In a powerful moment of recognition, the 11th Space Warning Squadron (11th SWS) of the U.S. Space Force has been honored as the top unit of 2024 for its critical role in detecting and tracking hundreds of Iranian missiles last year.
Guardians Recognized for Life-Saving Missile Detection
The squadron received the first-ever General Atomics Space Force Unit of the Year award from the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
The award was created to highlight the silent work of Space Force Guardians—men and women who don’t fight on the front lines but provide essential warning and tracking to those who do. Far from the real conflict, the 11th SWS is based at Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado. But their work saved lives thousands of miles away.
During two major attacks by Iran in April and October 2024, the 11th SWS provided early warnings that allowed fighter pilots to respond quickly. These alerts helped destroy incoming missiles before they could strike Israel. The response was only possible because of the precise and rapid tracking done by this team.
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The unit’s work during the attack on April 13 was crucial. As waves of missiles were launched, alarms sounded 300 times. Each sound meant a missile was in the air. Guardians quickly worked together, verifying data and sending warnings. This high-pressure environment tested their training—and they didn’t fail.
Alarms, Pressure, and Young Heroes at Work
Some of the Space Force Guardians had just graduated from high school, and many were new to the position. Yet, under intense pressure, they managed their duties with focus and determination. Crew Chief Sgt. Jonathan Stark described how young team members handled the enormous responsibility, calling it “amazing” to watch them stay calm and mission-ready.
Captain Abigail Flannery, the weapons officer for the 11th Space Force Warning Squadron, shared the experience on the Mitchell Institute’s podcast. She said the missile attacks were unlike anything the squadron had dealt with before. Hundreds of launches occurred within minutes, pushing them to rethink how they operate and how to handle the pressure of real-time threats.
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Despite their young age, these Space Force Guardians processed and passed on critical information at lightning speed. Every second mattered. Their fast response allowed Air Force jets to intercept missiles before they reached their targets.
In 2024, the Space Force squadron analyzed new battlefield technologies, created new strategies to counter large-scale attacks, and tracked almost 2,700 missile launches. According to award reports, they improved on-time missile warnings by 69%, making a real impact on global defense operations.
New Tech, Old Mission: Saving Lives
The 11th SWS’s mission isn’t new. It started during Operation Desert Storm, helping to detect Iraqi Scud missile launches. Over time, the tools and systems they use have improved. Today, the unit operates the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and monitors threats from space using the Overhead Persistent Infra-Red (OPIR) Battlespace Awareness Center.
Beyond warning and tracking, the squadron helps test and adopt new technologies. In April, during Iran’s attack, they were testing a new ground system called FORGE—Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution. FORGE is designed to handle more missile data faster and resist cyberattacks. Despite being in a trial phase, the team managed to use it during the attack successfully.
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Manship, the squadron’s commander, praised the team for adapting to the new system in the middle of a real attack. She said the Guardians did “great adapting” and met every objective without failure.
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This new award highlights not only operational success but also team spirit and innovation. The Mitchell Institute judged units based on mission performance, innovation, and overall impact on the Space Force. The 11th SWS checked every box.
The squadron will retain the trophy for a year, and it is adorned with the Space Force core principles of courage, dedication, character, and connection.
As leadership changes hands within the squadron, those values remain visible every day in how the Guardians do their jobs. From tracking missiles in space to deploying battlefield tech quickly, the 11th SWS stands as an example of space-age defense done right.
