Space Force

A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen supported by Space Force Guardians launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with one re-entry vehicle June 4 at 12:56 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective to deter 21st century threats and reassure our allies. Such tests have occurred over 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events.  “Our Strikers and our nuclear mission are the bedrock of our nation’s defense and international security,” said Gen. Thomas A. Bus...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AFNS) --  A pilot program developed by Space Systems Command is utilizing commercial-data analytics powered by commercially and publicly available information to provide timely surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking products to combatant commands. Known as the Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking Program, or TacSRT, the pilot program is a U.S. Space Force chief of space operations initiative to rapidly deliver commercial data analytics Operational Planning Products, or OPPs, through the USSF field components to meet unified combatant command needs.TacSRT is designed to directly implement the U.S. Space Force Commercial Space Strategy by taking advantage of speed, innovation and capabilities offered by the commercial...

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) --  Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, participated in the Australian Space Summit at the International Convention Center in Sydney, Australia, May 27-28.The Australian Space Summit aimed to provide presentation to critical funding issues and unveil fresh opportunities for international collaboration with the goal of growing Australia’s space sector.During the two-day event that explored space collaboration and competition in the Pacific, Mastalir delivered a keynote address and participated in panels which discussed space capabilities and the U.S.-Australian alliance in the Indo-Pacific.Mastalir opened his keynote address by highlighting the importance and growth of spac...

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  A Guardian became the first member of the U.S. Space Force to graduate the Army’s Basic Leadership Course at Fort Carson.Sgt. Hunter Meyers, 75th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of unit operations, graduated from the Army’s BLC, March 22. This achievement not only marks an achievement for the Guardian, but further demonstrates the growing collaboration between services and their commitment to grow the next generation of noncommissioned officers.Hailing from Center Hall, Pennsylvania, Meyers enlisted in the military in 2016 where he became an image analyst for the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, where he honed his...

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The Space Force has minted its first-ever graduates of the service’s debut of independent officer Intermediate Level Education and Senior Level Education programs.“This is a major accomplishment for not only those graduating today, but for our Space Force, and for [Space Training and Readiness Command],” said Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, deputy chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements, to graduates of the Schriever Space Scholars and West Space Scholars programs, May 21. “One of the clear tasks for STARCOM during the early days of the Space Force was to create an independent Professional Military Education program. You can go back to the initial planning guidance when the Space Force was established and see...