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 take to charge of what we need in space.”
Miller thanked the outgoing commander for his dedication and setting a strong foundation for the unit’s next commander, Col. Marcus Starks.
As he took command, Starks emphasized his excitement to further the unit’s efforts in support of service and intelligence community requirements.
“I’m thrilled to be here today, eager to tackle challenges brimming with opportunity,” Starks said. “I’m looking forward to serving the intelligence community and our local communities, and forging partnerships that will innovate problem solving and bring about the success we envision.”
As a field operating agency, NSIC reports directly to Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, who maintains oversight of all space intelligence activities for the service.
Realignment as a FOA best postures the organization to support both current and future requirements for detailed, long-term intelligence analysis in support of operations, acquisitions, future concept development and service-wide force design needs. It also aligns the organizations in a similar manner to the other military services, which has proven effective in adjudicating both service and broader national intelligence production needs.
“Threats in space and threats to space continue to grow, diversify, and mature. The demand for space-related intelligence must be met to ensure success of our nation’s multi-domain joint military force. U.S. strength in military space underpins integrated deterrence, fuels joint force power projection and delivers positive national security outcomes,” Gagnon said. “This realignment as a field operating agency postures NSIC for increased effectiveness both inside the service and with our national intelligence community partners.”
The U.S. Space Force is the 18th member of the intelligence community, and NSIC supports the Space Force’s ability to fulfill its service responsibilities providing foundational scientific and technical intelligence for the space domain.
The mission of NSIC is to deliver unparalleled technical expertise and game-changing intelligence—empowering national leaders, joint force warfighters, and acquisition professionals to outwit, out-reach and win in the space domain.
source: www.spaceforce.mil