During his keynote address at the Air Force Association Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond outlined the Space Force’s achievements since its inception on December 20, 2019. The Space Force has been built to be lean, fast, innovative, and unified, with a focus on being purpose-built to compete, deter, and win against a growing threat. Raymond emphasized that space is no longer a benign domain, with over 70 nations currently operating satellites of varying sizes and capabilities. He warned that there is a growing number of satellites and other space capabilities being designed for warfighting and to interrupt and defeat US operations. Raymond also highlighted China’s deployment of satellites with a robotic arm that could be used to “grab” other satellites and Russia’s co-orbital anti-satellite weapon, which is specifically designed to kill US satellites. The ability to operate in space is critical not only to protect US security but also to power the US and global economy, communications, transportation, and other essential functions of everyday life. Building a new service from scratch has allowed the Space Force to keep the organization lean and the talent level high. Raymond highlighted three new Guardians, each of whom is a recent graduate from the Air Force Academy, to underscore the kind of person Space Force needs and seeks. The Space Force continues to evolve, with a space doctrine written, a space curriculum developed, and processes for working efficiently with the other services honed.
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