A vital support has been provided by the 45th Space Wing officials for the launch of NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-L mission aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on January 23, 2014. The spacecraft was launched from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 9:33 p.m.

The airmen and Air Force civilians at the 45th Space Wing provided help in performing all the launch and range operations, including weather forecasts, security, safety, medical, public affairs, radar network, telemetry and communication instruments. Nina Armagno, Brigadier General Commander of the 45th Space Wing, said that the spacecraft will be carried by the Atlas 5 rocket on a two-hour flight to geosynchronous transfer orbit. At that point, TDRS-L will undergo testing process for several months and will maneuver itself into a circular orbit.

This year has been reported as the busiest year for rocket launch with 14 flights to go for United Launch Alliance. The launch of Atlas 5 rocket with the 7,600-pound Tracking and Data Relay Satellite for NASA has marked the beginning of the busiest year for rocket launch.

Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs, said: "The Atlas 5 continues to provide reliable, cost-effective launch services for our nation's most complex and valued payloads".

The next Atlas mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office is planned to launch on 25 March, 2014 on the NROL-67 mission. On 3 April, 2014, the flight of Atlas 5 carrying the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program weather observatory for the Air Force is scheduled to launch for first time from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.