45th Operations Group
The 45th Operations Group was a United States Space Force unit. It was assigned to 45th Space Wing, stationed at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. In May 2021, it was inactivated upon the redesignation of the 45th Space Wing to Space Launch Delta 45.
| 45th Operations Group | |
|---|---|
Cassini–Huygens spacecraft launch, 15 October 1997 | |
| Active | 1941–1942, 1991–2021 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Space Force |
| Type | Space Group |
| Role | Space launch |
| Part of | Space Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station |
| Motto(s) | Ad Astra Latin To the Stars (1942) |
| Insignia | |
| Patch with 45th Operations Group emblem (Approved 19 July 1967 for Air Force Eastern Test Range) | |
| 45th Bombardment Group emblem (Approved 6 January 1942) | |
Up until 2003, the 45th Operations Group was responsible for program management and operation of up to five squadrons which perform all Eastern Range launch operations including Delta II, Delta III, Atlas II, Atlas III, Titan IV, Space Shuttle, Pegasus, and Athena space launch vehicles.
The Operations Group provides support to Naval Ordnance Test Unit operations. In support of space launch operations, the Operations Group coordinates training for the wing, manages all wing spacecraft services systems and facilities, and manages the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip and the Patrick Space Force Base air traffic complex, handling more than 24,000 aircraft operations annually.