Assigned to Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., the unit is one of five geographically based teams supporting year-round contingencies and exercises with all branches of the military.

The team here is helping enhance the accuracy of NATO air strikes for aircraft operating under the 2nd Air Expeditionary Group in support of Operation Allied Force.

The four-man team here provides imagery of the target areas for the B-1B's from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and B-52H's from Minot AFB, N.D., and Barksdale AFB, La., according to Capt. Dan Dant, 76th SOPS space weapons officer.

"One of the features we have here is the ability to allow mission planners and deployed leadership the opportunity to watch the missions as they occur," said Maj. Bruce Watson, 76th SOPS flight commander. "We can watch as the planes enter the target area and drop their bombs and then leave. We're able to see the plane safely accomplish the mission."

The team also works with the global positioning system, and monitors the "constellation" -- a network of 27 GPS satellites.

Accuracy is one reason that the GPS receives special attention by 76th SOPS team.

"We work to ensure the readings taken off the GPS are as accurate as possible because the aircraft navigate around the world using GPS, and missiles and smart bombs are guided by GPS navigation to their targets," said Master Sgt. Kris Washburn, 76th SOPS intelligence specialist.

Aircraft use GPS because constant updates can be obtained from anywhere around the world, Watson added.

On a typical day, the team works to produce target imagery for the intelligence shop and the mission planning cell, based on ever-changing mission requirements.

"We take each intended route and target area and put it into the computer," said Washburn. "From this information, the imagery database provides us with a 3-D image of the target area. This gives the crews a better idea of the terrain around the target."

The team can also provide situational awareness displays that demonstrate where potential threats are located. Charts can then be printed out and taken along on the mission, or equipment can be set up in the airplane for up-to-the-minute situational awareness information.

"We're also not restricted to setting up shop at an established base. We have the equipment to set up in a bare-base location if necessary," said Watson. "Through the use of the equipment we carry with us when we deploy, we're able to establish classified communications through a commercial satellite system, if needed."

Much of what is learned from space-oriented technology is based on cooperation, according to Tech. Sgt. John Crochunis, 76th SOPS space systems operator.

"We work alongside the air crews, mission planners and the intelligence shop to exchange knowledge," Crochunis said. "We have a need to educate people on what space can bring to the fight as much as we need to understand the flying side so that we can learn how to produce a better product for them."

"Space brings a new dimension to the fight just like air power does for the Army and Navy," said Washburn. "The job we're doing here today serves as a force enhancer. It doesn't make the mission, it makes it that much better."

Balkan Milspace Reports At SpaceWar