45th Operations Group
| 45th Operations Group | |
|---|---|
Cassini–Huygens spacecraft launch, 15 October 1997 | |
| Active | 1941–1942, 1991–2021 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Group |
| Role | Space launch |
| Motto(s) | Ad Astra (Latin for 'To the Stars') |
| Insignia | |
| Patch with 45th Operations Group emblem (Approved 19 July 1967 for Air Force Eastern Test Range) | |
| 45th Bombardment Group emblem | |
The 45th Operations Group was a United States Air Force unit. It was assigned to 45th Space Wing, stationed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. In May 2021, it was inactivated and its assetts reassigned to Space Launch Delta 45.
Up until 2003, the 45th Operations Group was responsible for program management and operation of up to five squadrons which perform all Eastern Range launch operations including Delta II, Delta III, Atlas II, Atlas III, Titan IV, Space Shuttle, Pegasus, and Athena space launch vehicles.
The group provided support to Naval Ordnance Test Unit operations. In support of space launch operations, it coordinated training for the wing, manages all wing spacecraft services systems and facilities, and manages the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip and the Patrick Air Force Base air traffic control complex, handling more than 24,000 aircraft operations annually.