U.S. Space Force establishes permanent presence in Hawaii

By Alfred Acenas
Eagle News Service

PEARL HARBOR (Eagle News) – The U.S. Space Force (USSF) officially presented U.S. Space Forces – IndoPacific (USPACEFOR-INDOPAC) during an activation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Tuesday, November 22.

With Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir in command, USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC will join US Army Pacific, US Pacific Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, Marine Forces Pacific, and Special Operations Command Pacific as the newest service component entity under the joint four-star US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) currently led by Navy Admiral John Aquilino.

USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC is the service’s second component to present forces to a combatant command and the first to stand up at an overseas combatant command.

Navy Admiral John Aquilino (left), Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, passes the colors of the US Space Forces Indo-Pacific to Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir during an activation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. (Photo courtesy US Department of Defense)

The component will be directly subordinate to the USSF Chief of Space Operations for the execution of responsibilities under U.S. Code Title 10 for service-specific administration and support functions; while concurrently serving INDOPACOM with space command and control, as well as organic planning and subject matter expertise in employing USSF assets.

“This is truly an historic moment for the Space Force,” said Chief of Space Operations General B. Chance Saltzman.  “This is an important step as we normalize Space into the joint force.  Given today’s multi-domain character of war, Space must be deeply integrated with the joint team.”

According to officials, having field components dedicated to Space removes layers of bureaucracy and aligns with how other services provide forces to the commander.  Additionally, activating the USSF component dedicated to the Indo-Pacific region provides clarity to command relationships, roles, and responsibilities.

USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC will provide INDOPACOM a cadre of space experts who can work with allies and partners to integrate space activities into our shared operations, activities, and investments.  By doing this, USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC enhances security stretching from the Indian Ocean across South and East Asia to the West coast of the United States.

Furthermore, USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC will promote regional stability and advance U.S. partnerships in the region.

“Today, we double down on our commitment to integrate space across all components, all domains,” said Brig. Gen. Mastalir.  “Our task is simple: ensure that warfighters in INDOPACOM maximize the combat effects available from space capabilities; capabilities across all services, U.S. Space Command, the intelligence community, and commercial space.”

USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC will be headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor – Hickam to maximize synergy with INDOPACOM Headquarters and the existing Air Operations Center.

Meanwhile, U.S. Space Force plans to establish two additional component field commands in the Middle East and Korea by the end of this year.

(Eagle News Service)