Space Dominance Importance and Management: Insights from Chief Space Officer
GEN. B. CHANCE SALTZMAN EMPHASIZES NEED FOR US TO SECURE SPACE SUPERIORITY AT 2025 AFA WARFARE SYMPOSIUM
General B. Chance Saltzman, the Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force, addressed the keynote session of this year's Air Force Association Warfare Symposium. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining US dominance in space, the general offered his take on the necessity for developing capabilities to manage the domain. These comments mark one of the most explicit messages from a senior leader stressing the role of offensive capabilities in space.
Peering into the Past
Saltzman began his speech by referencing the 1969 Apollo 9 mission, which heralded a pivotal step in humanity's journey to the Moon. The general emphasized that the success of this mission depended on the hard work and dedication of all involved, from the astronauts themselves to the thousands who played smaller but indispensable roles. This anecdote served as a powerful metaphor, as he stressed the importance of every individual's contribution in building the foundations for the Space Force.
The Imperative of the Space Force
Servicing his primary role, Saltzman spends the majority of his time lobbying for the Space Force in government circles. He also emphasized the importance of the AFA Symposium gathering, calling those present the "doers of the deeds." The Space Force, according to Saltzman, is vital to safeguarding the US's interests in, from, and to space. To underline this point, he stressed the Space Force's role in deterring adversaries and defending the joint armed forces from space-enabled attacks.
The Guardian's Burden
Inside the Space Force, responsibilities are diverse, ranging from intelligence analysis and cyber defense to satellite operation and ground terminal maintenance. Saltzman highlighted the importance of each job, regardless of its specifics, as they all contribute to the overall mission of ensuring the US enjoys space superiority. He called for a moment of reflection on the gravity of each person's role, particularly in the context of a space conflict.
Six Foundational Truths
Saltzman also reiterated the six foundational truths of the Space Force, stating that the organization exists to protect its own capabilities and defend the joint forces against space-enabled attacks. The general cautioned against treating space merely as a collection of support activities. Instead, he emphasized the need to consider it a war-fighting domain in its own right. The Space Force, according to Saltzman, must be capable of conducting offensive operations to achieve space superiority.
Defence and Offence in Space
To achieve space superiority, Saltzman emphasized the importance of being both ready to defend US space power and protect troops against hostile space power. He posited that the essence of space superiority lies in simultaneously safeguarding American space power and neutralizing threats from adversaries. This stance indicates a clear focus on developing the Space Force's offensive capabilities.
The Space Force: A Purpose-Built Organization
Saltzman highlighted the need for a purpose-built organization tailored for space warfare. This organization would include the institutions, equipment, tactics, and training required to control the space domain. In simpler terms, it necessitates a dedicated space force. Without this mission, the Space Force might merely resemble a comprehensive space agency, lacking the capacity for offensive operations.
Transforming for the Future
The Space Force has undergone numerous changes since its inception, with the general acknowledging the sheer number of initiatives it pursues. Despite the challenges these changes present, Saltzman emphasized that the existing Space Force is not yet sufficient for the mission. He spoke of the urgent need to play in the major leagues rather than settling for minor league gear or little league tactics. This pragmatic philosophy seemed to guide his vision for the Space Force's future.
Building the Arch of Transformation
Saltzman summarized the various initiatives designed to facilitate the transformation of the Space Force. Each of these efforts acts as a block in an arch, each distributing the load of transformation and moving the Space Force closer to the service it needs for tomorrow. However, this transformation process places a significant strain on the Guardians, and the general emphasized the sacrifice required to make the Space Force the service the nation needs.
Embracing Change
Acknowledging the complexities of the transformation process, Saltzman likened it to building an intricate system, one that takes time to perfect. Rather than striving for a perfectly planned implementation, the general advocated for starting with a minimum viable product and refining it through experience. Saltzman encouraged the Space Force to embrace change, recognizing that the alternative—not evolving as a war-fighting service—carries potentially devastating consequences.
The Key to Success: Space Control
Saltzman underscored the importance of the Space Force's newest core function: space control. This function encompasses the mission areas necessary to contest and control the space domain using both kinetic and non-kinetic means. He emphasized that space control is the primary tool by which the Space Force aims to achieve space superiority.
Looking Ahead
In the future, the Space Force intends to publish Doctrine Document 1, laying out the foundational concepts that will guide the organization moving forward. Saltzman encouraged everyone to read this document when it's available, as it will offer valuable insights into the Space Force's expansion and evolution.
The March Toward Space Superiority
Saltzman concluded his speech by emphasizing the US's commitment to ensuring space superiority for its forces while denying the same to adversaries. The general reiterated that the Space Force is the service with the unique skillset required to achieve space superiority. With the vagaries of warfighting informing everything the Space Force does, the nation can expect continued efforts to evolve and adapt for the challenges that lie ahead.
- Saltzman emphasized the importance of considering space as a war-fighting domain in its own right, necessitating the Space Force's ability to conduct offensive operations for achieving space superiority.
- The Space Force, according to Saltzman, is vital in deterring adversaries and defending the joint armed forces from space-enabled attacks, a responsibility that spans from intelligence analysis and cyber defense to satellite operation and ground terminal maintenance.
- In his speech, Saltzman also advocated for a purpose-built organization for space warfare, encompassing the institutions, equipment, tactics, and training required to control the space domain, and thus necessitating a dedicated space force.
- To safeguard American space power while neutralizing threats from adversaries, Saltzman posited that the essence of space superiority lies in being ready to both defend US space power and protect troops against hostile space power.
- Each initiative to facilitate the transformation of the Space Force serves as a block in an arch, moving the Space Force closer to the service it needs for tomorrow. However, this transformation comes with significant strain on the Guardians, requiring sacrifice to make the Space Force the service the nation needs.
