Space Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  The Space Force released its Fiscal Year 2024 Selective Retention Bonus list, effective July 22.The FY24 SRB program consists of seven Space Force specialty codes. None were removed from last year.The SRB program serves as a retention tool, targeting experienced enlisted personnel in critical career fields, particularly those with lower manning or retention rates. Additionally, specialties involving extensive initial skills training and stringent qualification requirements are considered. An update to policy now enables the maximum bonus allowable per zone to be up to $180,000, an increase of $80,000 over previous years, with a career cap set at $360,000.If a Guardian’s SFSC is included in the FY24 list, they are eligible for ...

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AFNS) --  Military service members are expected to be fit – it’s all a part of making sure a fighting force is ready for duty and the U.S. Space Force is no exception.Guardians may spend more time tracking satellites and space debris and staying alert for hostile missiles than engaging in hand-to-hand combat, but that doesn’t mean they can slack off when it comes to physical training. As the newest military service, the U.S. Space Force is taking a more holistic health approach to fitness standards.“Regular exercise isn't just about building physical strength; it's about optimizing our potential,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jacqueline Sauvé, Space Systems Command senior enlisted leader. “Research consistently affirms that exercise isn'...

BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  Every year, monarch butterflies make a multi-generational migration across North America to overwintering sites in Mexico and California, with many passing through Colorado along the way. Buckley Space Force Base is one of many locations across the Department of Defense where wildlife biologists are working to monitor and restore habitats for monarchs to help facilitate this migration.Monarch populations have declined by over 90% in recent years due to multiple threats including habitat loss. Currently, the monarch is a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act."Monarch butterflies are an important indicator species for the health of our environment," said Veronica Reed, Buckley’s U.S. Fis...

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --  Col. John Patrick accepted command of U.S. Space Forces Korea from Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, July 12.The event marks the first official change of command for the unit, which was activated as a USSF field component under U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific and assigned to the U.S. Forces Korea sub-unified command in December 2022.Patrick took command of SPACEFOR-KOR from his previous assignment at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he established NATO’s Combined Force Space Component Command and the NATO Space Centre. He is a career space operations officer, with command experience at the squadron level and joint experience in both Germany and Belgium.Brig. Gen. Anthon...

LONDON (AFNS) As delivered by CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman on July 17, 2024 --    CSO Gen. Chance Saltzman: Wow, what a distinguished group again! I enjoyed last year so much I thought I’d come back, and the weather was better. So, thanks for all of that.Thanks, Susannah, for that kind introduction, and thanks to everyone here at GASCC that helped make this important conversation possible.It’s going to be my honor later to share the stage with Generals Novak and Tedman. So, thanks for indulging me with your patience while I try to set the stage for this important conversation.And to my fellow air and space chiefs as well as the academic and industry leaders gathered today, thank you for being here, and I look forward to sharing ideas on det...