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 warrior leaders across our formations are postured and ready for employment.”
The SPAFORGEN model allows the service to balance presenting forces in support of global combatant command mission requirements with maintaining the highest possible level of Guardians’ overall readiness; implementation began October 2022.
“Solidifying how the Space Force presents forces is an important way we are optimizing for great power competition,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. “Form must follow function. Our force presentation must reflect that every mission we perform requires expertise in intelligence, cyberspace operations, space system operations, engineering and sustainment.”
To reflect the Space Force requirement of presenting integrated expertise, the service has designated combat formations as its unit of action. There are two types of combat formations that will be presented to the Joint Force: combat squadrons that will execute employed-in-place activities, and combat detachments that will conduct deployable activities.
Unlike pre-existing force generation processes built around physically deployable forces, space forces are primarily employed in-place, driving the need for a unique force generation model. This model has three phases—Prepare, Ready, and Commit—establishing a predictable, standardized battle rhythm that combat squadrons or detachments rotate through.
“Day-to-day space operations, while critical, do not routinely offer Guardians the opportunity to practice for the challenges they will face in a combat environment,” Saltzman said. “Rotating force elements through Prepare, Ready, and Commit phases creates the opportunity to deliberately build the high-end readiness we need.”
During the Prepare phase, Guardians build expertise in their assigned roles through training, positional upgrades and professional military education. This time also allows forces to focus on resiliency and includes planned leave.
In the Ready phase, Guardians in force elements conduct advanced training, small and large force employment exercises, squadron-level validations and other preparations for operations.
Finally, Guardians then rotate into the Commit phase, during which force elements are fully resourced, validated, and ready to conduct combat operations. They are then allocated or assigned to an operational mission in support of combatant commanders.
As a rotational model, SPAFORGEN enables high-end readiness as it allows space forces to conduct daily operations while still having capacity to train for executing missions in the highly congested and contested space domain characterized by great power competition.
source: www.spaceforce.mil