14th Test Squadron The 14th Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit located at Schriever Air Force Base , Colorado . It is an Air Force Reserve unit that augments the 17th Test Squadron . The squadron is responsible for testing and evaluating space systems and associated support equipment . The unit was originally established in 1972 as the 14th Missile Warning Squadron . The missile warning squadron was an active duty unit that operated early warning radar s at eight locations around the United States until it was inactivated in 1980 . The squadron was reactivated and given its current space test mission in 2000 . Mission . Cold War . The 14th Missile Warning Squadron was established on 17 April 1972 and activated on 8 July 1972 . The unit was assigned to the 14th Aerospace Force . Its primary mission was detecting and tracking intercontinental ballistic missile s and sea - launched ballistic missiles . The squadron was also responsible for tracking satellites that passed over the United States . The squadron operated radars at eight geographically separated locations around the United States . The radar sites began operating in the mid - 1960s under other command elements , but were brought together into one squadron when the 14th Missile Warning Squadron was established in 1972 . Seven of the sited operated the AN / FSS - 7 missile warning radar ( also known as a " Fuzzy - 7 " radar ) , a modified version of the AN / FPS - 26 height - finder radar . One radar site ( Moorestown ) operated a prototype AN / FPS - 49 missile - warning radar . The 14th Missile Warning Squadron was inactivated in 1980 . Today . The mission of the 14th Test Squadron is to enhance warfighting capabilities of Air Force Space Command by testing and evaluating space assets . To accomplish this , unit personnel provide long - term continuity and technical expertise to active duty test managers conducting operational tests on new space systems . The squadron also supports specific test operations at Cheyenne Mountain and information assurance testing throughout Air Force Space Command . Organization . Cold War . The 14th Missile Warning Squadron was assigned to the 14th Aerospace Force from 8 July 1972 to 30 September 1976 . It was then assigned to Aerospace Defense Command from 1 October 1976 to 30 November 1979 . Finally , it was assigned to 42nd Air Division within the Strategic Air Command from 1 December 1979 until the unit was inactivated on 1 October 1980 . The squadron headquarters was originally at Laredo Air Force Base , Texas . It was located there from 8 July 1972 until at least 1 January 1974 . It may have remained at Laredo until mid - 1975 ; however , the actual departure date is unknown . In 1975 , the squadron ’ s headquarters was moved to MacDill Air Force Base , Florida . The headquarters was located at MacDill from 30 June 1975 until the unit was inactivated . The 14th Missile Warning Squadron ' s eight detachments were located along the east and west coasts of the United States . The warning radars were at : Today . The 14th Test Squadron is an Air Force Reserve squadron . Its personnel augment the 17th Test Squadron , its active duty counterpart unit . The two units cooperate on many test and evaluation efforts , providing senior Air Force leaders with an independent assessment of new space systems . Since the acquisition process for space systems can take several years , reservists from the 14th Test Squadron provide program continuity . Reservists also bring unique expertise and extensive experience to complex test and evaluation programs they support . The squadron has three flights that provide operational test and evaluation support to Air Force Space Command and major commands . Redesignation . On 1 October 2000 , the Air Force reactivated the unit as the 14th Test Squadron . The mission of the 14th Test Squadron is to test and evaluate of space assets for Air Force Space Command . To accomplish this , unit personnel provide long - term continuity and technical expertise to active duty test managers conducting operational tests on new space systems . The squadron also supports specific test operations at Cheyenne Mountain . The 14th Test Squadron is an Air Force Reserve squadron . The unit supports its active duty counterpart , the 17th Test Squadron . The two units cooperate on many test efforts , providing senior Air Force leaders with an independent assessment of new space systems . Since the acquisition process for space systems can take several years , reservists from the 14th Test Squadron provide continuity to long - term test and evaluation programs . The 14th Test Squadron is located at Schriever Air Force Base , Colorado . The squadron is assigned to the 310th Space Wing . The squadron has three flights . The " Weapons and Surveillance Flight " is located at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station , Colorado . Its personnel test the " Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment System " , which provides real - time threat information to the National Command Authority . The " Information Assurance Flight " is located at Schriever Air Force Base . The flight conducts information assurance assessments of space systems . Its personnel use their expertise in networking , operating systems , databases , and information assurance controls to identify space system vulnerabilities for Air Force Space Command . The " Evaluation and Assessment Flight " is also located at Schriever Air Force Base . It supports rapid delivery of new space systems . The flight uses non - traditional management techniques to help expedite the delivery of space assets . Awards . The squadron has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award three times . All three awards were received while the unit was the 14th Missile Warning Squadron .