Space Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  On Dec. 20, 2019, the U.S. Space Force was established, creating the first new branch of the U.S. armed services in 73 years.The need for a separate, space-oriented branch of service was driven by the quickly evolving space domain, and a growing threat posed by near-peer competitors in space.For the last 60 years, the United States’ space capabilities have become an essential part of modern life for all Americans, from GPS to satellite communication.The space domain empowers the U.S. military to be faster, better connected, more informed, precise and lethal because of its investment to strengthen its presence in space.The origins for operations in space goes back to the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy’s military space programs c...

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  U.S. Space Command and the Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Space Commerce, will begin dual-track operations in the provision of space situational awareness information and services to satellite owners and operators.The two partners are migrating the provision of public services relating to spaceflight safety, currently provided via space-track.org, from USSPACECOM to OSC’s new Traffic Coordination System for Space. TraCSS went live for a beta group of satellite owners and operators Sept. 30.During this first of multiple phases, TraCSS will lean on USSPACECOM’s data and distribute TraCSS-generated conjunction data messages (space traffic safety no...

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --   This week the Department of Defense kicks off a three-year pilot program meant to reimburse service members up to $1,500 for travel-related expenses incurred for a temporary child care provider following a permanent change of station move.   When an active duty service member makes a permanent change of station move to a new duty location and finds that child care at the local child development center won’t be available within 30 days of their report date, they can hire their own provider, typically a relative or family friend, and then later file for reimbursement of transportation-related expenses.    The process begins with a service member visiting the military child care website to apply for child c...

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) --  In February 2024, Chief Master Sgt. Caleb Lloyd, Space Operations Command senior enlisted leader, rolled out the Guardian and Airmen Development Program. This initiative fosters a new generation of adept and inspired leaders to have the necessary skills and traits to meet the current and future demands of the U.S. Space Force. Practice The 8th Combat Training Squadron, housed within Space Delta 8 - Satellite Communications, has been working diligently to develop and provide opportunities to enhance unit members’ understanding of how they fit into the bigger pictu...

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  Many Americans correlate national defense with the service members who wear the uniform. Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton challenged audiences at the 2024 Women in Defense National Conference on Sept. 24, to think a step further. “I think of defense as a triangle … it doesn’t exist unless it has three sides,” Dalton said. “In this case, defense comprises our men and women in uniform, those who serve in the career civil service, and the defense industrial base.” Dalton pointed out “American national security simply does not exist without that triangle intact,” and sufficiently repr...