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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to U.S. Air Force Col. Karen Slocum, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) commander, at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to U.S. Air Force Col. Karen Slocum, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) commander, at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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 U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Barnett, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) chief, left, asks a question to U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command command senior enlisted leader, at Space Delta ‘s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker opened the floor up for a Q &A portion after his brief to 9 COS members. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Barnett, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) chief, left, asks a question to U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command command senior enlisted leader, at Space Delta ‘s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker opened the floor up for a Q &A portion after his brief to 9 COS members. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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 U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, sits with members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) and other USSPACECOM attendees during a 9 COS mission brief at the Combined Force Space Component Command headquarters on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, sits with members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) and other USSPACECOM attendees during a 9 COS mission brief at the Combined Force Space Component Command headquarters on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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 U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, briefs members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, briefs members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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 U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to a 148th Space Operations Squadron mission brief from U.S. Air Force Maj. Ruben Carrillo, 148 SOPS director of operations, at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to a 148th Space Operations Squadron mission brief from U.S. Air Force Maj. Ruben Carrillo, 148 SOPS director of operations, at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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 U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, and other USSPACECOM members look at a timeline of newsworthy events pertaining to the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, and other USSPACECOM members look at a timeline of newsworthy events pertaining to the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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 U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, second from right, and gets an overview of the MILSATCOM mission the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) provides to the warfighter at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, second from right, and gets an overview of the MILSATCOM mission the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) provides to the warfighter at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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 U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, gives a USSPACECOM mission brief to 148th Space Operations Squadron members at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, gives a USSPACECOM mission brief to 148th Space Operations Squadron members at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to U.S. Air Force Col. Karen Slocum, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) commander, at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman) U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Barnett, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) chief, left, asks a question to U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command command senior enlisted leader, at Space Delta ‘s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker opened the floor up for a Q &A portion after his brief to 9 COS members. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman) U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, sits with members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) and other USSPACECOM attendees during a 9 COS mission brief at the Combined Force Space Component Command headquarters on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman) U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, briefs members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman) U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to a 148th Space Operations Squadron mission brief from U.S. Air Force Maj. Ruben Carrillo, 148 SOPS director of operations, at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman) U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, and other USSPACECOM members look at a timeline of newsworthy events pertaining to the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman) U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, second from right, and gets an overview of the MILSATCOM mission the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) provides to the warfighter at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman) U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, gives a USSPACECOM mission brief to 148th Space Operations Squadron members at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

Air Force Stands Up New Headquarters Space Directorate

  • Published
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs


WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson has approved the reorganization of the Air Force headquarters to establish a Deputy Chief of Staff for Space Operations, who will be a three-star Air Force general officer.

“This is the next step in our effort to integrate, normalize and elevate space operations in the Air Force,” said Wilson. “The United States is dependent on space and our adversaries know it.  We must organize and train forces to be able to prevail in any future conflict which could extend into space.”

The new directorate will begin operating in early August. Over the next two months, the Air Force will work to stand up the Deputy Chief of Staff for Space Operations directorate – or “A-11” – by establishing an initial A-11 cadre, establishing operations and identifying the senior leaders who will lead the new staff. 

“A new three-star deputy chief of staff for space … will increase decision making speed and help ensure freedom from attack and freedom to maneuver,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. “The Air Force culture evolved to own the skies and is now best postured to lead space into this information age and prepare our people and systems to achieve space superiority so the warfighter has what’s required to win.”  

The deputy chief of staff for space operations will be the advocate for space operations and requirements to meet the demands of a warfighting domain, according to Air Force officials. The directorate will also consolidate space functions from multiple parts of the Air Staff.  

Air Force Secretary as Principal Defense Advisor on Space Reaffirmed 

On June 9, Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work reaffirmed the Secretary of the Air Force will continue to be the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense on space over the next year, giving Air Force and DOD leadership time to revalidate the current approach. As the principal advisor, the Secretary of the Air Force has responsibilities to guide and advocate for space related programs across all services and defense agencies.

“While we are integrating and normalizing space on the Air Staff, we are also strengthening the integrated service staff supporting the Principal DOD Space Advisor role so that major issues are addressed, operations and acquisition is streamlined and every service is heard when it comes to space,” said Wilson.