Currently, S.W.O.R.D. is known as Krakoa's mutant space program. A variety of mutants have joined this organization to defend the Earth and explore the vastness of the universe. While S.W.O.R.D. didn't start off asthat kind of mutant organization, it was first introduced as part of the X-Men world.
S.W.O.R.D. first appeared in Astonishing X-Men #3, by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. At the time, S.W.O.R.D. was a subdivision of S.H.I.E.L.D., dealing with extraterrestrial threats while S.H.I.E.L.D. handled planetary ones. S.W.O.R.D. employed plenty of aliens along with humans, in order to get a well-rounded perspective on dangers from across the universe.
When Ord of the Breakworld declared war on Earth, S.W.O.R.D. stepped up to handle this threat. In order to protect Earth, S.W.O.R.D.'s director, Abigail Brand, took drastic measures. Indeed, S.W.O.R.D. negotiated with Ord. Since Breakworld prophesized its destruction at the hands of a mutant, Brand recruited Dr. Kavita Rao to help synthesize a mutant "cure" until they discovered who the destroyer would be.
During this period, S.W.O.R.D. was fully aware of Ord's resurrection and torture of Colossus. Additionally, the "cure" was synthesized through experimentation on dead mutants. Ultimately, when Ord went rogue, S.W.O.R.D. helped the X-Men capture and imprison him.
Afterward, S.W.O.R.D. kept an eye on the X-Men from the Peak, their orbiting headquarters. The Peak was primarily used to monitor any potential threats from outer space. Once Nick Fury left S.H.I.E.L.D., S.W.O.R.D. distanced themselves from their parent organization. Still, S.W.O.R.D. maintained a watchful eye on the X-Mansion, attempting to discover who the Breakworld's destroyer might be. Eventually, Brand and her colleagues found that Colossus was the prophesized destroyer. By this time, Ord broke free of custody, attacking the X-Mansion.
S.W.O.R.D. beamed Ord and the X-Men onto their ship, charting a course for Breakworld. Brand was attempting to divert a Breakworld armada from Earth, while also stopping the Breakworld's secret weapon from launching. Brand then revealed that Kitty Pryde's dragon, Lockheed, was a mole working for S.W.O.R.D.
Working with Cyclops' X-Men, S.W.O.R.D. took the fight to Breakworld. The organization investigated the Breakworld prophecy and found the location of its secret weapon. S.W.O.R.D. aided the X-Men's assault on Breakworld so that they could reach this giant bullet. From there, Kitty entered the bullet and phased it through the Earth, saving the world.
Now, S.W.O.R.D. retains many similarities to its original appearance. For instance, the Peak still serves as the organization's orbiting headquarters, and Abigail Brand is still in charge. Just as it did during S.W.O.R.D.'s previous incarnations, Brand's leadership promotes the idea that Earth comes first. While Krakoa is technically in control of S.W.O.R.D., Brand doesn't care for human/mutant conflicts as much as defending the overall planet.
This aspect of S.W.O.R.D. echoes its previous relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D. While S.W.O.R.D. was an offshoot of S.H.I.E.L.D., their connection was minimal and S.W.O.R.D. remained largely autonomous. Likewise, S.W.O.R.D. is now connected with Krakoa, but Brand still makes the big decisions. Members of the Quiet Council like Magneto will visit on occasion, but S.W.O.R.D. is very much its own entity.
Of course, one major difference between S.W.O.R.D. now and when it was first introduced is that mutants currently run the organization. Before, S.W.O.R.D. was like an intergalactic S.H.I.E.L.D., comprised of humans and aliens who gathered intelligence. Now, mutants are running the station, gathering intelligence while also exploring the universe. This emphasis on discovery makes S.W.O.R.D. more proactive than before, pushing the boundaries of space travel.
S.W.O.R.D. may be a bit different today than during its introduction, but the current state of the organization owes a lot to its first appearance in Astonishing X-Men.