21 SOPS Inactivates, 22 SOPS Det. 2 Activates

U.S. Space Force Col. Andrew Menschner, Mission Delta 31 commander, and presiding official, left, assists U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Matthew Knepper, outgoing 21st Space Operations Squadron commander, in covering the 21 SOPS flag during the squadron’s inactivation ceremony at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., June 25, 2025. 21 SOPS was activated at Vandenberg Air Force Base in October of 1991, aiding in mission assurance for space operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua LeRoi)

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21 SOPS Inactivates, 22 SOPS Det. 2 Activates

U.S. Space Force Col. Andrew Menschner, Mission Delta 31 commander and presiding official, receives the 21st Space Operations Squadron flag from U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Matthew Knepper, outgoing 21 SOPS commander, during the inactivation ceremony of 21 SOPS at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., June 25, 2025. Knepper, who assumed command of 21 SOPS in June of 2023, relieves his command to Stephen Ramirez, the incoming site director of the 22 SOPS Detachment 2. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua LeRoi)

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21 SOPS Inactivates, 22 SOPS Det. 2 Activates

U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Jean Purgason, 22nd Space Operations Squadron commander, poses with Stephen Ramirez, incoming 22 SOPS Detachment 2 site director, during the activation of 22 SOPS Detachment 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., June 25, 2025. Military personnel gathered at Vandenberg’s Tracking Station to celebrate the activation of 22 SOPS Detachment 2, the inactivation of 21 SOPS, and Vandenberg’s ongoing mission in the execution of space operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua LeRoi)

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21 SOPS Inactivates, 22 SOPS Det. 2 Activates

U.S. Space Force Col. Andrew Menschner, Mission Delta 31 commander and presiding official, presents a decoration to U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Matthew Knepper, outgoing 21st Space Operations Squadron commander, during the inactivation ceremony of 21 SOPS at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., June 25, 2025. On account of his time serving as commander of 21 SOPS, Knepper received the Meritorious Service Medal, an award celebrating his achievements and meritorious service on behalf of the United States. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua LeRoi)

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21 SOPS Inactivates, 22 SOPS Det. 2 Activates

U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Jean Purgason, 22nd Space Operations Squadron commander, passes the 22 SOPS flag to Stephen Ramirez, incoming 22 SOPS Detachment 2 site director, during the activation ceremony of 22 SOPS Detachment 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., June 25, 2025. Ramirez assumed command of 22 SOPS Detachment 2 following the inactivation of 21 SOPS at Vandenberg Space Force Base. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua LeRoi)

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21 SOPS Inactivates, 22 SOPS Det. 2 Activates

Published June 27, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Joshua LeRoi

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. --

Military personnel gathered at Vandenberg’s Tracking Station to celebrate the activation of 22 SOPS Detachment 2, the inactivation of 21 SOPS, and Vandenberg’s ongoing mission in the execution of space operations.