The 45th Space Wing successfully launched the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite onboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V vehicle here Friday from launch pad 41 at 2:42 p.m. AEHF-1 was launched from here in August of 2010.

The rocket flew in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

The commander of the 45th Space Wing praised the work of all those involved in making this launch a success.

"As always, it's our team's pleasure to work on this mission and we applaud the teamwork between our wing and all our mission partners involved in making this mission a success," said Brig. Gen. Anthony Cotton, who also served as the Launch Decision Authority for the launch.

"We do everything as a team here on the Space Coast. And what we do is important to members of every single service," he said.

AEHF is a joint service satellite communications system that will provide survivable, global, secure, protected, and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets. The AEHF system is the follow-on to the Milstar system, augmenting, improving and expanding the Department of Defense's MILSATCOM architecture.

The 45th Space Wing's mission is to assure access to the higher frontier and to support global operations by delivering space effects that protect and defend our nation through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power.