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.

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

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]
- Chief of Space Operations (CSO): Gen John W. Raymond
- Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF): CMSSF Roger A. Towberman
- Vice Chief of Space Operations (VCSO): Gen David D. Thompson
- Director of Staff: Lt Gen Nina M. Armagno
- Deputy Director of Staff: Wade Yamada[5]
- DCSO for Personnel (S1): Patricia Mulcahy
- DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear (S2/3/4/6/7/10): Lt Gen B. Chance Saltzman
- Assistant DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear: Brig Gen Troy Endicott
- Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (S2): Maj Gen Leah Lauderback, USAF
- Mobilization Assistant to the DCSO: Brig Gen Traci Kueker-Murphy, USAF
- Assistant DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear: Brig Gen Troy Endicott
- DCSO for Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis (S5/8): Lt Gen William Liquori
- Director of Plans and Programs (S8): Brig Gen Jennifer L. Grant, USAF
- Mobilization Assistant to the DCSO: Brig Gen Damon S. Feltman, USAF
- DCSO for Technology and Innovation (S9): Dr. Lisa Costa[6]
- Assistant DCSO for Technology and Innovation: Col Charles S. Galbreath[7]
- Director of Staff: Lt Gen Nina M. Armagno
- Mobilization Assistant to the CSO: Brig Gen John M. Olson, USAF
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 |
---|---|---|
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado | Lt Gen Stephen Whiting |
![]() | Los Angeles Air Force Base, California | Lt Gen Michael Guetlein |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado | Maj Gen Shawn Bratton, USAF |
Space Operations Command
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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
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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

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 | ||
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Marc A. Brock |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Christopher A. Fernengel |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Miguel A. Cruz |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California | Col Monique C. DeLauter |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Roy V. Rockwell |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Chandler P. Atwood |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Matthew E. Holston |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Casey M. Beard |
Space Systems Command | ||
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California | Col Robert A. Long |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida | Brig Gen Stephen G. Purdy |
Space Training and Readiness Command | ||
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California | Col Jason N. Schramm |
![]() | United States Air Force Academy, Colorado | Col Jack D. Fulmer II |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Kyle J. Pumroy |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Peter J. Flores |
![]() | Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama | Col 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 Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Zachary S. Warakomski |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado | Col Marcus L. Jackson |
Space Systems Command | ||
![]() | Los Angeles Air Force Base, California | Col Becky Beers |
Squadron
Squadron | Headquarters |
---|---|
Space Delta 1 | |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
Space Delta 2 | |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Virginia |
![]() | Eglin Air Force Base, Florida |
Space Delta 3 | |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
Space Delta 4 | |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Cape Cod Space Force Station, Massachusetts |
![]() | Beale Air Force Base, California |
![]() | Cavalier Space Force Station, North Dakota |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Thule Air Base, Greenland |
![]() | Clear Space Force Station, Alaska |
Space Delta 5 | |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
Space Delta 6 | |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | New Boston Space Force Station, New Hampshire |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
Space Delta 7 | |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio |
Space Delta 8 | |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
Space Delta 9 | |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() |
Schreiver Space Force Base, Colorado |
Space Delta 10 | |
![]() | United States Air Force Academy, Colorado |
![]() | United States Air Force Academy, Colorado |
![]() | United States Air Force Academy, Colorado |
Space Delta 11 | |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
Space Delta 12 | |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado |
Space Delta 13 | |
![]() | Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
Space Launch Delta 30 | |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California |
Space Launch Delta 45 | |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
![]() | Patrick Space Force Base, Florida |
Peterson-Schriever Garrison | |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colo |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Thule Air Base, Greenland |
![]() | Thule Air Base, Greenland |
Buckley Garrison | |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
![]() | Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado |
Los Angeles Garrison | |
![]() | Los Angeles Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Los Angeles Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Los Angeles Space Force Base, California |
![]() | Los Angeles Space Force Base, California |
![]() | 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.
Unit | SpOC (Platinum) | SSC (Gold) | STARCOM (Cannes Blue) |
---|---|---|---|
Field Command | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Delta | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Garrison (hexagon) | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Squadron/Detachment (ellipse) | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
See also
References
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
- "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.
- "WADE S. YAMADA". www.af.mil. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
- "Dr. LISA A. COSTA". www.spaceforce.mil.
- "Space Force chief technologist hints at future plans to build a digital infrastructure". SpaceNews. January 13, 2022.
- 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.
- "About Space Operations Command". www.spoc.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- "Space Force activates first field command". United States Space Force.
- "Space Systems Command geared to deliver swift, responsive space capabilities". United States Space Force.
- "PN823 - 1 nominee for Space Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. July 29, 2021.
- "USSF establishes 2nd Field Command, Guetlein assumes command". United States Space Force.
- "Space Force activates Space Training and Readiness Command". United States Space Force. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- "Log into Facebook". Facebook.
{{cite web}}
: Cite uses generic title (help) - 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.
- See https://www.cto.mil/ Archived 2020-08-17 at the Wayback Machine (accessed May 2020).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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) - "Approved USSF Patch Shapes (5 Aug 2020)". August 6, 2020.