18th Space Defense Squadron

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18th Space Defense Squadron
Squadron emblem
Active	1966 – 1975; 1990 – 2004; 2016 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Space Force
Type	Space domain awareness
Role	Space surveillance
Size	115 military and civilian
Part of	Space Delta 2
Garrison/HQ	Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Motto(s)	Semper vigilans in sine alto (Latin for 'Ever Vigilant in the High Frontier') We Find (1968-1995)
Systems	Space Defense Operations Center (SPADOC) Astrodynamic Support Workstation (ASW)
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Website	Official website
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col Jordan O.E. Mugg
Insignia
18th Space Control Squadron emblem[note 1][1]
18th Surveillance Squadron emblem[note 2]

The 18th Space Defense Squadron (18 SDS) is a United States Space Force Space Domain Awareness unit located at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The 18th SDS is tasked with executing command and control of the space surveillance network (SSN), maintaining the resident space object (RSO) database and managing United States Space Command's space situational awareness (SSA) sharing program to United States, foreign government, commercial, and academic entities. The squadron also conducts advanced analysis, sensor optimization, conjunction assessment, human spaceflight support, reentry/break-up assessment, and launch analysis.^[2]

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