Lt. Col. Martin Bortolutti, commander 117th Space Battalion,

Lt. Col. Martin Bortolutti, commander 117th Space Battalion, addresses the soldiers of Army Space Support Team 23, 117th Space Battalion, during the departure ceremony at the departure ceremony for Army Space Support Team 23, 117th Space Battalion, at the Colorado National Guard State Headquarters June 25. ARSST-23 is deploying for approximately one year and will provide space-based products and support to units serving in the Southwest Asia area of operations. An ARSST supports the war fighters by monitoring and providing accurate, timely, and actionable terrestrial and space weather data. They also provide satellite imagery; surveillance; reconnaissance; early warning of missile threats; GPS monitoring and accuracy reporting; and monitoring and reporting of counter-improvised explosive device programs - all of which contribute to situational awareness of the battlefield. (Photo by U.S. Army National Guard 1st Lt. Skye Robinson/RELEASED)