U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S)

Last week, Chief Timmerman and I had the privilege to host an All Call with the stellar professionals of the Combined Space Operations Center to communicate our vision for the future of Operational Command and Control of Space Forces and answer any of their questions. During the All Call, we recognized some of the CSpOC’s most Outstanding Performers who have been critical for the center’s mission. A big congrats to the following individuals on your performance:   Major Ezekiel Clayson Mr. Lee Curtin Master Sgt. Patrick Zerbe Sgt. Evan Pawlus Spc3 Anthony Strauch 1st Lt. Megan Zering Sgt. Daniel Petta   Thank you to our DEL 5 Commander and CSpOC Director, Col. Justin Sorice, for the incredible work by his team.

Happy 132nd Birthday to the US Navy Chief Petty Officers around the world!   Established April 1, 1893, the rank of CPO is recognized for its technical expertise within their rating, considerable administrative skills, and having strong leadership abilities. Having the privilege to serve in this capacity, CPOs uphold the responsibilities of leading, mentoring and developing Sailors into lethal combat teams to keep our Navy, and our Nation, a decisive combat power. Thank you to everyone at S4S who made it to the cake-cutting ceremony today!

This week, S4S welcomed U.S. Space Force’s Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships, Royal Air Force Air Marshal Paul Godfrey. Air Marshal Godfrey is responsible for integrating allies and partners with the USSF’s capability development strategy and while here, he visited with liaison officers from seven different countries along with the 18th SDS. His visit allowed for discussion on shaping the future of space operations, harnessing collaborative power through the CSpOC and addressing the unique challenges each nation faces in the space domain so we can CONNECT better as a team. Thank you, Air Marshal Godfrey for taking the time to visit us at Vandenberg. To see more from his visit, click here: https://lnkd.in/gizzd54h

59 Guardians participated in the 3rd Annual Guardian Field Forum last week. This event brings together some of our brightest enlisted, officer, and civilian personnel to tackle the Space Force's toughest challenges. Representing S4S were U.S. Space Force Capt. Shelton Humphrey, 2nd Lt. Lauren Leveque, 1st Lt. Samuel Turner, and Tech. Sgt. Andrea Drake. Their innovative solutions and direct feedback are invaluable as we build the future of our service. To read more about the Guardian Field Forum and what some of our participants had to say about their experience, click here: https://lnkd.in/g-D5M_NZ

The future of space operations depends on collaboration and communication. Through the Commercial Integration Cell, the U.S. Space Force is working alongside commercial partners like SpaceX to enhance space safety, sharing critical data and fostering responsible space practices. This partnership ensures transparency, trust, and sustainable space operations. Read more about how open communication is key to a safer space environment: https://lnkd.in/eMgUGX7b

The State of Vandenberg is an annual event held here on Vandenberg Space Force Base in cooperation with the Santa Maria Valley and Lompoc Valley Chambers of Commerce to keep community members informed of the installations mission and get status updates directly from key base tenant units' leadership. Our Commander, Lt. Gen. Schiess along with our Del 5 Commander and CSpOC Director, Col. Justin Sorice spoke to community leaders and members to provide key updates on our mission, priorities, accomplishments and way forward. We are grateful to the Vandenberg Space Force Base Space Launch Delta 30 Commander, Col. Mark Shoemaker and the rest of the Space Launch Delta 30 team for providing S4S leadership a chance to connect with our local community. The Central Coast California community support is vital to our mission success and we could not carry out the important work we do without it . https://lnkd.in/ei-BPvyw

Last week, Lt. Gen. Schiess joined Space Operations Command and Missile Defense Agency leadership on a missile defense panel at the Air and Space Forces Symposium in Aurora, Colo., to discuss the future of missile defense in a rapidly changing threat landscape The security of our nation depends on a proactive and evolving approach to missile defense. S4S and the entire Space Force is committed to doing everything in our power to ensure we remain ready to meet these challenges head-on. The threats are real, they're changing constantly, and we can't afford to wait. That's why your Guardians are working tirelessly alongside our Air Force and joint partners to build the most responsive and resilient missile defense network on the planet. We're training for any scenario, leveraging data, refining tactics and techniques, and sending a clear message to the world: Today is NOT the day to test the U.S. Space Force. To read the full story, click here: https://lnkd.in/e27Tu35N

Lt. Gen. Schiess spoke at the AFA Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, March 4 about the important role commercial partnerships play in the Space Force to provide real-time and near real-time information flow for a rapid, informed response to space events and to improve Space Domain Awareness. S4S has invited Commercial Mission Partners who are a part of our Commercial Integration Cell to be a part of our weekly O&I meetings, we’ve included them in our Joint Space Operations Plan, and these partners have a seat on our Combined Space Operations Center floor where they can provide and receive real-time data that helps us protect our assets and deliver combat relevant space effects. Through the Commercial Integration Office, S4S ensures proper and timely integration of commercial space solutions into its day-to-day operations, supporting a range of mission areas. This includes incorporating the commercial sector in wargames, exercises, and training. #AlliesandPartners #AFAColorado #USSpaceForce #AFAWarfareSymposium

Today our Commander Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess was a guest on the Doolittle Leadership in Action podcast while at the AFA Warfare Symposium in Aurora. Colo., hosted by his friend and Air Force Veteran Dr. Patrick Donley. During their discussion, Lt. Gen. Schiess spoke about the best advice he ever received while a young LT, the importance of developing confidence as a leader, how to find and be a good mentor, giving and receiving constructive feedback and how to develop the next level of leaders. Through his stories of success and errors, Lt. Gen Schiess hopes to inspire the next generation of Guardian leaders.

Brig. Gen. Frank R. Kincaid, USAF, Deputy Commander of U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) (left), UK Space Command Air Commodore Jamie Thompson, Deputy Commander United Kingdom Space Command, UK Space Command Command Warrant Officer Caroline Cooper, and US Air Force SMSgt Brian Edwards-Turner, S4S headquarters staff senior enlisted leader, pose for a photo during Thompson’s visit to Space Forces - Space (S4S). During his visit, Air Commodore Thompson received an S4S mission brief, toured the Operations Floor, and visited various sites at Vandenberg Space Force Base, including Space Launch Complex-2. #AlliesandPartners