Space Operations Command

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"SPOC" redirects here. For other uses, see SPOC (disambiguation).
For the numbered air force known as Space Operations Command from 2019 to 2020, see Fourteenth Air Force.

Space Operations Command
Space Operations Command emblem
Founded21 October 2020; 3 years, 5 months[1]
as Space Operations Command
1 September 1982; 41 years, 7 months
Field command
Role
Size11,000 personnel
CMSgt Caleb M. Lloyd[9]
Insignia
Flag
Space Operations Command subdued emblem

Space Operations Command (SpOC) is the

field command. Headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado,[10] it consists of its mission deltas, and garrison commands.[11]

It was established on 1 September 1982 as Space Command (SPACECOM), the first dedicated

Army Space Command. On 20 December 2019, following the establishment of the United States Space Force as an independent service, Air Force Space Command was also redesignated as United States Space Force (USSF) and served as the transitional headquarters of the new service, but remained a component of the U.S. Air Force. On 21 October 2020, United States Space Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command and officially transitioned from a U.S. Air Force major command to a U.S. Space Force field command.[6]

History

Establishing Space Command

Air Force major commands responsible for space operations
A NORAD Space Defense Center orbital analyst tracking Kosmos 1402 in 1983.

The Air Force's space program began in 1954 with the establishment of the

communication satellites and space launch.[12]

As Air Force space programs began to mature in the 1970s and early 1980s, their disjointed nature presented operational issues. The impending deployment of the

air defense had also lost its importance, and Aerospace Defense Command saw space operations as a means to preserve its existence. Strategic Air Command and Military Airlift Command, which served as the Air Force's lead on transportation, also argued they should have responsibility. In 1980, Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated as an Air Force major command (although preserved as a specified command within NORAD), with its air defense mission transferred to Tactical Air Command in 1979 and its space assets moved to Strategic Air Command in 1980.[12]

Calls for an independent space command grew within the 1980s, with some in Congress even calling for the Air Force to be reorganized as the U.S. Aerospace Force. On 1 September 1982, the Air Force established Space Command as a major command, creating the first operational space command within the United States Armed Forces.[12]

Unifying Space Forces under Air Force Space Command

Space divisions, wings, and groups

When Space Command was established, it was headquartered at

73d Space Surveillance Group
was activated under Air Force Space Command, centralizing its space surveillance capabilities. [12]

Unlike Strategic Air Command, Air Force Systems Command was reluctant to transfer over its space assets. The

Vandenberg Air Force Base to Air Force Space Command. On the same day, the 9th Space Division and Space Communications Division were activated to manage launch functions.[12]

The Gulf War, Space Commission, and Global War on Terrorism

Space air forces, centers, and wings
A space systems operator from the 2nd Space Operations Squadron operating the Global Positioning System in 2005.

Air Force Space Command provided significant support to coalition forces during the

Defense Meteorological Support Program.[12] Space forces proved so decisive that the Gulf War was coined the "first space war" by General Merrill McPeak and its status was elevated within the Air Force.[13]

In 1991, Air Force Space Command underwent a major reorganization, inactivating the 9th Space Division and Space Communications Division and replacing it with the

Global War on Terrorism.[14]

In 2009, the Air Force decided to consolidate its nuclear forces, split between Air Force Space Command's Twentieth Air Force missiles and

Air Force Warfare Center. In 2018, the cyber mission and Twenty-Fourth Air Force were transferred to Air Combat Command leaving Air Force Space Command with sole responsibility for space forces.[14]

Missile air forces, wings, and groups (1993–2009)
Cyber air forces, agencies, centers, and wings (2009–2018)

Redesignation as Space Operations Command and transfer to the Space Force

SpOC establishment ceremony.

When the

61st Air Base Group, were realigned to report directly to United States Space Force.[15][6][16] In June 2020, the Space Force announced its plan to establish Space Operations Command as the first of three field command, with Space Operations Command (formerly Fourteenth Air Force) at Vandenberg AFB to be renamed SpOC West.[17]

In July 2020, United States Space Force's wings and operations groups were renamed deltas and it assumed responsibility for space operations units previously part of

527th Aggressor Squadron, and 533rd Training Squadron were incorporated into Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional), pending the activation of Space Training and Readiness Command as a full field command.[18]

On 21 October 2020, United States Space Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command, officially transferring from a U.S. Air Force major command to a U.S. Space Force field command when Lieutenant General

Stephen N. Whiting assumed command.[6] In 2021, SpOC restructured its headquarters staff by dividing it into three deputy commanding general (DCG) positions, a deputy commanding general each for operations, support, and transformation. It also organized oversight of Space Deltas 2 to 9 under the deputy commanding general (operations) by creating five mission area teams (MAT): intelligence, battle management C3, componency, combat power, and information mobility.[19]

On 22 April 2021, the Space and Missile Systems Center was realigned from Space Operations Command to the U.S. Space Force. In May 2021, the

45th Space Wing redesignated as Space Launch Delta 45.[20] On 13 August 2021, it transferred its launch deltas to Space Systems Command as it activated and on 23 August 2021 Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) was inactivated and its squadrons transferred to Space Training and Readiness Command.[21][22]

Symbolism

Emblems of Space Operations Command and its predecessors
  • Space Operations Command (2020–present)
    Space Operations Command (2020–present)
  • United States Space Force (2020)
    United States Space Force (2020)
  • Air Force Space Command and Space Command (1982–2019)
    Air Force Space Command and Space Command (1982–2019)

Space Operations Command emblem and color

The large delta in the Space Operations Command emblem is derived from the legacy Air Force Space Command emblem, which also is found in the

cyber. The star field is the constellation Orion, representing the mythological Greek hunter Orion. Orion signifies that Space Operations Command will always be the predator, and never the prey. The stars that make up the constellation also pay respect to the past luminaries and leaders of military space who have built the foundation on which Space Operations Command stands.[5]

Platinum is Space Operations Command's distinguishing color and matches the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command seals. Platinum represents the strength of Guardians and Airmen, the rarity of its calling, and the nobility of its mission.[5]

Space Operations Command's emblem was unveiled on 21 October 2020 at

Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado with the resignation of United States Space Force, previously Air Force Space Command, as Space Operations Command.[5]

Air Force Space Command emblem and motto

The Space Badge, which inspired the design of the Space Command emblem.

The first commander of Air Force Space Command, General James V. Hartinger, suggested that the Air Force Space Command emblem be patterned after the Space Badge and the final emblem drew on it for most of its elements.[23]

The centrally dominant globe represents the earth as viewed from space, the earth being both the origin and control point for all space satellites. The lines of latitude and longitude emphasize the global nature of Air Force space operations. The emblem is provided its distinctive appearance by two symmetric ellipses representing the orbital paths traced by satellites in earth orbit; the satellites themselves being symbolically depicted as four point stars. The 30 degree orbital inclination and symmetrically opposed placement of the satellites signify the worldwide coverage provided by Air Force satellites in accomplishing the surveillance and communications missions. The slight tapering of the orbital ellipses represents the characteristic eastward motion. The centrally superimposed deltoid symbolizes both the Air Force upward thrust into space and the launch vehicles needed to place all satellites in orbit. The distinctive dark blue background shading, small globe, and stars symbolize the space environment.[23]

Air Force Space Command's motto, "Guardians of the High Frontier," was developed from the submissions of three individuals at Space Command and the United States Air Force Academy before being announced on 17 February 1983.[23] The motto would later inspire the title of "Guardian" for U.S. Space Force members.[24]

Structure

Name Space mission deltas
Space Delta 2 Space domain awareness and space battle management[25] Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Col Raj Agrawal[26]
Space Delta 3
Space electromagnetic warfare
 Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Col Nicole M. Petrucci
Space Delta 4
Missile warning
 Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Col Miguel A. Cruz
Space Delta 6 Cyberspace operations Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Col Christopher A. Kennedy
Space Delta 7
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
 Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Col Brett T. Swigert
Space Delta 8
Satellite communication and navigation warfare
 Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Col David A. Pheasant
Space Delta 9 Orbital warfare Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Col Mark C. Bigley
Space Delta 18 National Space Intelligence Center Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio Col Marqus Q. Randall
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Integrated Mission Delta (Provisional) Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Col Andrew S. Menschner
Space base deltas
Space Base Delta 1 Mission and medical support Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Col David G. Hanson
Space Base Delta 2 Mission and medical support Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Col Marcus D. Jackson

List of commanders

Main article:
Commander of Space Operations Command
General Thomas S. Moorman Jr. was the first space operations officer to serve as commander of Air Force Space Command and be appointed a four-star general. He was the only space officer to serve as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
No. Portrait Name Term
Took office Left office Duration
1
Stephen Whiting
Lieutenant General
Stephen Whiting
(born 1967)		21 October 20209 January 20243 years, 80 days
2
David N. Miller
Lieutenant General
David N. Miller
(born c. 1971)		9 January 2024Incumbent100 days

See also

U.S. Armed Forces forces commands

References

  1. ^ a b "Space Operations Command (USSF) Lineage". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. ^ "About Space Operations Command". www.spoc.spaceforce.mil.
  3. ^ "Space Force's operational commander describes history of space as a contested domain". Space Operations Command (SpOC).
  4. ^ "Space Operations Command Motto Reveal: Via Vincimus". DVIDS.
  5. ^ a b c d "Space Operations Command Emblem Reveal".
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Space Operations Command (USSF)".
  7. ^ "Dr. Brian T. Kehl". www.spoc.spaceforce.mil.
  8. ^ "BGen Kyle C. Paul". Space Operations Command. 16 June 2022.
  9. ^ "CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT CALEB M. LLOYD". Space Operations Command. 7 August 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ^ "About Space Operations Command".
  11. U.S. Space Force. Archived from the original
    on 25 May 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AUPress/Books/B_0063_SPIRES_BRADLEY_STURDEVANT_ECKERT_BEYOND_HORIZONS.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  13. ^ "GPS and the World's First "Space War"". Scientific American.
  14. ^ a b "AFSPC History". www.afspc.af.mil.
  15. ^ Chiles, Cody (27 December 2019). "14th Air Force Redesignated as Space Operations Command". Space Operations Command. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  16. ^ "SpOC Fact Sheet". Space Operations Command. Retrieved 22 October 2020. These initial actions provided immediate structure for the USSF but were not intended to reflect the end-state of the new branch of Service.
  17. ^ Kirby, Lynn (30 June 2020). "USSF field command structure reduces command layers, focuses on space warfighter needs". United States Space Force. Retrieved 22 October 2020. The staff and operations elements of USSF at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, which is also the former AFSPC, will become the headquarters SpOC. There is an existing unit at Vandenberg AFB, California, named Space Operations Command, which will be renamed upon activation of the field command SpOC.
  18. ^ United States Space Force, Public Affairs (24 June 2020). "Space Force begins transition into field organizational structure". United States Space Force. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  19. ^ "SpOC ReEngineering Explainer". DVIDS.
  20. ^ "Vandenberg AFB gets new U.S. Space Force name".
  21. ^ "USSF establishes 2nd Field Command, Guetlein assumes command". United States Space Force. 13 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Space Force activates Space Training and Readiness Command". United States Space Force. 23 August 2021.
  23. ^ a b c "Air Force Space Command (Archived) > About Us > AFSPC History > afspcemblem". www.afspc.af.mil.
  24. ^ "U.S. Space Force unveils name of space professionals".
  25. ^ https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/SpaceDelta2/
  26. ^ "Col. Raj Agrawal assumes command of Delta 2". Space Operations Command (SpOC). 23 June 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.

External links

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