Joint Task Force-Space Defense

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Third iteration of 18 SDS ‘Operator Exchange’ welcomes UKSpOC members
March 3, 2023 — VANDNEBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Space Situational Awareness Partnership and Coalition Engagement (SPACE) office within the 18th Space Defense Squadron (18 SDS), hosted two members from the U.K. Space Operations Centre (UKSpOC), Feb. 13-17, 2023, to exchange knowledge on their respective space programs and units... MORE

(From left to right) Royal Air Force (RAF) Flying Officer Hallchurch, U.K. Space Operations Centre (UKSpOC) space duty officer, U.S. Space Force Capt. Dustin Pessatore, 18th Space Defense Squadron (18 SDS) sharing coordinator, and RAF Corporal Coulson, UKSpOC space analyst, stand in front of flags in 18 SDS’s High Bay at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Feb. 13, 2023. According to U.K.’s Defence Space Strategy, the nation is focusing heavily on strengthening relations with Five Eyes intelligence partnerships and adopting an ‘international by design’ approach. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

JCO hosts NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation
February 22, 2023 — U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, Joint Task Force-Space Defense commander, hosts French Air and Space Force Gen. Phillipe Lavigne, NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation during an engagement at the JTF-SD Commercial Operations Cell facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Feb. 2, 2023. The implementation of space as an operational domain was a critical step towards ensuring the alliance's military instrument of power remains relevant in today's complex, interconnected and multi-domain environment. NATO is working towards improving its ability to coordinate with space-faring allies, maintain collective situational awareness and allow the Supreme Allied Commander Europe to leverage allies' space capabilities in a coordinated and efficient way. The JCO is an extension of the National Space Defense Center operations floor, and it leverages commercial providers to provide diverse, timely Space Domain Awareness in direct support of the NSDC’s core protect and defend mission. (Courtesy photo)... MORE

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USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC commander visits JTF-SD, NSDC
February 15, 2023 — U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of U.S. Space Forces Pacific, right, met with U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, Joint Task Force-Space Defense commander, middle, and U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeramey Conley, JTF-SD senior enlisted leader, left, during a visit to the JTF-SD and the National Space Defense Center at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 27, 2023. Mastalir attended an office call with Bythewood, participated in a capabilities and mission brief discussion, and received a new systems demonstration. The JTF-SD’s mission is to conduct unified action with mission partners, space superiority operations to deter aggression, defend capability and defeat adversaries through the continuum of conflict. (U.S. Space Force photo by Dennis Rogers)... MORE

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USSPACECOM Commander, CSEL host town hall for JTF-SD
January 30, 2023 — U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander, speaks to members of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense during a town hall at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 17, 2023. Dickinson discussed the competitive and contested space domain and the important role that USSPACECOM and its functional component commands play in every combatant command across the globe. The JTF-SD was formed as a functional component command under U.S. Space Command Aug. 29, 2019. The JTF-SD’s mission is, in unified action with mission partners, to deter aggression, defend capabilities and defeat adversaries throughout the continuum of conflict in order to maintain space superiority in the USSPACECOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)... MORE

JTF-SD Commander, CSEL host first town hall
January 27, 2023 — U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, commander of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense, speaks during a town hall at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 20, 2023. Bythewood discussed his priorities, expanded on the future trajectory of the organization and fielded questions from JTF-SD personnel. The JTF-SD’s mission is, in unified action with mission partners, to deter aggression, defend capabilities and defeat adversaries throughout the continuum of conflict in order to maintain space superiority in the U.S. Space Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)... MORE

SBD 1 Chaplain's office brings GO TEAM therapy dogs to JTF-SD
January 26, 2023 — U.S. Air Force Capt. Barry Kemp, Space Base Delta 1 Chaplain, and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kion Shaw, senior enlisted leader for the National Space Defense Center, interact with GO TEAM handler-dog teams at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 19, 2023. The SBD 1 Chaplain’s office brought GO TEAM therapy dogs to the Joint Task Force-Space Defense. The GO TEAM handler-dog teams are dedicated to placing well-trained, certified therapy dog teams in programs that provide comfort and caring through a canine-human bond. Teams provide help to victims in distress and work with our servicemen, first responders, and anywhere a therapy/comfort dog is needed. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)... MORE

MOD personnel at NRO visit NSDC
January 6, 2023 — From left, U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeramey Conley, command senior enlisted leader of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense, Aimee Robinson, principal deputy director of the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) at the National Reconnaissance Office, U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, commander of the JTF-SD, David Lathrop, deputy director of the MOD at the NRO, and U.S. Space Force Col. Kevin Amsden, deputy director of the National Space Defense Center, pose for a group photo during their visit at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 5, 2023. During the visit, MOD personnel received briefs on NSDC capabilities and other mission critical programs. This marked Robinson’s first visit to the NSDC. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)... MORE

Military members and civilians pose for a group photo

Maj. Gen. Povak visits JTF-SD, NSDC, hosts all call for NRO personnel
January 3, 2023 — U.S. Space Force Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Povak, deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, speaks with U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood, commander of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense, during his visit to the organization at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 12, 2022. Povak visited with JTF-SD leadership, received updated mission briefs from the National Space Defense Center and hosted an all call for all NRO personnel stationed here. Povak previously served as the deputy commander of the JTF-SD. (U.S. Space Force photo illustration by Dennis Rogers) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.)... MORE

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JTF-SD celebrates USSF turning three
December 20, 2022 — U.S. Space Force Sgt. Roy McDavid Jr., left, Joint Task Force-Space Defense noncommissioned officer in charge of collections management and U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeramey Conley, right, JTF-SD command senior enlisted leader cut a cake during the organization’s celebration of the U.S. Space Force’s third birthday at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 20, 2022. The USSF was established Dec. 20, 2019, when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law (with bi-partisan support), creating the first new branch of the armed services in 73 years. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)... MORE

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Polaris Awards recipients visit JCO
December 16, 2022 — Polaris Awards recipients pose for a group photo during a visit to the Joint Task Force-Space Defense Commercial Operations Cell (JCO) facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dec. 9, 2022... MORE

Military members in uniform pose for a group photo

Commercial and government partnerships essential...

JCO global welcomes NZDF

JTF-SD commander attends inaugural NATO Space Op...

Department of Defense Releases Space Policy Revi...