The squadron also provides combat-ready crews to deploy and employ defensive space electromagnetic warfare capabilities for theater combatant commanders.

The unit detects, characterizes, geolocation and electromagnetic interference for satellite communications systems, supporting combatant commanders.

16th SPCS operators can remotely control and task the fixed and deployable antenna suites from Peterson Air Force Base.

[1] The unit's mission was to operate the Cobra Dane long-range early warning radar system, used to track Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

Airmen from the 16th and its reserve associate, the 380th Space Control Squadron provide the preponderance of the required manpower for this mission.