Space Force

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AFNS) --  In partnership with NASA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Space Force GPS III Program Office has delivered two laser retroflector arrays to Lockheed Martin. On May 6, the LRAs were delivered under a directed program to rapidly integrate hosted payloads on GPS satellites ahead of launch call up. The LRAs will be installed onto two GPS III satellites, SV9 and SV10, in preparation for a 2025 launch.The addition of the LRA hosted payload onto GPS satellites marks an expansion of NASA’s Space Geodesy Program space instrument network. The GPS III LRAs will allow NASA to make precise range measurements to the sub-centimeter level using the Satellite Laser Ranging technique, enabling accurate determination...

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --  In a dual ceremony, Space Delta 18—the National Space Intelligence Center—changed commanders and was redesignated as a field operating agency of the U.S. Space Force during a ceremony June 28, 2024.Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander, presided over the ceremony, recognizing the achievements of the unit’s first commander, Col. Marqus Randall, who assumed the position when NSIC first stood up in June 2022. “Marqus, your leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Miller said. “Starting with a team of just 24, you've masterfully built it to over 450, to really ta...

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The U.S. Space Force is continuing implementation of its Space Force Generation (SPAFORGEN) model across the force, beginning its first synchronized Commit phase cycle July 1 after the successful completion of the Prepare and Ready phases.The start of this phase marks a major milestone in the Space Force’s efforts to reoptimize for great power competition.“As the lead Field Command for executing SPAFORGEN, we are focused on generating, presenting, sustaining and improving combat-ready space forces for Service and Combatant Command missions,” said Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander. “Aligning the timing of these phases for all units across our command helps us ensure combat-credible force elements and wa...

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Jr., commander of Space Operations Command, Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna and Chief Master Sgt. Caleb Lloyd, SpOC senior enlisted leader, visited Buckley Space Force Base July 3, to engage with Space Delta 4 personnel and gain a comprehensive understanding of their mission operations. The visit began with an office call at DEL 4 headquarters, where Miller received an overview of DEL 4’s operational landscape. He also toured the 3rd Satellite Communications Squadron antenna site, learning about their crucial role in ...

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced Patrick Space Force Base as the Space Force recipient of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence July 1.The award recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the teams of people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations, selecting one base from each military service, plus the Defense Logistics Agency each year.This year’s Space Force Installation Excellence selection board consisted of a cross functional team from the Headquarters United States Space Force staff.The board recognized the Guardians and mission partners of Patrick SFB for providing outstanding mission support through innovation and programs dedicated to mission readin...