Space Force

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman shared an update during his keynote speech at the Status of the Space Force session at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference here Sept. 20.   Discussing the Space Force’s accomplishments over the past year, which included the creation of rank insignia, uniforms and foundational documents for the force, he focused on retention and taking care of Guardians.“We believe in the ‘Guardian Ideal,’ and we believe that it’s important to remember that it is literally a standard of perfection,” Towberman said. “It is a principle; it is not a goal to achieve. We will never be done. That doesn’t mean we can move slowly…or leave things undone. However, it does mean improving...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) -- Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones, Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Transportation Command commander, and Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, co-chaired the “Preparing for Global Competition” panel at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 19.As the nation increases its focus on strategic competition, Jones highlighted the imperative for the Department of the Air Force to stay ahead of the pacing challenges. Undersecretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jo...

ARLINGTON, Va -- ARLINGTON, Va. - Every branch of the armed forces has an official song, from "The Army Goes Rolling Along" to "The Marines' Hymn." Each song is part of the services' foundation and represents its values, traditions and culture.   The U.S. Space Force, the newest military branch established in 2019, has officially adopted its own song titled "Semper Supra" that was unveiled during the 2022 Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 20.   “Semper Supra" was named after the USSF motto, which is Latin for "Always Above." It was created to capture the esprit de corps of both current and future Guardians, and intends to bring together service members by giving them a sense of pride.   Two former ser...

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman told the Senate Armed Services Committee Sept. 13 that if confirmed to be the next Chief of Space Operations he would build on the young service’s “solid foundation” by being “clear-eyed” and innovative, making the Space Force’s connection to the joint force fail-safe and continuing to lock arms with partners and allies.“Space is truly a critical domain for U.S. interests, so we must all be clear-eyed in our understanding that our strategic competitors have invested heavily in fielding systems capable of disrupting, degrading and even destroying our space capabilities,” Saltzman told the committee in his opening statement, echoing themes that have been frequently voiced since the Space Force was created on Dec. 20, 2019.“If c...

HOUSTON, Texas -- The U.S. Space Force and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez signed an agreement Sept. 9, 2022, making them the 14th member of the service’s University Partnership Program.   Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond joined UPRM Chancellor Dr. Rullán at the Johnson Center in Houston, Texas, to finalize the agreement and to learn more about the university’s space initiatives and capabilities.  This partnership will leverage the space and technical prowess to: enhance and encourage collaboration on science, technology, engineering and mathematic fields, build solutions for current and future research projects that further national security objectives in the space domain, and grow and develop a qualified...