561 126.4917 239.2578 12.87183524 1315

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29732U 99025W 07023.50453794 .00011517 00000-0 77803-3 0 81
2 29732 098.8993 014.3324 0307710 299.3374 057.7205 14.75484184 1466

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29731U 99025V 07023.50386682 .00026310 00000-0 18081-2 0 91
2 29731 098.9409 014.3613 0301523 294.1868 062.7790 14.75753423 1208

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29730U 99025U 07023.16379600 .00029781 00000-0 20314-2 0 91
2 29730 098.8857 013.9510 0301870 295.5731 061.4161 14.75910773 1440

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29729U 99025T 07023.16138554 .00024545 00000-0 16417-2 0 92
2 29729 098.9305 013.9855 0304419 295.2754 061.6912 14.76157375 1520

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29728U 99025S 07022.75332484 .00013304 00000-0 85982-3 0 76
2 29728 099.1808 013.6933 0311699 302.5405 054.5912 14.76187137 1381

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29727U 99025R 07023.42451586 .00044173 00000-0 28042-2 0 100
2 29727 098.8406 014.2322 0305861 294.0965 062.8133 14.77458071 1600

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29726U 99025Q 07023.13878412 .00010832 00000-0 47670-3 0 78
2 29726 099.1952 014.2106 0360915 316.9809 040.3661 14.78998480 1231

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29725U 99025P 07022.91792687 .00032899 00000-0 10259-2 0 70
2 29725 097.9767 013.1997 0393629 321.9947 035.3820 14.81700494 1492

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29724U 99025N 07023.51298744 .00041070 00000-0 14606-2 0 117
2 29724 099.0961 014.6515 0366411 312.4457 044.5979 14.83466086 1431

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29723U 99025M 07023.41442734 .00029620 00000-0 89017-3 0 87
2 29723 098.9746 014.5314 0369701 304.6753 052.0088 14.87272308 1129

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29722U 99025L 07023.51727699 .00040032 00000-0 83797-3 0 93
2 29722 098.9141 014.6918 0392541 306.1323 050.3979 14.91500305 1515

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29721U 99025K 07023.48803008 .00059247 00000-0 10272-2 0 126
2 29721 098.9971 014.7962 0393163 299.2981 056.9085 14.95537387 1253

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29720U 99025J 07022.93605049 .00323329 00000-0 57131-2 0 107
2 29720 098.9542 014.1826 0362860 297.2192 059.1041 15.00736564 1365

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29719U 99025H 07023.46000352 .00150504 68572-5 14168-2 0 165
2 29719 099.0245 014.8723 0429081 312.4602 044.0611 15.00468662 1573

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29718U 99025G 07023.52077542 .00228579 12993-4 13557-2 0 137
2 29718 099.2617 015.3329 0417897 279.9121 075.4346 15.10804265 1319

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29717U 99025F 07023.48157323 .00463120 47536-4 21988-2 0 149
2 29717 100.3941 016.2900 0395543 291.1443 064.6185 15.19119627 1538

FENGYUN 1C DEB
1 29716U 99025E 07023.52695506 .01394895 33843-5 84444-3 0 162
2 29716 099.4442 016.0514 0371283 275.8180 080.0741 15.49414372 1563

CZ-4 DEB
1 25733U 99025D 07022.96427767 +.00000207 +00000-0 +13073-3 0 02241
2 25733 098.6098 018.3029 0015029 209.8596 150.1724 14.14126392397485

CZ-4 R/B
1 25732U 99025C 07022.50393907 +.00000067 +00000-0 +53636-4 0 04334
2 25732 098.5452 016.1439 0037608 162.4420 197.8066 14.17130222398539

SJ-5
1 25731U 99025B 07023.52761450 -.00000033 00000-0 53029-5 0 9479
2 25731 098.6338 013.6972 0016564 229.2338 130.7397 14.11832734397188

FENGYUN 1C
1 25730U 99025A 07 16.60112448 .00000048 00000-0 29058-4 0 9329
2 25730 098.6469 006.2281 0014921 004.1687 356.0079 14.06556409396135

Based on these elsets here is a breakdown:

1999-025E 29716 746 x 167 99.443
1999-025F 29717 805 x 238 100.394
1999-025G 29718 837 x 246 99.261
1999-025H 29719 873 x 268 99.023
1999-025J 29720 833 x 314 98.961
1999-025K 29721 858 x 308 98.994
1999-025L 29722 869 x 320 98.910
1999-025M 29723 867 x 348 98.976
1999-025N 29724 877 x 362 99.100
1999-025P 29725 902 x 348 97.978
1999-025Q 29726 886 x 379 99.197
1999-025R 29727 854 x 424 98.842
1999-025S 29728 861 x 422 99.178
1999-025T 29729 856 x 428 98.929
1999-025U 29730 856 x 430 98.883
1999-025V 29731 856 x 431 98.938
1999-025W 29732 860 x 428 98.898
1999-025X 29733 1771 x 855 99.211
1999-025Y 29734 856 x 855 99.142
1999-025Z 29735 982 x 857 99.377
1999-025AA 29736 2003 x 858 99.437
1999-025AB 29737 2039 x 857 99.574
1999-025AC 29738 2116 x 856 99.472
1999-025AD 29739 2290 x 852 99.132
1999-025AE 29740 2528 x 858 99.005
1999-025AF 29741 2584 x 858 99.177
1999-025AG 29742 3079 x 859 99.261
1999-025AH 29743 3116 x 848 99.792
1999-025AJ 29744 3121 x 854 99.805
1999-025AK 29745 3160 x 860 98.813
1999-025AL 29746 3180 x 860 98.877
1999-025AM 29747 3499 x 845 100.158

NORAD exercise planned for Washington D.C.

Regarding a previous article on this blog, we still have not seen the name change that public affairs officials at NEADS said was coming after the NEADS-SEADS merger. Guess this reporter will have to get back on the phone.

Release courtesy of Michael Kucharek, Alan Henney and the SCAN-DC newsgroup.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region (CONR), will conduct Exercise Falcon Virgo 07-04 Thursday in the National Capital Region (Washington, D.C.).

This exercise comprises a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, and NORAD's Northeastern Air Defense Sector.

Exercise Falcon Virgo 07-04 is designed to test NORAD's intercept and identification operations. Civil Air Patrol aircraft, C-38s, and US Coast Guard HH-65 helicopters will participate in the exercise. Residents in the area can expect flights to occur during the late night and early morning hours.

In the event of inclement weather the exercise will push to the next day, until all exercise requirements are met.

These exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure NORAD's rapid response capability. NORAD has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the U.S. and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the command's response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

As the Continental United States (CONUS) geographical component of the bi-national command NORAD, CONR provides airspace surveillance and control, and directs air sovereignty activities for the CONUS region. CONR and its assigned Air Force assets throughout the country ensure air safety and security against potential air threats.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, NORAD fighters have responded to more than 2,100 possible air threats in the United States, Canada and Alaska, and have flown more than 42,000 sorties with the support of Airborne Warning and Control System and air-to-air-refueling aircraft.