Combined Force Space Component Command

The Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) was a U.S.-led multinational[2][3] subordinate command of United States Space Command. It was responsible for tactical control of American and multinational space forces. The CFSCC's mission was to "plan, integrate, conduct, and assess global space operations in order to deliver combat relevant space capabilities to Combatant Commanders, Coalition partners, the Joint Force, and the Nation."[4] It was established on 29 August 2019.

Combined Force Space Component Command
Combined Force Space Component Command shield
Active29 August 2019–6 December 2023
Country United States
 Australia
 Canada
 United Kingdom
BranchUnited States Space Force
TypeSubordinate command
RoleTactical control of space forces
Size17,000 personnel [1]
Part ofCombined Joint Task Force–Space Operations
HeadquartersVandenberg Space Force Base, California, U.S.[1]
Insignia
Flag

The United States Space Force's Space Operations Command West served as the headquarters and staff for the Combined Force Space Component Command.[5]

CFSCC was inactivated on 6 December 2023 with the activation of United States Space Forces – Space.[6][7][8] On 8 January 2024, a ceremony was held to inactivate CFSCC.[9]

Structure

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The Combined Force Space Component Command's included four centers:

History

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The Combined Force Space Component Command was established immediately after the establishment of United States Space Command on August 29, 2019. In addition to having tactical control of Space Force, Army, Navy, and multinational forces, the CFSCC also plans and executes space operations. The CFSCC both executes space operations and integrates space effects and support within the existing combatant commands. The CFSCC also provides support to, and receives support from, Coalition operations centers including the Australian Space Operations Centre, part of Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Canadian Space Operations Centre, and United Kingdom Space Operations Centre.

In addition the CFSCC commands and controls assigned multinational forces in support of Operation Olympic Defender. Olympic Defender is aimed at "strengthening allies’ abilities to deter hostile actions by rivals."[10] British Defense Minister Penny Mordaunt told delegates to a July 2019 conference that "over the next 18 months.. Britain will send eight personnel" to the CFSCC to help "“strengthen deterrence against hostile actors in space."[10] Olympic Defender, dating to 2013, "coordinate[s] allies’ efforts to protect key satellites."[11]

The CFSCC specifically commands space domain awareness, space electronic warfare, satellite communications, missile warning, nuclear detonation detection, environmental monitoring, military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, navigation warfare, command and control, and positioning, navigation, and timing.[1]

A ceremony recognizing the establishment of the CFSCC occurred on October 1, 2019 at Vandenberg AFB.[12]

Listed featured units on the CFSCC's webpage include the Combined Space Operations Center/Space Delta 5; the Commercial Integration Cell (CIC); the three other operations centers listed above; the U.S. Army 1st Space Brigade; Space Deltas 2, 3, 4, and 8; and the U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade (which is being transferred to the Space Force[13]).

The Commercial Integration Cell (CIC) enables operational and technology exchange between operators at the Combined Space Operations Center and commercial satellite owner operator partners to assist real‐time and near real‐time information flow during daily routine operations and to enable rapid, informed response to critical unplanned space events or other activities.

List of commanders

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No. Commander Term Service branch
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1Major General
Stephen Whiting
29 August 201920 November 201983 days 
U.S. Air Force
2Major General
John E. Shaw
20 November 201916 November 2020362 days 
U.S. Air Force
3Major General
DeAnna Burt
16 November 202022 August 20221 year, 279 days 
U.S. Space Force
4Major General
Douglas Schiess
22 August 20226 December 20231 year, 106 days 
U.S. Space Force

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Combined Force Space Component Command Established at Vandenberg AFB > Schriever Air Force Base > Article Display". Schriever.af.mil. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  2. ^ Minsky, Dave (Nov 12, 2020). "Air Force Major Gen. DeAnna Burt to lead multinational space command at Vandenberg AFB". Lompoc Record. Archived from the original on 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  3. ^ Erwin, Sandra (2021-01-29). "Space Command to expand network of allies that help monitor orbital traffic". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  4. ^ "United States Space Command Fact Sheet > United States Space Command > Fact Sheets Editor". Spacecom.mil. 2019-08-29. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  5. ^ "About Space Operations Command". www.spoc.spaceforce.mil.
  6. ^ Hadley, Greg (12 December 2023). "USSF Creates New Component for SPACECOM". Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  7. ^ Erwin, Sandra (13 December 2023). "Space Force reorganizes command structure to streamline operations".
  8. ^ "SecAF redesignates Space Operations Command West as US Space Forces – Space". United States Space Force. 12 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Ceremony recognizes C/JFSCC designation, deactivates CFSCC, JTF-SD". United States Space Command.
  10. ^ a b Chuter, Andrew (2019-07-18). "UK, US militaries join forces to keep the upper hand in space". Defense News. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  11. ^ Thisdell2020-09-01T11:08:00+01:00, Dan. "Why the sky is no limit for RAF's space ambitions". Flight Global. Retrieved 2020-10-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Military leaders unveil new space command at Vandenberg Air Force Base | Military Council". Militarycouncil.ca.gov. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  13. ^ "Army Sat Ops Brigade Transfers to Space Force: Karbler". 21 May 2021.
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