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A Delta II booster blasts off from Space Launch Complex 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Leaving no room for error, the mission assurance technicians follow each task to full completion. They make sure every screw is secure and every technical order is followed to the letter. “There have been times when we have identified an area that needed additional attention, and when we do, it makes us feel like we may have helped save that mission or keep that mission on track,” said Tech. Sgt. Marshall McBride, a mission assurance tech- nician with the 5th SLS who oversees production of Delta rockets. “These satellites on these rockets help warfighters every day from flying planes to carrying out ground operations.” The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, Atlas V and Delta IV are part of a new era of space lift vehicles that will serve as the primary vehicles to take national military space assets along with civil, commercial and scientific payloads into space for the foresee- able future. EELVs are the cornerstone for launching national and military space assets that provide global communications, precision navigation, early warning of attack and other classified missions into orbit. Delta IVs and Atlas Vs have become the next generation of workhorses of heavy launch capability that carry payloads into geosynchronous orbit. As the rocket teams work to ensure launch vehicles hit the exact orbit, members of the 45th Launch Support Squadron prepare, test and verify the payloads for the rockets are ready for their mission. When they come from the factory, 45th LCSS mem- bers ensure the satellites are prepared to perform their mission 24/7/365 for up to 15 years. www.AirmAnonline.af.mil 30