JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) — The U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific is celebrating its second birthday by reflecting on the significant strides made in strengthening the U.S. military’s space operations and enhancing partnerships in the region.
Over the past two years, the first U.S. space service component has tripled in size, established a 24/7 space watch cell, executed three Tier 1 Combatant Command exercises, signed the service’s first component support plan, and has been pivotal in expediting the fielding of space capabilities in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility.
Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, emphasized the importance of continued development to meet increasing demands.
“We’re growing the component to keep pace with the rapidly increasing security threat,” Mastalir said. “Joint Force planners know that if you want to put together a synchronized, all-domain operational plan, you’d be well-advised to have a Guardian on the team.”
The command has also showcased its capability to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief by leveraging commercial space assets to provide timely, critical imagery to both local and international response teams. These efforts were instrumental in helping rescue efforts after an earthquake in Japan, landslides in Papua New Guinea, tropical storms in the Philippines and wildfires in Hawaii.
Expanding collaboration with international allies and partners has been one of SPACEFOR-INDOPAC’s most significant accomplishments. The command has deepened space cooperation between the U.S. and 17 countries, spearheading over 45 key leader engagements, including discussions with 21 foreign military chiefs.
“Guardians have answered the nation’s call,” Mastalir remarked, “just as generations of Americans before us answered the call to protect and serve.”
As the space domain becomes increasingly congested and contested, the capabilities provided by the U.S. Space Force are foundational to the Joint Force. U.S. Space Force components provide combatant commanders organic space planning and employment expertise, with capabilities specifically designed to break adversary kill chains and protect the Joint Force from space-enabled attack. Moreover, they provide a subordinate space commander singularly focused on the AOR’s warfighting priorities and requirements.
SPACEFOR-INDOPAC activated U.S. Space Forces – Korea as a subordinate component in December 2022 and is planning the activation of U.S. Space Forces – Japan this December, further solidifying the U.S. Space Force’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
source: www.spaceforce.mil