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The Integration of Artificial Intelligence Technologies

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence Technologies

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September 17, 2024
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Blogs, SFA Magazine
Colonel Nick Hague Sets a Bold Example as the First US Space Force Guardian to Launch into Space

Colonel Nick Hague Sets a Bold Example as the First US Space Force Guardian to Launch into Space

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April 26, 2024
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SFA Magazine
From the Andes to the Air Force and Beyond: The Story of Lina Rivero Cashin

From the Andes to the Air Force and Beyond: The Story of Lina Rivero Cashin

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March 25, 2024
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SFA Magazine
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What Is The Space Force?

Just as the Navy maintains freedom of the seas, the Space Force maintains freedom of space for U.S. activities, both governmental and commercial.

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SFA Magazine Fall 2024

Discover the future of launch and small satellites in the Fall 2024 issue of SFA Magazine! Read about Dr. Lois Wardell’s illustrious career, explore AI’s impact on military strategy, and get insights about small satellites from several industry experts.  Packed with exclusive interviews and visionary perspectives, it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the cutting-edge innovations shaping space exploration and defense.

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Colonel Christopher Kennedy is commander of Space Delta 6, headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. As commander, he is responsible for six squadrons and eight detachments/operating locations, across 13 geographically-separated locations, comprised of more than 1,000 active duty military, Department of Defense civilian and contractor personnel enabling command and control operations for 11 Combatant Commands. DEL 6 provides combat ready forces to operate and maintain the $11.2 billion Satellite Control Network and conduct defensive cyber operations for unique space mission networks. Provide global space access to enable spacecraft command and control, space launch, and orbital operations. Conduct passive and active DCO to enable the national space enterprise. Provide cross-cutting capabilities to Space Deltas. Operations are agile, intelligence-led, cyber-resilient, and driven by innovation, while postured to succeed in a Contested, Degraded, and Operationally-Limited environment. Col. Kennedy earned his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Tulane University and entered the Air Force in May of 2001. He completed Basic Communications Officer Training in February of 2002.
SWT with Col Kennedy
Colonel David G. Hanson, Commander, Space Delta 1, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. As commander, he leads a 3,600-member team providing Base Operating Support to more than 18,400 military, Department of Defense civilians, and contractor personnel serving at 23 operating locations worldwide. These personnel execute critical U.S. Space Force missile warning, space domain awareness, space control, position, navigation, timing, satellite communications, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and cyberspace missions. Col. Hanson received his commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Iowa State University. He has held various assignments in nuclear operations, satellite command and control, and higher education and staff assignments at NORAD USNORTHCOM, as well as Air Force Space Command. Col Hanson was a competitor and assistant coach on the United States Armed Forces Military Pentathlon Team, competing in Europe against other NATO nations. The team competes in military-related events, including rifle and pistol marksmanship, land and water obstacle courses, advanced land navigation, and combat first aid.
SWT with Col Hanson, Commander, Space Delta 1
SWT with Kristin Burke CASI
SFA Discussion with Matt Domo, Co-Founder of AWS and CEO of Fifth Vantage.
Inaugural Exercise RED SKIES elevates USSF readiness https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3630392/inaugural-exercise-red-skies-elevates-ussf-readiness/ Published Jan. 3, 2024 Space Training and Readiness Command Public Affairs COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- Exercise RED SKIES 24 achieved success during its inaugural execution from Dec. 11-15. The exercise represents the U.S. Space Force's latest service exercise, emphasizing the orbital warfare, or OW, discipline, which applies orbital dynamics and satellite flight to Space Force operations. Hosted by the Space Training and Readiness Command, or STARCOM, through the 392nd Combat Training Squadron, or CTS, the OW-focused exercise provided training for Guardians from Space Operations Command, or SpOC. The overarching objective of RED SKIES aims to equip Guardians with the skills necessary to respond to potential attacks on U.S. satellite systems. U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Todd Moore, STARCOM deputy commander, described RED SKIES as the first advanced training event enabling Guardians to employ operationally-representative tactics in a dynamic, threat-representative orbital domain, securing the nation's interests in space. “I can confidently say that this ‘first-ever’ will become a mainstay in how SpOC and STARCOM partner to ensure we achieve the true goals and objectives of advanced training,” Moore said. “There is a lot more to come as we iterate on a capability like this and will drive to include every SpOC Delta that wants to prove they are ready.” RED SKIES initially took the form of a simulation-based exercise, with plans to transition to live on-orbit operations via satellites in the future, according to U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Scott Nakatani, 392nd CTS commander. “Exercise RED SKIES is breaking ground for the U.S. Space Force, creating the environment to practice the skills and planning necessary to protect and defend the space domain,” Nakatani said. “RED SKIES will grow from here, expanding to include more units under realistic command-and-control scenarios with an emphasis on executing coordinated, integrated space sorites. We are building service orbital warfare experience in simulation with an eye on transitioning RED SKIES into the live-fly on-orbit exercise we need as a service.” The first RED SKIES exercise centered on tactical command and control of multiple satellites, with Guardian operators engaging aggressors to achieve layered space effects. This experience led to the identification of requirements for enhancing the realism of orbital warfare simulations and refining integrated sortie planning processes. These lessons will be incorporated into future RED SKIES exercises and shared across U.S. Space Force service exercises, marking a significant advancement for the U.S. Space Force, Nakatani said. U.S. Space Force Capt. DeShawna Moore, 392nd CTS lead exercise planner, noted the exercise's success and highlighted the integration among multiple deltas to tackle challenging on-orbit scenarios. “As the lead planner and exercise director for RED SKIES, the exercise was extremely successful,” Moore said. “Integration among multiple deltas to plan through and execute some of the toughest on-orbit problems for layered effects accomplished the exercise’s primary objective. We will take the lessons to make the next execution better.” The initiation of on-orbit exercises like RED SKIES underscores the evolving nature of military space operations. As the space domain continues to gain importance for national security, these exercises demonstrate the commitment to developing combat-ready forces capable of operating effectively in space. Moore emphasized the significance of these exercises, stating, “Realistic simulation like this allows us to refine tactical skills that drive us towards tactically relevant thinking … more towards what it means to ensure space superiority – as U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman noted in C-Note #14, we are a service and not a ‘combat support agency’ because when directed, the U.S. Space Force may need to control our domain by force.” “This SKIES event is also helping us define clearer requirements in the future to ensure that the space industry develops the training tools to compete and prevail in our domain,” Moore added. “Competition and combat in space is new and current space capabilities are vulnerable. We need to be equipped and ready for any conflict in, from, or through space. During RED SKIES, these Guardians achieved more for OW readiness than anything else we’ve done to date as a combined STARCOM/SPOC team.”
SWT on RED SKIES with Brig. Gen. Todd Moore, Deputy Commander, STARCOM & Lt Col Nakatani, 392 CTS/CC
Colonel Mark C. Bigley is the Commander of Space Delta 9, headquartered at Schriever SFB, Colorado. As the Commander, he oversees assigned and attached forces conducting protect and defend operations for the U.S. Space Force. Delta 9’s missions include preparing, presenting, and projecting these forces to provide national decision authorities with response options to deter, and when necessary, defeat orbital threats. Additionally, Delta 9 supports Space Domain Awareness by conducting battlespace characterization operations and on-orbit experimentation and technology demonstrations. Colonel Bigley earned his commission in 2002 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Space Delta 9, a component of the U.S. Space Force, was established and activated July 24, 2020. Delta 9 consists of three active duty squadrons headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado: 1st and 3rd Space Operations Squadrons, 9th Combat Training Squadron, and one operational Detachment. Mission The mission of Delta 9 is to prepare, present, and project assigned and attached forces for the purpose of conducting protect and defend operations and providing national decision authorities with response options to deter and, when necessary, defeat orbital threats. Additionally, Delta 9 supports Space Domain Awareness by conducting space-based battlespace characterization operations and also conducts on-orbit experimentation and technology demonstrations for the U.S. Space Force. Organization The 1st Space Operations Squadron conducts space-based battlespace characterization operations in support of Space Domain Awareness. 1 SOPS operates the Operationally Responsive Space 5, and Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program in support of CDRUSSPACECOM requirements. The 3rd Space Operations Squadron conducts on-orbit operations in support of CDRUSSPACECOM requirements. The 9th Combat Training Squadron ensures the combat readiness of Delta 9 by building, developing, and equipping space professionals for orbital warfare. The squadron is responsible for training, intelligence, weapons and tactics, and other operational support necessary to enable Delta 9 to conduct its on-orbit protect and defend mission across the spectrum of conflict. Delta 9 Detachment 1 oversees operations of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, an experimental program designed to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. Space Force. History Space Delta 9 was previously designated as the 750th Operations Group, which was established June 19, 2020. The group was re-designated Space Delta 9 on July 24, 2020 as part of the U.S. Space Force’s structure change. Delta 9 has no heraldry associated with former Air Force units. (Current as of February 2024)
SWT with Col Bigley, Commander, Delta 9
Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant is Commander, Space Systems Command, headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. He is responsible for more than 15,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel worldwide and an annual budget of $15.6 billion, while managing the research, design, development, acquisition, launch, and sustainment of satellites and the associated command and control systems. His extensive portfolio includes military satellite communication, missile warning, navigation and timing, space-based weather, space launch and test ranges, space superiority, responsive space and other emerging evolutionary space programs. Prior to Space Systems Command, Lt. Gen. Garrant served as the Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, and had the overall responsibility for the strategies, requirements, and budget of the United States Space Force. Lt. Gen. Garrant received his commission from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Maryland in 1991. During his career, he has served in a variety of acquisition positions including Systems Engineer, Program Manager, Program Element Monitor, Squadron Commander, Senior Materiel Leader, Deputy Program Executive Officer and Program Executive.
SWT with Lt Gen Garrant, Commander, Space Systems Command
Chief Master Sergeant Ronald E. Lerch is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Intelligence Directorate, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, CA. Chief Lerch is the top enlisted advisor to the Director for all issues affecting personnel readiness and welfare, and for talent management of assigned forces. He oversees intelligence efforts aimed at driving Space Force acquisition programs and instilling a threat-centric culture for over 19,000 military and civilian members.
SWT with CMSgt Ron Lerch, Senior Enlisted Leader, Space Systems Command Intelligence Directorate
Dive into the heart of space workforce development with insights from top leaders, including USSF senior leaders, CEOs, SFA board members, and executives from the Space Development Agency and Global Space University. This panel discussion, featuring key figures like Maj Gen Ed Vaughn, Maj Gen Shawn Bratton, Dr. Andy Aldrin, Chief Jason Childers, Damon Feldman, and Danielle Storan, delves into the Space Force's approach to talent management, diversity, and collaboration with academia and industry. Explore the challenges and strategies in building a dynamic and inclusive future for space operations, as discussed in a comprehensive session that brings together voices from across the space sector. Whether you're interested in the future of space exploration, workforce development, or the integration of military and civilian careers in space operations, this discussion offers valuable perspectives on driving forward the mission of the Space Force.
Shaping the Future of Space Force: Insights from Industry and Academia Leaders
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