Space group to activate new unit Published Dec. 27, 2005 By Maj. David Rice 310th Space Group liaison to National Security Space Institute SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- Air Force Reserve Command’s 310th Space Group will travel deeper into the space program when it activates a new unit Jan. 7. Headquarters Reserve National Security Space Institute will be a Reserve associate unit to the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, Colo. The institute is the Department of Defense’s focal point for providing education about space power in joint warfighting. Col. Susan Rhodes will serve as the first commandant of the Reserve NSSI. “Our new unit will bring unique capabilities to Air Force Space Command and the NSSI -- a surge capacity to complete a lot of course development across a drill weekend, additional space expertise from the civilian sector, long-term continuity and a firm knowledge base,” she said. The reservists will join the 310th SG, a diverse organization that is used to taking on new missions, said Col. Jeff Ansted, who moves up from vice commander to commander of the group Jan. 7. “Our group is made up of units that run the gamut in space missions,” Colonel Ansted said . “We have space aggressors, testers, security forces and communications units in addition to our traditional roles as space operators executing missile warning, navigation, weather and Joint Space Operations Center missions.” Eleven full-time and 44 traditional reservists will support the active-duty, joint-mission school, which instructs courses in space professional education, warfighter training (space mission areas), advanced space training, and space familiarization as part of the Air Force and National Space Professional Strategy. The Reserve instructors will bring civilian and military experience to course research and development. Lt. Col. Frank Gallagher, NSSI commandant, said he looks forward to bringing in a Reserve unit to support his mission. “Standing up the Reserve associate unit will give us the right expertise to further the development of our advanced courses,” he said. “Most active-duty (space operators) have only three years experience in a particular mission area. With the RAU that number could triple.” In addition to the RNSSI, the 310th has nine other units here at Peterson Air FOrce Base and Buckley AFB in Colorado, and Vandenberg AFB, California. The space group has more than 500 people assigned. (Courtesy AFRC News Service)