The

United States Space Force The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and the world's only independent space force. Along with its sister branch, the U.S. Air Force, the Space ...

is organized by different units: the Space Staff, the field commands, and the space deltas. The Space Force is organized as one of two coequal military service branches within the

Department of the Air Force The United States Department of the Air Force (DAF) is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Air Force was formed on September 18, 1947, per the National Sec ...

, the other being the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...

. Both services are overseen by the

Secretary of the Air Force A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a wh ...

, who has overall responsibility for organizing, training, and equipping the Air Force and Space Force. The military head of the Space Force is the

chief of space operations The chief of space operations (CSO) is the service chief of the United States Space Force. The CSO is the principal military adviser to the secretary of the Air Force for Space Force operations and, as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a m ...

(CSO), who is an officer in the grade of

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...

Space Staff

The Space Staff is the headquarters of the U.S. Space Force. Like the

U.S. Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Sign ...

's Air Staff that is under the

, it is overseen by the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. It is responsible for developing doctrine, guidance, and plans in performing the Space Force's functions, cooperating with the Air Staff on support issues. It is composed of the military service's most senior leaders: the

, the

vice chief of space operations The vice chief of space operations (VCSO) is an office held by a four-star general in the United States Space Force. The vice chief directly supports the chief of space operations (CSO) by serving as a member of the Joint Requirements Oversig ...

, and the chief master sergeant of the Space Force. Like the other services, there is a director of staff who oversees the synchronization of policies and plans of the headquarters staff and four deputy chiefs of space operations. The Space Staff was designed to be lean. Compared to the Air Force's nine headquarters directorates, the Space Force merged nine functional areas into four directorates. Additionally, each of the four deputy chiefs of space operations has unofficial positional titles akin to that of corporate organizations: chief human capital officer, chief operations officer, chief technology and innovation officer, and chief strategy and resourcing officer. The chief human capital officer and chief technology and innovation officer positions are held by senior civilian officials at the SES-3 level, while both the chief operations officer and chief strategy and resourcing officer positions are filled by two lieutenant generals. *

Chief of Space Operations The chief of space operations (CSO) is the service chief of the United States Space Force. The CSO is the principal military adviser to the secretary of the Air Force for Space Force operations and, as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a m ...

(CSO):

Gen Gen may refer to: * ''Gen'' (film), 2006 Turkish horror film directed by Togan Gökbakar * Gen (Street Fighter), a video game character from the ''Street Fighter'' series * Gen Fu, a video game character from the ''Dead or Alive'' series * Gen l ...

B. Chance Saltzman Bradley Chance Saltzman (born June 30, 1969) is a United States Space Force general who is the second and current chief of space operations. He served as the deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear from 2020 to 2022. ...

Vice Chief of Space Operations The vice chief of space operations (VCSO) is an office held by a four-star general in the United States Space Force. The vice chief directly supports the chief of space operations (CSO) by serving as a member of the Joint Requirements Oversig ...

(VCSO): Gen

David D. Thompson David Dean Thompson (born February 18, 1963) is a retired United States Space Force General (United States), general who served as the first vice chief of space operations from 2020 to 2023. He served as the vice commander of the Air Force Spac ...

*** Director of Staff:

Lt Gen Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

Nina M. Armagno **** Deputy Director of Staff: Wade Yamada *** for Personnel (S1): Katharine Kelley **** Assistant DCSO for Personnel: Todd L. Remington *** DCSO for Intelligence (S2): Maj Gen

Gregory Gagnon Gregory J. Gagnon (born ) is a United States Space Force Major general (United States), major general who serves as the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, deputy chief of space operations for the intelligence of the United State ...

**** Assistant DCSO for Intelligence: Joseph D. Rouge *** DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear (S3/4/6/7/10): Lt Gen

DeAnna Burt DeAnna Marie Burt (born February 15, 1969) is a United States Space Force lieutenant general who has served as the deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear since 2022. She previously served as the commander of Combin ...

**** Assistant DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear: Brig Gen

Troy Endicott Troy Lynd EndicottArticle title
(born April 15, 1971) is a

***** Associate DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear: Bruce E. Hollywood **** Mobilization Assistant to the DCSO: Brig Gen

Traci Kueker-Murphy Traci L. Kueker-Murphy is a United States Air Force brigadier general serving as the mobilization assistant to the Director of Integrated Air, Space, Cyberspace and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Operations of the Space Operations C ...

, USAF *** DCSO for Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis (S5/8): Lt Gen

Philip Garrant Philip Alan Garrant (born 1969) is a United States Space Force lieutenant general who serves as the deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, and requirements. Early life and education Philip Alan Garrant is the son of ...

**** Assistant DCSO for Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis: Stephen L. Hart ***** Director of Plans and Programs (S8): Brig Gen

Jennifer L. Grant Jennifer Lee Grant (born 1973) is a retired United States Air Force brigadier general who last served as the first director of plans and programs of the United States Space Force The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space serv ...

, USAF ****** Chief of Programming (S8/P): Brig Gen

Robert Hutt The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, hono ...

**** Mobilization Assistant to the DCSO: Brig Gen

Damon S. Feltman Damon S. Feltman is a United States Air Force brigadier general serving as the mobilization assistant to the deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, requirements, and analysis of the United States Space Force. He previous ...

, USAF *** DCSO for Technology and Innovation (S9): Dr. Lisa Costa **** Assistant DCSO for Technology and Innovation: Col Roy V. Rockwell ** Mobilization Assistant to the CSO: Maj Gen John M. Olson, USAF ** Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF): CMSSF

Roger A. Towberman Roger A. Towberman (born 1966/1967) is a senior non-commissioned officer of the United States Space Force who has served as the first chief master sergeant of the Space Force since April 3, 2020. He was also the service's first enlisted member, ...

Field organization

The Space Force field organization consist of three different echelons of command: field commands, deltas, and squadrons.

Field command

Field commands align with specific mission focuses and are led by officers in the grade of lieutenant general or major general, comparable to the United States Air Force's

major command Major Command or Major Commands are large formations of the United States Armed Forces. Historically, a Major Command is the highest level of command. Within the United States Army, the acronym MACOM is used for Major Command. Within the United Stat ...

. The Space Force's three field commands will be

Space Operations Command Space Operations Command (SpOC) is the United States Space Force's space operations, cyber operations, and intelligence field command. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado and serves as the U.S. Space Force's service ...

(SpOC),

Space Systems Command Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...

(SSC), and

Space Training and Readiness Command Space Training and Readiness Command (STAR Command or STARCOM) is the United States Space Force's education, training, doctrine, and test field command. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Space Training and Readiness ...

(STARCOM). Denotes planned unit but not yet activated.

Space Operations Command

The

(SpOC) will be the primary force provider of space forces and capabilities. It is responsible for the organization, training, equipping, command and control, and employment of space forces to support operational plans and missions for U.S. combatant commanders. It is headquartered at

Peterson Space Force Base Peterson Space Force Base, previously Peterson Air Force Base, Peterson Field, and Army Air Base, Colorado Springs, is a United States Space Force, U.S. Space Force Base that shares an airfield with the adjacent Colorado Springs Municipal Airp ...

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...

. Established on 21 October 2020, SpOC was the first field command activated. It was established by the redesignation of the headquarters of the former

Air Force Space Command The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

to Space Operations Command. It was composed of the 10 deltas and two garrisons activated on 24 July 2020. This included the

Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) The Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) (STAR Delta (P)) was a United States Space Force unit responsible for the training and education of space professionals, as well as the development of space warfighting doctrine. It was a compone ...

which served as the interim unit for space training and education until the August 2021 stand-up of a full field command. SpOC also maintained command of the two launch wings, which were later redesignated as launch deltas in 2021, previously under the Air Force Space Command until the establishment of the Space Systems Command. The 14th Air Force in

Vandenberg Space Force Base Vandenberg Space Force Base , previously Vandenberg Air Force Base, is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from th ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

that was temporarily redesignated Space Operations Command upon the creation of the Space Force was inactivated. A new unit, Space Operations Command West (SpOC West), was activated to serve as headquarters of the

Combined Force Space Component Command The Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) is a U.S.-led multinational subordinate command of United States Space Command. It is responsible for tactical control of American and multinational space forces. The CFSCC's mission is to "plan, ...

(CFSCC), a subordinate command of the

United States Space Command United States Space Command (USSPACECOM or SPACECOM) is a unified combatant command of the United States Department of Defense, responsible for military operations in outer space, specifically all operations 100 kilometers (62 miles) and grea ...

. The SpOC West commander also served as the commander of CFSCC and as the deputy commander of SpOC.

Space Systems Command

The

(SSC) is becoming responsible for developing, acquiring, and fielding space systems, as well as launch, sustainment, and maintenance of space systems. It also advises Space Force science and technology activities. The Space Force on 8 April 2021 announced the planned structure of the SSC. Led by a lieutenant general, SSC was to be formed by redesignating the

Space and Missile Systems Center Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California and manages the United States' space launch ...

, Commercial Satellite Communications Office, and other space systems programs offices transferred into the Space Force, being stood up in summer 2021. On July 29, Michael Guetlein was confirmed as its first commander by the

United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and pow ...

. The ceremony installing him in command of the new SSC was held August 13, 2021. Under the new structure, the two launch deltas previously under SpOC were reassigned to SSC under the oversight of the SSC deputy commander. The commander of the

Space Launch Delta 45 The Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45) is a unit of the United States Space Force. The Space Launch Delta 45 is assigned to Space Systems Command and headquartered at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. The wing also controls Cape Canaveral Space ...

will take on additional duties as the field command's director of operations.

Space Training and Readiness Command

The

was planned to train and educate space professionals, develop combat-ready space forces, and additionally taking on the roles of integrated testing and on-orbit checkout. Initially, before the activation of the command, a Space Training and Readiness Delta was established in July 2020 at Peterson SFB. STARCOM was activated on 23 August 2021, led by a major general. Five subordinate deltas then began being established: one each for training, doctrine and lessons learned, range and aggressor, test and evaluation, and education.

Delta

The Space Force has no command echelon equivalent of the U.S. Air Force′s

numbered air force A Numbered Air Force (NAF) is a type of organization in the United States Air Force that is subordinate to a List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, major command (MAJCOM) and has assigned to it operational units such as wings, squ ...

s, so the next command echelon below field commands is the delta, a single level of command which combines the

wing A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expres ...

and

group A group is a number of persons or things that are located, gathered, or classed together. Groups of people * Cultural group, a group whose members share the same cultural identity * Ethnic group, a group whose members share the same ethnic ide ...

command echelons found in the U.S. Air Force. Each delta is organized around a specific function, such as operations, installation support, or training, and is led by an officer in the grade of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

. Space Deltas are operational organizations, but have no responsibility for base support, which is either the Air Force′s responsibility, or that of the Space Base Deltas, the former Garrisons. The first 11 deltas in the Space Force initially were assigned to the

. Of those, two were realigned under the

, and the Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) became a separate field command. Denotes planned unit but not yet activated.

Squadron

Below deltas in the Space Force structure are squadrons. Space Force squadrons are focused on specific tactics and are led by an officer in the grade of

lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

History

On 20 December 2019,

's principal components were 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and the

. At the same time as the creation of the Space Force 14th Air Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command. On 12 March 2019, the

Space Development Agency The Space Development Agency (SDA) began as a directorate of the United States Department of Defense's office of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering ( OUSD (R&E)) which supports space development in the interests of U.S. ...

(SDA), a new space-focused development agency, additional to the Space and Missile Systems Center and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, was established. It was established under the authority of the

under secretary of defense for research and engineering The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, abbreviated USD (R&E), is a senior official of the United States Department of Defense. The USD (R&E) is charged with the development and oversight of technology strategy for the DoD. T ...

. As of January 2020, the SDA is planned to become part of the U.S. Space Force in October 2022. In early April 2020, a list of twenty-three units to be transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force was publicly reported. Those units included the

17th Test Squadron The 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron is a United States Space Force test and evaluation unit, located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. The squadron is tasked with testing and evaluating space systems and associated support equipment. Hi ...

, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado;

18th Intelligence Squadron The 18th Intelligence Squadron is an intelligence organization of the United States Air Force, located at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. The squadron delivers decision advantage through strong mission partnerships to the air component, th ...

, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; the 25th Space Range Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO; the

328th Weapons Squadron The 328th Weapons Squadron (328 WPS) is the United States Space Force's weapons school. Assigned to Space Training and Readiness Command's Space Delta 1 and located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, the squadron offers the Space Superiority ...

, Nellis AFB, NV; the

527th Space Aggressor Squadron The 527th Space Aggressor Squadron is a United States Space Force unit assigned to the Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional). The unit traces its lineage to the 312th Bombardment Squadron (Light) constituted in 1942. It presents real ...

, Schriever AFB, CO; the

7th Intelligence Squadron The United States Air Force's 7th Intelligence Squadron is an intelligence unit located at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. The squadron, as the 7th Radio Squadron, Mobile, provided intelligence for American forces in New Guinea and the Philippi ...

659th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group The United States Air Force's 659th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (659 ISRG) is an intelligence unit located at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Mission The mission of the 659 ISRG is to provide direct ISR support to the Sixte ...

, 70th ISR Wing, Ft. Meade, Maryland*;

Sixteenth Air Force The Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) (16 AF) is a United States Air Force (USAF) organization responsible for information warfare, which encompasses intelligence gathering and analysis, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber warfare and ele ...

/Advanced Programs*, Schriever AFB, Colorado; the 32nd Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Maryland*; the 566th Intelligence Squadron, Buckley AFB, Colorado*; the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, Group Staff & Detachment 5, Peterson AFB, Colorado; D the

533d Training Squadron The 533rd Training Squadron (533 TRS) is a United States Space Force unit. It is assigned to the Space Training and Readiness Command, California, where it trains Space Force personnel on space systems. It was activated in this role in 1994. ...

, 381st Training Group, Vandenberg AFB, CA (initial training); the

Air Force Research Laboratory The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is a scientific research organization operated by the United States Air Force Materiel Command dedicated to leading the discovery, development, and integration of aerospace warfighting technologies, pl ...

(AFRL) Research Lab Mission Execution, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio*; the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico*; the AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division, Edwards AFB, CA; the AFRL Electro-Optical Division, Maui, Hawaii & Kirtland AFB, New Mexico*; the AFRL Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio*; the Counter-Space Analysis Squadron and the Space Analysis Squadron, collectively half of the Space and Missiles Analysis Group,

National Air and Space Intelligence Center The National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) is the United States Air Force unit for analyzing military intelligence on foreign air and space forces, weapons, and systems. NASIC assessments of aerospace performance characteristics, ca ...

, both at Wright-Patterson AFB; the

Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is a direct reporting unit of Headquarters, United States Air Force. It is the Air Force independent test agency responsible for testing, und ...

Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, CO; and the

Air Force Safety Center The Air Force Safety Center is a Field Operating Agency with headquarters at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. Mission Safeguarding Airmen – Protecting Resources – Preserving Combat Capability. The Air Force Safety Center develops, implements, ...

– Space Safety Division, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. Detachment 1, USAF Warfare Center, Schriever AFB, Colorado; Operating Location A,

705th Combat Training Squadron The 705th Combat Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. It is assigned to the 505th Test and Evaluation Group and conducts virtual exercises at all levels of operation. Function ...

, Schriever AFB, Colorado (ultimately part of the 505th Command and Control Wing), and the National Security Space Institute, Peterson AFB, C
National Security Space Institute, a place for space education
became eventually part of the STAR Delta. In September 2021 it was announced the

53rd Signal Battalion The 53rd Space Operations Squadron (53 SOPS) is a United States Space Force unit. Assigned to the Space Operations Command's Space Delta 8, it is responsible for providing payload and transmission command and control of the Wideband Global SATCO ...

, the

U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade The United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) is an Army Service Component Command (ASCC) of the United States Army. The command was established in 1997. The current USASMDC commander is Lieutenant General Daniel L. Karbler ...

, and the

Naval Satellite Operations Center The 10th Space Operations Squadron (10 SOPS) is the United States Space Force unit responsible for operating the Mobile User Objective System and Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On satellite constellations, providing global communications to the U ...

would be transferred to Space Force.

Heraldry

Each unit in the Space Force has an emblem in a shape depending on the unit type. Each of the three field commands also have a distinctive color: Platinum Grey for SpOC, Gold for SSC, and Cannes Blue for STARCOM. Unit emblems are trimmed with the color of the field command to which they report. Space Force personnel assigned to

National Reconnaissance Office The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a member of the United States Intelligence Community and an agency of the United States Department of Defense which designs, builds, launches, and operates the reconnaissance satellites of the U.S. f ...

roles will wear insignia trimmed in Black.

References

{{United States Space Force Units and formations of the United States Space Force Military organizational structures United States Department of Defense lists