Structure of the United States Space Force

The structure of the United States Space Force refers to the different types of organizational units in the service: the Space Staff, the field commands, and the space deltas.

Organization of the United States Space Force within the Department of Defense.

The Space Force is organized as one of two coequal military service branches within the Department of the Air Force, the other being the United States Air Force. Both services are overseen by the Secretary of the Air Force, who has overall responsibility for organizing, training, and equipping the Air Force and Space Force.[1]

The military head of the Space Force is the chief of space operations (CSO), who is an officer in the grade of general.

History

On 20 December 2019, Air Force Space Command's principal components were 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and the Space and Missile Systems Center. At the same time as the creation of the Space Force 14th Air Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command.[2]

Space Staff

Space Staff Badge

The Space Staff is the headquarters of the U.S. Space Force. Like the U.S. Air Force's Air Staff that is under the Department of the Air Force, it is overseen by the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. It is responsible for developing doctrine, guidance, and plans in performing the Space Force's functions, cooperating with the Air Staff on support issues. It is composed of the military service's most senior leaders: the chief of space operations, the vice chief of space operations, and the chief master sergeant of the Space Force. Like the other services, there is a director of staff who oversees the synchronization of policies and plans of the headquarters staff and three deputy chiefs of space operations.[3] The Space Staff was designed to be lean. Compared to the Air Force's nine headquarters directorates, the Space Force merged nine functional areas into four directorates.[3] Additionally, each of the four deputy chiefs of space operations has unofficial positional titles akin to that of corporate organizations: chief human capital officer, chief operations officer, chief technology and innovation officer, and chief strategy and resourcing officer. The chief human capital officer and chief technology and innovation officer positions are held by senior civilian officials at the SES-3 level, while both the chief operations officer and chief strategy and resourcing officer positions are filled by two lieutenant generals.[4]

Field organization

The Space Force field organization consist of three different echelons of command: field commands, deltas, and squadrons.[8]

Field command

Field commands align with specific mission focuses and are led by officers in the grade of lieutenant general or major general, comparable to the United States Air Force's major command. The Space Force's three field commands will be Space Operations Command (SpOC), Space Systems Command (SSC), and Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM).

Field Command Headquarters Current commander
Space Operations Command (SpOC)Peterson Space Force Base, ColoradoLt Gen Stephen Whiting
Space Systems Command (SSC)Los Angeles Air Force Base, CaliforniaLt Gen Michael Guetlein
Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM)Peterson Space Force Base, ColoradoMaj Gen Shawn Bratton, USAF

Space Operations Command

Hartinger Building, SpOC headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

The Space Operations Command (SpOC) will be the primary force provider of space forces and capabilities. It is responsible for the organization, training, equipping, command and control, and employment of space forces to support operational plans and missions for U.S. combatant commanders. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.[9]

Established on 21 October 2020, SpOC was the first field command activated. It was established by the redesignation of the headquarters of the former Air Force Space Command to Space Operations Command. It was composed of the 10 deltas and two garrisons activated on 24 July 2020. This included the Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) which served as the interim unit for space training and education until the August 2021 stand-up of a full field command. SpOC also maintained command of the two launch wings, which were later redesignated as launch deltas in 2021, previously under the Air Force Space Command until the establishment of the Space Systems Command.[10]

The 14th Air Force in Vandenberg Space Force Base, California that was temporarily redesignated Space Operations Command upon the creation of the Space Force was inactivated. A new unit, Space Operations Command West (SpOC West), was activated to serve as headquarters of the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC), a subordinate command of the United States Space Command. The SpOC West commander also served as the commander of CFSCC and as the deputy commander of SpOC.

Space Systems Command

Planned organizational structure of the Space Systems Command.

The Space Systems Command (SSC) is becoming responsible for developing, acquiring, and fielding space systems, as well as launch, developmental testing, on-orbit checkout, and sustainment and maintenance of space systems. It also runs Space Force science and technology activities.

The Space Force on 8 April 2021 announced the planned structure of the SSC. Led by a lieutenant general, SSC was to be formed by redesignating the Space and Missile Systems Center, Commercial Satellite Communications Office, and other space systems programs offices transferred into the Space Force, being stood up in summer 2021. On July 29, Michael Guetlein was confirmed as its first commander by the United States Senate.[11][12] The ceremony installing him in command of the new SSC was held August 13, 2021.[13]

Under the new structure, the two launch deltas previously under SpOC were reassigned to SSC under the oversight of the SSC deputy commander. The commander of the Space Launch Delta 45 will take on additional duties as the field command's director of operations.[11]

Space Training and Readiness Command

STARCOM emblem

The Space Training and Readiness Command was planned to train and educate space professionals, and develop combat-ready space forces. Initially, before the activation of the command, a Space Training and Readiness Delta was established in July 2020 at Peterson SFB.[8] STARCOM was activated on 23 August 2021, led by a major general.[14] Five subordinate deltas then began being established: one each for training, doctrine and lessons learned, range and aggressor, test and evaluation, and education.[15]

Delta

Deltas are organized around a specific function, such as operations, installation support, and training, and are led by an officer in the grade of colonel. Below deltas are squadrons, which are focused on specific tactics and are led by an officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel.[8] The first 11 deltas in the Space Force were initially assigned to the Space Operations Command. Among those 11, two are realigned under the Space Systems Command, and the Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) has become a separate field command.

Delta Headquarters Current commander
Space Operations Command
Space Delta 2 – Space Domain Awareness (DEL 2)Peterson Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Marc A. Brock
Space Delta 3 – Space Electronic Warfare (DEL 3)Peterson Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Christopher A. Fernengel
Space Delta 4 – Missile Warning (DEL 4)Buckley Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Miguel A. Cruz
Space Delta 5 – Command and Control (DEL 5)Vandenberg Space Force Base, CaliforniaCol Monique C. DeLauter
Space Delta 6 – Cyberspace Operations (DEL 6)Schriever Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Roy V. Rockwell
Space Delta 7 – Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (DEL 7)Peterson Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Chandler P. Atwood
Space Delta 8 – Satellite Communication and Navigation Warfare (DEL 8)Schriever Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Matthew E. Holston
Space Delta 9 – Orbital Warfare (DEL 9)Schriever Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Casey M. Beard
Space Systems Command
Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD 30)Vandenberg Space Force Base, CaliforniaCol Robert A. Long
Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45)Patrick Space Force Base, FloridaBrig Gen Stephen G. Purdy
Space Training and Readiness Command
Space Delta 1 – Training (DEL 1)Vandenberg Space Force Base, CaliforniaCol Jason N. Schramm
Space Delta 10 – Doctrine and Wargaming (DEL 10)United States Air Force Academy, ColoradoCol Jack D. Fulmer II
Space Delta 11 – Range and Aggressor (DEL 11)Schriever Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Kyle J. Pumroy
Space Delta 12 – Test and Evaluation (DEL 12)Schriever Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Peter J. Flores
Space Delta 13 – Education (DEL 13)Maxwell Air Force Base, AlabamaCol Niki J. Lindhorst

Garrison

Garrisons are installation commands that oversee mission support like the U.S Air Force's air base wings. There are currently three garrisons in the Space Force.

Delta Headquarters Current commander
Space Operations Command
Peterson-Schriever Garrison (P-S GAR)Peterson Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Zachary S. Warakomski
Buckley Garrison (B GAR)Buckley Space Force Base, ColoradoCol Marcus L. Jackson
Space Systems Command
Los Angeles Garrison (LA GAR)Los Angeles Air Force Base, CaliforniaCol Becky Beers

Squadron

Squadron Headquarters
Space Delta 1
1st Delta Operations Squadron (1 DOS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
319th Combat Training Squadron (319 CTS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
328th Weapons Squadron (328 WPS)Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
392nd Combat Training Squadron (392 CTS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
533rd Training Squadron (533 TRS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Space Delta 2
21st Operations Support Squadron (21 OSS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
18th Space Defense Squadron (18 SDS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
19th Space Defense Squadron (19 SDS)Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Virginia
20th Space Surveillance Squadron (20 SPSS)Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Space Delta 3
3rd Combat Training Squadron (3 CTS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
4th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (4 EWS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (5 EWS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
16th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron (16 EWS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Space Delta 4
2nd Space Warning Squadron (2 SWS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
3rd Satellite Communications Squadron (3 SCS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
6th Space Warning Squadron (6 SWS)Cape Cod Space Force Station, Massachusetts
7th Space Warning Squadron (7 SWS)Beale Air Force Base, California
10th Space Warning Squadron (10 SWS)Cavalier Space Force Station, North Dakota
11th Space Warning Squadron (11 SWS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
12th Space Warning Squadron (12 SWS)Thule Air Base, Greenland
13th Space Warning Squadron (13 SWS)Clear Space Force Station, Alaska
Space Delta 5
614th Combat Training Squadron (614 CTS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Space Delta 6
21st Space Operations Squadron (21 SOPS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
22nd Space Operations Squadron (22 SOPS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
23rd Space Operations Squadron (23 SOPS)New Boston Space Force Station, New Hampshire
61st Cyber Squadron (61 CYS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
62nd Cyber Squadron (62 CYS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
65th Cyber Squadron (65 CYS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Space Delta 7
71st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron (71 ISRS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
72nd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron (72 ISRS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
73rd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Squadron (73 ISRS)Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Space Delta 8
8th Combat Training Squadron (8 CTS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
4th Space Operations Squadron (4 SOPS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Space Delta 9
9th Combat Training Squadron (9 CTS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
1st Space Operations Squadron (1 SOPS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
3rd Space Operations Squadron (3 SOPS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Detachment 1 (DET 1) Schreiver Space Force Base, Colorado
Space Delta 10
10th Delta Operations Squadron (10 DOS)United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
10th Doctrine and Tactics Squadron (10 DTS)United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
10th Wargaming Squadron (10 WGS)United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
Space Delta 11
11th Delta Operations Squadron (11 DOS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
25th Space Range Squadron (25 SRS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
527th Space Aggressor Squadron (527 SAS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Space Delta 12
12th Delta Operations Squadron (12 DOS)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
1st Test and Evaluation Squadron (1 TES)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
3rd Test and Evaluation Squadron (3 TES)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
4th Test and Evaluation Squadron (4 TES)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
17th Test and Evaluation Squadron (17 TES)Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado
Space Delta 13
13th Delta Operations Squadron (13 DOS)Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
National Security Space Institute (NSSI)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Forrest L. Vosler Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Vossler NCOA)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
Space Launch Delta 30
2nd Range Operations Squadron (2 ROPS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
2nd Space Launch Squadron (2 SLS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Operations Support Squadron (30 OSS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Space Communications Squadron (30 SCS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Civil Engineer Squadron (30 CES)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Contracting Squadron (30 CONS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Force Support Squadron (30 FSS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Logistics Readiness Squadron (30 LRS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Security Forces Squadron (30 SFS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Healthcare Operations Squadron (30 HCOS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (30 OMRS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
30th Comptroller Squadron (30 CPTS)Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Space Launch Delta 45
1st Range Operations Squadron (1 ROPS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
5th Space Launch Squadron (5 SLS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Range Squadron (5 RANS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Space Communications Squadron (45 SCS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Weather Squadron (45 WS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Civil Engineer Squadron (4 CES)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Contracting Squadron (45 CONS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Force Support Squadron (45 FSS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Logistics Readiness Squadron (45 LRS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Security Forces Squadron (45 SFS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Healthcare Operations Squadron (45 HCONS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (45 OMRS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
45th Comptroller Squadron (45 CPTS)Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
Peterson-Schriever Garrison
21st Civil Engineer Squadron (21 CES)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
21st Communications Squadron (21 CS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
21st Contracting Squadron (21 CONS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
21st Force Support Squadron (21 FSS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
21st Logistics Readiness Squadron (21 LRS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
21st Security Forces Squadron (21 SFS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
50th Civil Engineer Squadron (50 CES)Peterson Space Force Base, Colo
50th Contracting Squadron (50 CONS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
50th Force Support Squadron (50 FSS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
50th Security Forces Squadron (50 SFS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
50th Space Communications Squadron (50 SCS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
21st Healthcare Operations Squadron (21 HCOS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
21st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (21 OMRS)Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
821st Support Squadron (821 SPTS)Thule Air Base, Greenland
821st Security Forces Squadron (821 SFS)Thule Air Base, Greenland
Buckley Garrison
460th Civil Engineer Squadron (460 CES)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
460th Force Support Squadron (460 FSS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
460th Logistics Readiness Squadron (460 LRS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
460th Security Forces Squadron (460 SFS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
460th Healthcare Operations Squadron (460 HCOS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
460th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (460 OMRS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
460th Comptroller Squadron (460 CPTS)Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
Los Angeles Garrison
61st Civil Engineer and Logistics Squadron (61 CELS)Los Angeles Space Force Base, California
61st Communications Squadron (61 CS)Los Angeles Space Force Base, California
61st Force Support Squadron (61 FSS)Los Angeles Space Force Base, California
61st Security Forces Squadron (61 SFS)Los Angeles Space Force Base, California
61st Medical Squadron (61 MDS)Los Angeles Space Force Base, California

Planned transfers

On 12 March 2019, the Space Development Agency (SDA), a new space-focused development agency, additional to the Space and Missile Systems Center and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, was established.[16] It was established under the authority of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering.[17] As of January 2020, the SDA is planned to become part of the U.S. Space Force in October 2022.[18]

In early April 2020, a list of twenty-three units to be transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force was publicly reported.[19] Those units included the 17th Test Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado; 18th Intelligence Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; the 25th Space Range Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO; the 328th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV; the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO; the 7th Intelligence Squadron, 659th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, 70th ISR Wing, Ft. Meade, Maryland*; Sixteenth Air Force/Advanced Programs*, Schriever AFB, Colorado; the 32nd Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Maryland*; the 566th Intelligence Squadron, Buckley AFB, Colorado*; the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, Group Staff & Detachment 5, Peterson AFB, Colorado; D the 533d Training Squadron, 381st Training Group, Vandenberg AFB, CA (initial training); the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Research Lab Mission Execution, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio*; the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico*; the AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division, Edwards AFB, CA; the AFRL Electro-Optical Division, Maui, Hawaii & Kirtland AFB, New Mexico*; the AFRL Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio*; the Counter-Space Analysis Squadron and the Space Analysis Squadron, collectively half of the Space and Missiles Analysis Group, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, both at Wright-Patterson AFB; the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, CO; and the Air Force Safety Center – Space Safety Division, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

Detachment 1, USAF Warfare Center, Schriever AFB, Colorado; Operating Location A, 705th Combat Training Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colorado (ultimately part of the 505th Command and Control Wing), and the National Security Space Institute, Peterson AFB, CO National Security Space Institute, a place for space education became eventually part of the STAR Delta.

In September 2021 it was announced the 53rd Signal Battalion and the U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade, and the Naval Satellite Operations Center would be transferred to Space Force. [20]

Heraldry

Each unit in the Space Force has an emblem in a shape depending on the unit type.[21] Each of the three field commands also have a distinctive color: Platinum Grey for SpOC, Gold for SSC, and Cannes Blue for STARCOM. Unit emblems are trimmed with the color of the field command to which they report. Space Force personnel assigned to National Reconnaissance Office roles will wear insignia trimmed in Black.

UnitSpOC
(Platinum)
SSC
(Gold)
STARCOM
(Cannes Blue)
Field Command
Delta
Garrison
(hexagon)
Squadron/Detachment
(ellipse)

See also

References

  1. U.S. Department of Defense (February 2019). "United States Space Force Strategic Overview" (PDF). defense.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  2. Chiles, Cody (December 27, 2019). "14th Air Force Redesignated as Space Operations Command". United States Space Force. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  3. "Comprehensive Plan for the Organizational Structure of the U.S. Space Force" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  4. "Space Force proposes headquarters staff led by generals and civilians". SpaceNews. July 7, 2020. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  5. "WADE S. YAMADA". www.af.mil. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  6. "Dr. LISA A. COSTA". www.spaceforce.mil.
  7. "Space Force chief technologist hints at future plans to build a digital infrastructure". SpaceNews. January 13, 2022.
  8. Kirby, Lynn (June 30, 2020). "USSF field command structure reduces command layers, focuses on space warfighter needs". United States Space Force. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  9. "About Space Operations Command". www.spoc.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  10. "Space Force activates first field command". United States Space Force.
  11. "Space Systems Command geared to deliver swift, responsive space capabilities". United States Space Force.
  12. "PN823 - 1 nominee for Space Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. July 29, 2021.
  13. "USSF establishes 2nd Field Command, Guetlein assumes command". United States Space Force.
  14. "Space Force activates Space Training and Readiness Command". United States Space Force. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  15. "Log into Facebook". Facebook. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  16. Browne, Ryan (March 13, 2019). "Pentagon launches development agency seen as key to future Space Force". CNN. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  17. See https://www.cto.mil/ Archived 2020-08-17 at the Wayback Machine (accessed May 2020).
  18. Valerie Insinna (January 21, 2020). "Space Development Agency on track to become part of Space Force in 2022, director says". Defense News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  19. Erwin, Sandra (March 31, 2020). "U.S. Air Force to transfer 23 units to the Space Force". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  20. Erwin, Sandra (September 21, 2021). "Space Force reveals which Army and Navy units are moving to the space branch". Space News. Retrieved October 20, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. "Approved USSF Patch Shapes (5 Aug 2020)". August 6, 2020.
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