United States Space Forces – Space

United States Space Forces – Space
S4S emblem
Founded6 December 2023; 379 days
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeComponent field command
RoleSpace operations
Part ofUnited States Space Command
HeadquartersVandenberg Space Force Base, California
Commanders
CommanderLt Gen Douglas Schiess
Deputy CommanderBrig Gen Frank R. Kincaid[1]
Command Senior Enlisted LeaderCMSgt Tina R. Timmerman

The United States Space Forces – Space (S4S, SPACEFOR–SPACE)[2] is the United States Space Force component field command to the United States Space Command. It was formed by combining the Combined Force Space Component Command and Joint Task Force–Space Defense. Its commander also serves as the combined joint force space component commander (CJFSCC). It was activated on 6 December 2023.

History

S4S activation ceremony, 31 January 2024

In 2021, the United States Space Command began thinking about creating a subordinate command that streamlines space operations. Initial plans were to establish a Joint Force Space Component Command by combining the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) and Joint Task Force–Space Defense (JTF-SD).[3] On 16 November 2022, General James H. Dickinson, U.S Space Command commander, ordered the creation of the Combined Joint Task Force–Space Operations (CJTF-SO), under which CFSCC and JTF-SD reported. U.S. Army Major General Thomas L. James served as acting commander of CJTF-SO until a three-star commander was nominated and confirmed.[4][5][6]

By 2023, no officer has been nominated as CJTF-SO commander. Meanwhile, plans shifted for the Space Force to create a new component field command to U.S. Space Command, the United States Space Forces – Space (S4S). It would be commanded with a three-star officer with the director of staff of the Space Force being downgraded to a two-star billet to make way for it. On 17 October 2023, U.S. Space Force Major General Douglas Schiess was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the first commander of S4S. As S4S commander, he would also serve as the combined joint space component commander (CJFSCC).[7]

Following the confirmation of Schiess's nomination, S4S was activated on 6 December 2023 by redesignating Space Operations Command West as S4S. CFSCC and JTF-SD were also inactivated.[8][9][10] On 31 January 2024, a ceremony presided by General B. Chance Saltzman and General Stephen Whiting was held to commemorate the activation of S4S.[11]

Structure

Name Space mission deltas
Space Delta 5 Combined Space Operations Center Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Space Delta 15 National Space Defense Center Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado

List of commanders

Main article: Leadership of United States Space Forces – Space
No. Commander Term Ref
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term Length
1
Douglas Schiess
Lietenant General
Douglas Schiess
(born 1970)		6 December 2023Incumbent1 year, 13 days[12]

References

  1. ^ "Brigadier General Frank R. Kincaid Biography" (PDF). www.spaceforces-space.mil. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  2. ^ "U.S. Space Forces - Space". www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Hitchens, Theresa (15 November 2021). "Exclusive: SPACECOM reorganizing amidst theater component command debate".
  4. ^ Erwin, Sandra (16 November 2022). "U.S. Space Command creates new task force to coordinate space operations".
  5. ^ Hitchens, Theresa (16 November 2022). "SPACECOM reorganization streamlines command structure".
  6. ^ "USSPACECOM establishes a Combined Joint Task Force". Space Operations Command (SpOC). 15 November 2022.
  7. ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense.
  8. ^ Hadley, Greg (12 December 2023). "USSF Creates New Component for SPACECOM". Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  9. ^ Erwin, Sandra (13 December 2023). "Space Force reorganizes command structure to streamline operations".
  10. ^ "SecAF redesignates Space Operations Command West as US Space Forces – Space". United States Space Force. 12 December 2023.
  11. ^ Kitterman, Luke (1 February 2024). "CSO formally activates S4S, Schiess assumes command".
  12. ^ "Douglas A. Schiess". United States Space Force.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to United States Space Forces – Space.