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Happy 2nd birthday to our newest modern military defense team the United States Space Force.
Today, we’re celebrating the innovative Guardians tasked with protecting our interests in space and exploring new technologies to improve our way of life on Earth.
A Falcon 9 rocket launches on Jan. 6, 2020, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket, carrying an installment of Starlink satellites, was the first official launch of the United States Space Force. Photo from spaceforce.mil
Below we are sharing some history, photos and fun facts to help celebrate this milestone.
Q: When was the U.S. Space Force (USSF) founded?
A: The USSF is the newest branch of the Armed Forces. It was established December 20, 2019.
Q: Where is the USSF initial headquarters located?
A: The USSF Headquarters and Office of the Chief of Space Operations (CSO) is located in the Pentagon, just like the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The initial staff for the CSO began standing up with the president’s signature of the FY20 NDAA. This staff immediately focused on establishing a fully functioning headquarters; preparing to execute the full scope of its organize, train, and equip responsibilities; and, in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force, developing a detailed plan to transfer forces into the U.S. Space Force. The office will also maintain a critical command element at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., comprised of staff from the former Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) headquarters.
Q: Why do we need a Space Force?
A: Space has become essential to our security and prosperity – so much so that we need a branch of our military dedicated to its defense, just like we have branches of the military dedicated to protecting and securing the air, land, and sea. Unfettered access to space is vital to national defense. Space systems are woven into the fabric of our way of life. Space affects almost every part of our daily lives and is fundamental to our economic system. For example, satellites not only power the GPS technology that we use daily, but allow us to surf the web and call our friends, enable first responders to communicate with each other in times of crisis, time-stamp transactions in the world financial market, and even allow us to use credit cards at gas pumps.
Fun facts:
The first mission for the United States Space Force was on March 26, 2020, deploying the final Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite to provide secure communications for the US military and its allies.
Space X, Falcon 9 Booster Rocket is a reusable rocket. As they make their way back down to earth, if you are close enough, you can hear and feel two sonic booms.
When my Navy submariner spouse was stationed at Kings Bay Submarine Base, Ga., we made the trek down to the Space Coast one off-crew to watch a space shuttle launch. It was like watching a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, except it was real life. The extremely bright explosion and power displayed in the darkness was enough to warrant sunglasses. The tremendous LOUD sound, even though we were miles away, made for incredible heart-pumping experience. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It opened my mind to dream bigger as I was in awe of the power of such a technology and the bravery of those on board. The exploration of space and the technology behind it is something servicemembers can now explore as many are making decisions to transfer from other branches into the new Space Force.
Share your space-related memory and birthday wishes for the U.S. Space Force!
Source: spaceforce.mil
Related information:
Learn more about the USSF History
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