U.S. Army Dedicates New Wideband Satellite Communications Operations Center (WSOC) On Island

By Michael Howard, USASMDC/ARSTRATFebruary 14, 2011

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command / Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) will dedicate its new Wideband Satellite Communications Operations Center (WSOC) during a ceremony at 10 a.m., Feb. 23, at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBHH), Wahiawa Annex.

The 28,244 square-foot state-of-the-art building was completed under contract by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii earlier this summer at a cost of $25.3 million.

The facility is a prototype for three other WSOC locations slated world-wide. This Center serves as the new home for Army space Soldiers of Delta Company, 53rd Signal Battalion, 1st Space Brigade. These Soldiers serve as controllers of the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and Wideband Global Satellite-Communication (WGS) satellite constellations. This means they command communications payload on these satellites and provide user control.

The purpose of this new facility is to provide Delta Company controllers increased capabilities to control the communications payload and communications transmissions of the DSCS and WGS constellations. The system is composed of satellites, users, controllers, planners, and managers. Three WGS satellites are currently on orbit. A single WGS spacecraft has as much bandwidth as the entire DSCS constellation.

Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica, USASMDC/ARSTRAT commanding general, and other command leaders will speak on the importance of this new facility and the role the Army is playing today in the area of Space-based capabilities as well as be available for comment and interviews afterwards. Demonstrations and tours of the facility will take place after the ceremony.