Space Delta 13
Delta emblem
Active1984–1991
2021–present
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeDelta
RoleSpace education
Part ofSpace Training and Readiness Command
HeadquartersMaxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
WebsiteOfficial website
Commanders
CommanderCol Bryan J. Dutcher
Deputy CommanderCol Stephen A. Hobbs
Senior Enlisted LeaderCMSgt Nichole E. Reynolds[1]
Insignia
Guidon

Space Delta 13 (DEL 13) is a United States Space Force unit responsible for space education. It offers advanced and developmental space education courses for the Space Force and its joint and allied partners. It was established on 23 August 2021 following the establishment of the Space Training and Readiness Command, the field command to which it reports. It is temporarily headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, but its final location requires a base selection process.[2][3]

History

3430th Technical Training Group emblem

DEL 13's lineage can be traced back to 1 October 1984 when the Air Training Command activated the 3430th Technical Training Group (3430 TCHTG) under the 3400 Technical Training Wing at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, responsible for all training related the space operations mission in support of the Air Force Space Command. It initially composed of the 3423th Technical Training Squadron (3423 TCHTS) with operating locations in Sunnyvale Air Force Station and Johnson Space Center. That year, it had 67 instructors, teaching 33 courses and trained 973 officers and enlisted personnel. In 1987, it gained a second squadron, the 3454th Technical Training Squadron (3454 TCHTS).[4] The 3423 TCHTG was inactivated on 1 September 1991.[5]

Space Delta 13 activation, 2021

Prior to the activation of Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM), the 3423 TCHTG was redesignated as Space Delta 13 (DEL 13) on 19 August 2021. During the activation of STARCOM on 23 August 2021, DEL 13 was one of the five deltas activated as part of the new field command.[6] A ceremony was held on 13 September 2021 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to signify the activation of DEL 13.[7] It was formed by consolidating various space education units such as the National Security Space Institute (NSSI) and the Forrest L. Vosler Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (Vosler NCO Academy) and two detachments that serve as liaisons to the United States Air Force Academy and Air University. Additionally, the 13th Delta Operations Squadron was activated on 15 September 2021 to provide operational support to DEL 13.[8]

DEL 13 is temporarily based at Maxwell while a permanent location will be determined through the strategic basing process.[7][5]

Instead of standing up its own war college like other services, the Space Force in 2023 partnered with the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies for its intermediate and senior professional military education.[9][10]

Structure

DEL 13 is one of five deltas that reports to the Space Training and Readiness Command. It is composed of the following six subordinate units, three squadrons and three detachments:[11]

Unit Function Headquarters
S
Q
U
A
D
R
O
N
S 		13th Delta Operations Squadron[12] Delta staff and squadron management Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
National Security Space Institute Military space education Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Forrest L. Vosler Noncommissioned Officer Academy Enlisted professional military education Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
D
E
T
S
Detachment 1[13] Space Force liaison to U.S. Air Force Academy United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
Detachment 2[13] Space Force liaison to Air University[14] Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
Detachment 3[15] Schriever & West Space Scholars Program (ILE & SLE)[16] Washington D.C.

List of commanders

Col Lindhorst (left), inaugural commander of DEL 13, salutes commanders of the delta's subordinate units during the activation ceremony, 2021
No. Commander Term Ref
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term Length
1
Niki J. Lindhorst
Colonel
Niki J. Lindhorst		23 August 20215 August 20231 year, 347 days[17]
2
Bryan J. Dutcher
Colonel
Bryan J. Dutcher		5 August 2023Incumbent171 days[18][19]

References

  1. ^ "NICHOLE E. REYNOLDS". Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  2. ^ "DEL 13". Space Training and Readiness Command. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/How-We-Do-It/Space-Delta-13-Education/ Archived 24 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Miller, Amanda (23 August 2021). "Raymond: New STARCOM Will 'Shape the Next Century' of Space Operations". Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  4. ^ http://www.usafunithistory.com/PDF/3000/3430%20TECHNICAL%20TRAINING%20GP.pdf Archived 24 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine[bare URL PDF]
  5. ^ a b "Space Delta 13 (STARCOM)". Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Space Force activates Space Training and Readiness Command". United States Space Force. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ a b "Space Delta 13 activates to lead STARCOM education and accessions". 14 September 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Space Delta 13 - Education". Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Space Force Chooses a Private University for its First War College". 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Space Force to partner with Johns Hopkins University SAIS for service-specific IDE, SDE". 26 October 2022. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Col Peter Flores, STAR Delta-P/CC, and other leaders met with Acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth yesterday to discuss the important role that #STARDelta plays within the United States Space Force. #SemperSupra #Guardians". Facebook. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. ^ "CSO visits AU, Space Force Delta 13 staff". Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Space Delta 13 Activation and Assumption of Command Ceremony". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Meet the Command Team: Space Delta 13". Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Space Delta 13 - Education". www.starcom.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  16. ^ "U.S. Space Force Schriever & West Space Scholars Program (ILE & SLE)". Johns Hopkins SAIS. 23 January 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  17. ^ "COLONEL NIKI J. LINDHORST" (PDF). Space Training and Readiness Command. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  18. ^ "BRYAN J. DUTCHER". Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  19. ^ "Col. Bryan Dutcher Assumes Command of Delta 13". Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

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