50 SCS prepares for GBS transition

by Scott Prater Schriever Sentinel SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  – Its three-letter acronym sounds like it might represent a television network, or perhaps a mispronunciation of GPS, the Global Positioning System well known around the world. Lt. Col. Fred Taylor, 50th Space Communications Squadron commander, contends that even though the Global Broadcast Service may be less renowned, it provides a vital service to joint warfighters downrange who depend on its information to make decisions of utmost importance. “GBS is another mission system at Schriever with ‘global’ impacts,” Taylor said. “It provides tremendous bang for the buck in terms of bandwidth and capability.” The 50 SCS has been operating and maintaining GBS since February 2009 and plays multiple roles in its everyday activity, which will increase dramatically during the next few years as the service transitions to a completely new system architecture located here. So what is GBS? “It’s a communication broadcast service deployed to meet the ever-growing warfighter demand for large-volume data throughput capabilities for deployed users,” said Maj. Alycia Vrosh, 50 SCS individual mobilization augmentee. “GBS disseminates large data and video products as well as source-encrypted video streams.” For example, remote piloted aircraft typically fly around pivotal areas taking photos and video. […]
50 SCS prepares for GBS transition