Space Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The 5th Space Operations Squadron unfurled their colors during an activation ceremony on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, June 3.The ceremony signified the inactivation of Delta 9’s Detachment 1 and the activation of the 5th SOPS which oversees operations of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, an experimental program designed to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. Space Force.To begin the ceremony, Maj. Eric Wilson, Det. 1 commander, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his exceptional conduct as commander. Wilson highlighted the promising future of the 5th SOPS under the command of Lt. Col. Latasha Spear. ...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) --  Space Delta 12 welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, May 31.U.S. Space Force Col. Sacha Tomlinson succeeded U.S. Space Force Col. E. Lincoln Bonner during the ceremony, which was officiated by Space Training and Readiness Command commander, Maj. Gen. Tim Sejba.A 1992 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Tomlinson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1993, serving nearly six years as a biomedical equipment technician. She commissioned through Officer Training School and completed Undergraduate Space and Missile Training in 1999. Throughout her more than 30-year career, Tomlinson has served in a variety of positions, including assignments as a space sur...

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...