Space Operations Command

Space Operations Command
Unit name	Space Operations Command
Dates	2020–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Space Force
Type	Field command
Role	Space operations
Command structure	United States Space Force
Garrison	Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Current commander	Lieutenant General David N. Miller Jr.
Notable commanders	General Stephen N. Whiting

Space Operations Command. It is the primary Field command of the United States Space Force, responsible for organizing, training, and equipping combat-ready forces for operational combatant commanders worldwide. Established in 2020, it serves as the USSF's service component to the United States Space Command and provides space capabilities to the joint force. Its headquarters is located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado.

History

The command's lineage traces to the activation of the Air Force Space Command in 1982, which consolidated the United States Air Force's space assets. Following the establishment of the United States Space Force in December 2019, Air Force Space Command was redesignated as the U.S. Space Force's initial field command on 21 October 2020. This reorganization was a key part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 and was formally announced by the Chief of Space Operations, General John W. Raymond. The command absorbed the space-focused missions and personnel previously under Air Force Space Command, including those from the former Fourteenth Air Force and Twenty-Fourth Air Force.

Organization

The command is organized under a staff structure at Peterson Space Force Base, overseeing several subordinate deltas and units. It serves as the United States Space Force service component to the United States Space Command, providing forces to that combatant command. Key subordinate formations include Space Operations Command West at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Space Operations Command East at Peterson Space Force Base, which provide operational command and control. The command also maintains close relationships with the National Reconnaissance Office and the Missile Defense Agency.

Missions and responsibilities

Its core mission is to deliver resilient and defendable space domain awareness and combat power for the Joint force. This includes operating and defending critical constellations like the Global Positioning System, Space-Based Infrared System, and Milstar satellites. The command conducts satellite communications, missile warning, and nuclear detonation detection operations for the Department of Defense and national leadership. It is also responsible for orbital warfare, including space control and battle management to ensure freedom of navigation in the space domain.

Major units

Primary operational units are organized into deltas. Key units include Space Delta 2 for space domain awareness, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base. Space Delta 3 for space electromagnetic warfare operates from Peterson Space Force Base. Space Delta 4 provides missile warning from Buckley Space Force Base. Space Delta 6 conducts cyberspace operations at Schriever Space Force Base. Space Delta 7 for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance is based at Peterson Space Force Base. Space Delta 8 manages the Global Positioning System from Schriever Space Force Base. Space Delta 9 for orbital warfare is headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base.

Equipment and capabilities

The command operates a vast network of ground-based radars like the Space Fence on Kwajalein Atoll and the AN/FPS-85 radar at Eglin Air Force Base. It controls satellite constellations including the Next-Generation OPIR and the Defense Support Program. For launch operations, it utilizes ranges at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Vandenberg Space Force Base. Key command and control systems include the Satellite Control Network and the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Space Force Base. It also leverages systems from the National Reconnaissance Office and partnerships with allied nations.

Leadership

The commander is typically a lieutenant general who also serves as the Joint Force Space Component Commander for United States Space Command. The inaugural commander was General Stephen N. Whiting. The current commander is Lieutenant General David N. Miller Jr., who previously served as the deputy commander of United States Space Command. The command's senior enlisted leader is Chief Master Sergeant Jacob C. Simmons. Leadership is supported by a vice commander and a chief of staff at Peterson Space Force Base.

Category:United States Space Force Category:Military units and formations established in 2020 Category:Space commands