Structure of the United States Space Force#Space Staff

File:Space Staff Identification Badge.png

The Space Staff is the headquarters of the U.S. Space Force. Like the U.S. Air Force's Air Staff that is under the Department of the Air Force, it is overseen by the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. It is responsible for developing doctrine, guidance, and plans in performing the Space Force's functions, cooperating with the Air Staff on support issues. It is composed of the military service's most senior leaders: the chief of space operations, the vice chief of space operations, and the chief master sergeant of the Space Force. Like the other services, there is a director of staff who oversees the synchronization of policies and plans of the headquarters staff and four deputy chiefs of space operations.{{cite web |url=https://velosteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Space-Force-Report.pdf |title=Comprehensive Plan for the Organizational Structure of the U.S. Space Force |access-date=2020-03-13 |archive-date=2020-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205024728/https://velosteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Space-Force-Report.pdf |url-status=live }}

The Space Staff was designed to be lean. Compared to the Air Force's nine headquarters directorates, the Space Force merged nine functional areas into four directorates. Additionally, each of the four deputy chiefs of space operations has unofficial positional titles akin to that of corporate organizations: chief human capital officer, chief operations officer, chief technology and innovation officer, and chief strategy and resourcing officer. The chief human capital officer and chief technology and innovation officer positions are held by senior civilian officials at the SES-3 level, while both the chief operations officer and chief strategy and resourcing officer positions are filled by two lieutenant generals.{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/space-force-proposes-headquarters-staff-led-by-generals-and-civilians/|title=Space Force proposes headquarters staff led by generals and civilians|date=July 7, 2020|website=SpaceNews|access-date=February 21, 2021|archive-date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200707224749/https://spacenews.com/space-force-proposes-headquarters-staff-led-by-generals-and-civilians/|url-status=live}}

• 25pxChief of Space Operations (CSO): Gen B. Chance Saltzman
• 25pxVice Chief of Space Operations (VCSO): Gen Michael Guetlein
• 25pxDirector of Staff: Maj Gen Steven P. Whitney
• Deputy Director of Staff: Wade Yamada{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2417659/wade-s-yamada/|title=WADE S. YAMADA|website=www.af.mil|access-date=2021-02-22|archive-date=2021-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621115558/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2417659/wade-s-yamada/|url-status=live}}
• {{abbr|DCSO|Deputy Chief of Space Operations}} for Personnel (S1): Katharine Kelley{{cite web | url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3127833/katharine-kelley/ | title=Katharine Kelley | access-date=August 23, 2022 | archive-date=April 13, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413194746/https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3127833/katharine-kelley/ | url-status=dead }}
• Assistant DCSO for Personnel: Todd L. Remington{{cite web | url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3056804/todd-l-remington/ | title=Todd L. Remington | access-date=July 27, 2022 | archive-date=April 7, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407062516/https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3056804/todd-l-remington/ | url-status=dead }}
• DCSO for Intelligence (S2): Maj Gen Gregory Gagnon
• Assistant DCSO for Intelligence: Joseph D. Rouge{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108227/joseph-d-rouge/|title=JOSEPH D. ROUGE|website=www.af.mil|access-date=November 17, 2022|archive-date=November 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117101245/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108227/joseph-d-rouge/|url-status=live}}
• DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear (S3/4/6/7/10): Lt Gen DeAnna Burt
• Assistant DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear: Brig Gen James E. Smith
• Associate DCSO for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear: Bruce E. Hollywood{{cite web|title=Biography - Bruce E. Hollywood|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3057893/bruce-e-hollywood/|access-date=November 17, 2022|archive-date=November 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117102026/https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3057893/bruce-e-hollywood/|url-status=live}}
• Mobilization Assistant to the DCSO: Col Nathan D. Yates, USAF{{Cite web|url=https://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/About/Biographies/Display/Article/3442928/nathan-d-yates/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216125455/https://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/About/Biographies/Display/Article/3442928/nathan-d-yates/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 16, 2023|title=NATHAN D. YATES|website=Air Reserve Personnel Center}}
• DCSO for Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis (S5/8): Lt Gen Philip Garrant
• Assistant DCSO for Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis: Stephen L. Hart{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3197336/stephen-l-hart/|title=STEPHEN L. HART|website=www.spaceforce.mil|access-date=November 17, 2022|archive-date=November 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117101719/https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Display/Article/3197336/stephen-l-hart/|url-status=dead}}
• Director of Plans and Programs (S8): Brig Gen Robert Hutt, USAF
• Mobilization Assistant to the DCSO: Brig Gen Damon S. Feltman, USAF
• DCSO for Technology and Innovation (S9): Dr. Lisa Costa{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/SFB/Article/2794420/dr-lisa-a-costa/|title=Dr. LISA A. COSTA|website=www.spaceforce.mil}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Assistant DCSO for Technology and Innovation: Col Nathan Iven{{Cite web | url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniven/ | title=Nathan Iven - Acting Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data (SF/S6) - United States Space Force | website=LinkedIn}}
• Mobilization Assistant to the CSO: Maj Gen John M. Olson, USAF
• 25pxChief Master Sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF): CMSSF John Bentivegna

The Space Force field organization consist of three different echelons of command: field commands, deltas, and squadrons.{{cite web |last=Kirby |first=Lynn |url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2242267/ussf-field-command-structure-reduces-command-layers-focuses-on-space-warfighter |title=USSF field command structure reduces command layers, focuses on space warfighter needs |work=United States Space Force |date=30 June 2020 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=8 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408005609/https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2242267/ussf-field-command-structure-reduces-command-layers-focuses-on-space-warfighter/ |url-status=live }}

Field commands (FLDCOMs) align with specific mission focuses and are led by officers in the grade of lieutenant general or major general, comparable to the United States Air Force's major command. The Space Force's three field commands will be Space Operations Command (SpOC), Space Systems Command (SSC), and Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM).

{{Color box|#ffffcc|border=darkgray}} Denotes planned unit but not yet activated.

File:SpOC HQ Building 1 Sign (1).jpg Building, SpOC headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.]]

The Space Operations Command (SpOC) will be the primary force provider of space forces and capabilities. It is responsible for the organization, training, equipping, command and control, and employment of space forces to support operational plans and missions for U.S. combatant commanders. It is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/About-Space-Operations-Command|title=About Space Operations Command|website=www.spoc.spaceforce.mil|access-date=2020-10-24|archive-date=2020-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026055704/https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/About-Space-Operations-Command|url-status=live}}

Established on 21 October 2020, SpOC was the first field command activated. It was established by the redesignation of the headquarters of the former Air Force Space Command to Space Operations Command. It was composed of the 10 deltas and two garrisons activated on 24 July 2020. This included the Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) which served as the interim unit for space training and education until the August 2021 stand-up of a full field command. SpOC also maintained command of the two launch wings, which were later redesignated as launch deltas in 2021, previously under the Air Force Space Command until the establishment of the Space Systems Command.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2390148/space-force-activates-first-field-command/|title=Space Force activates first field command|website=United States Space Force|date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623094324/https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2390148/space-force-activates-first-field-command/|url-status=live}}

The 14th Air Force in Vandenberg Space Force Base, California that was temporarily redesignated Space Operations Command upon the creation of the Space Force was inactivated. A new unit, Space Operations Command West (SpOC West), was activated to serve as headquarters of the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC), a subordinate command of the United States Space Command. The SpOC West commander also served as the commander of CFSCC and as the deputy commander of SpOC.

File:Space Systems Command organizational chart in 2022.jpg

The Space Systems Command (SSC) is becoming responsible for developing, acquiring, and fielding space systems, as well as launch, sustainment, and maintenance of space systems. It also advises Space Force science and technology activities.

The Space Force on 8 April 2021 announced the planned structure of the SSC. Led by a lieutenant general, SSC was to be formed by redesignating the Space and Missile Systems Center, Commercial Satellite Communications Office, and other space systems programs offices transferred into the Space Force, being stood up in summer 2021. On July 29, Michael Guetlein was confirmed as its first commander by the United States Senate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2565803/space-systems-command-geared-to-deliver-swift-responsive-space-capabilities/|title=Space Systems Command geared to deliver swift, responsive space capabilities|website=United States Space Force|date=April 8, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021|archive-date=May 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522091622/https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2565803/space-systems-command-geared-to-deliver-swift-responsive-space-capabilities/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/823|title=PN823 - 1 nominee for Space Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)|date=July 29, 2021|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=August 3, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716192911/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/823|url-status=live}}

The ceremony installing him in command of the new SSC was held August 13, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2731535/ussf-establishes-2nd-field-command-guetlein-assumes-command/|title=USSF establishes 2nd Field Command, Guetlein assumes command|website=United States Space Force|date=August 13, 2021 |access-date=January 22, 2022|archive-date=January 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122044326/https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2731535/ussf-establishes-2nd-field-command-guetlein-assumes-command/|url-status=live}}

Under the new structure, the two launch deltas previously under SpOC were reassigned to SSC under the oversight of the SSC deputy commander. The commander of the Space Launch Delta 45 will take on additional duties as the field command's director of operations.

File:Space Training and Readiness Command emblem.png

The Space Training and Readiness Command was planned to train and educate space professionals, develop combat-ready space forces, and additionally taking on the roles of integrated testing and on-orbit checkout. Initially, before the activation of the command, a Space Training and Readiness Delta was established in July 2020 at Peterson SFB. STARCOM was activated on 23 August 2021, led by a major general.{{Cite web|title=Space Force activates Space Training and Readiness Command|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2742956/space-force-activates-space-training-and-readiness-command/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=United States Space Force|date=August 23, 2021 |language=en-US|archive-date=August 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823234543/https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2742956/space-force-activates-space-training-and-readiness-command/|url-status=live}} Five subordinate deltas then began being established: one each for training, doctrine and lessons learned, range and aggressor, test and evaluation, and education.

The Space Force has no command echelon equivalent of the U.S. Air Force′s numbered air forces,{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/space-force-to-stand-up-three-major-commands-lower-echelons-to-be-called-deltas/|title=Space Force to stand up three major commands, lower echelons to be called 'deltas'|first=Sandra|last=Erwin|date=June 30, 2020|website=SpaceNews|access-date=September 26, 2022|archive-date=December 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217085446/https://spacenews.com/space-force-to-stand-up-three-major-commands-lower-echelons-to-be-called-deltas/|url-status=live}} so the next command echelon below field commands is the delta, a single level of command which combines the wing and group command echelons found in the U.S. Air Force. Each delta is organized around a specific function, such as operations, installation support, or training, and is led by an officer in the grade of colonel. Space Deltas are operational organizations, but have no responsibility for base support, which is either the Air Force′s responsibility, or that of the Space Base Deltas, the former Garrisons.

The first 11 deltas in the Space Force initially were assigned to the Space Operations Command. Of those, two were realigned under the Space Systems Command, and the Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) became a separate field command.

{{Color box|#ffffcc|border=darkgray}} Denotes planned unit but not yet activated.

{{main|Squadron (aviation)}}

Below deltas in the Space Force structure are squadrons. Space Force squadrons are focused on specific tactics and are led by an officer in the grade of lieutenant colonel.

On 20 December 2019, Air Force Space Command's principal components were 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and the Space and Missile Systems Center. At the same time as the creation of the Space Force 14th Air Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command.{{Cite web |last=Chiles |first=Cody |url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2048114/14th-air-force-redesignated-as-space-operations-command |title=14th Air Force Redesignated as Space Operations Command |work=United States Space Force |date=27 December 2019 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615012133/https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2048114/14th-air-force-redesignated-as-space-operations-command |url-status=live }}

On 12 March 2019, the Space Development Agency (SDA), a new space-focused development agency, additional to the Space and Missile Systems Center and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, was established.{{cite news |last1=Browne |first1=Ryan |title=Pentagon launches development agency seen as key to future Space Force |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/13/politics/pentagon-space-force-agency/index.html |access-date=22 January 2020 |work=CNN |date=13 March 2019 |archive-date=29 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229182652/https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/13/politics/pentagon-space-force-agency/index.html |url-status=live }} It was established under the authority of the under secretary of defense for research and engineering.[https://www.cto.mil/ Archived copy] Retrieved May 2020 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817144245/https://www.cto.mil/ |date=2020-08-17 }} As of January 2020, the SDA is planned to become part of the U.S. Space Force in October 2022.{{cite news |author= Valerie Insinna |title= Space Development Agency on track to become part of Space Force in 2022, director says |url= https://www.defensenews.com/space/2020/01/21/space-development-agency-on-track-to-become-part-of-space-force-in-2022-director-says/ |access-date= 15 May 2020 |work= Defense News |date= 21 January 2020 |archive-date= January 21, 2020 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20200121191732/https://www.defensenews.com/space/2020/01/21/space-development-agency-on-track-to-become-part-of-space-force-in-2022-director-says/ |url-status= live }}

In early April 2020, a list of twenty-three units to be transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force was publicly reported.{{Cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |url=https://spacenews.com/u-s-air-force-to-transfer-23-units-to-the-space-force/ |title=U.S. Air Force to transfer 23 units to the Space Force |website=SpaceNews |date=31 March 2020 |access-date=30 June 2020 }} Those units included the 17th Test Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado; 18th Intelligence Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; the 25th Space Range Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO; the 328th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV; the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, Schriever AFB, CO; the 7th Intelligence Squadron, 659th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, 70th ISR Wing, Ft. Meade, Maryland*; Sixteenth Air Force/Advanced Programs*, Schriever AFB, Colorado; the 32nd Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Maryland*; the 566th Intelligence Squadron, Buckley AFB, Colorado*; the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, Group Staff & Detachment 5, Peterson AFB, Colorado; D the 533d Training Squadron, 381st Training Group, Vandenberg AFB, CA (initial training); the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Research Lab Mission Execution, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio*; the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico*; the AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division, Edwards AFB, CA; the AFRL Electro-Optical Division, Maui, Hawaii & Kirtland AFB, New Mexico*; the AFRL Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio*; the Counter-Space Analysis Squadron and the Space Analysis Squadron, collectively half of the Space and Missiles Analysis Group, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, both at Wright-Patterson AFB; the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 4, Peterson AFB, CO; and the Air Force Safety Center – Space Safety Division, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

Detachment 1, USAF Warfare Center, Schriever AFB, Colorado; Operating Location A, 705th Combat Training Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colorado (ultimately part of the 505th Command and Control Wing), and the National Security Space Institute, Peterson AFB, CO [https://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/250691/national-security-space-institute-a-place-for-space-education/ National Security Space Institute, a place for space education]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} became eventually part of the STAR Delta.

In September 2021 it was announced the 53rd Signal Battalion, the U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade, and the Naval Satellite Operations Center would be transferred to Space Force.{{cite news |author= Erwin, Sandra |title= Space Force reveals which Army and Navy units are moving to the space branch |url= https://spacenews.com/space-force-reveals-which-army-and-navy-units-are-moving-to-the-space-branch/ |access-date= November 2, 2022 |work= Space News |date= September 21, 2021 |archive-date= July 4, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220704110454/https://spacenews.com/space-force-reveals-which-army-and-navy-units-are-moving-to-the-space-branch/ |url-status= live }}

File:U.S. Space Force patch shapes.png

Each unit in the Space Force has an emblem in a shape depending on the unit type.{{Cite web|url=http://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceForce/comments/i4x4ii/approved_ussf_patch_shapes_5_aug_2020/|title=Approved USSF Patch Shapes (5 Aug 2020)|date=August 6, 2020|access-date=January 22, 2022|archive-date=January 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122044324/https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceForce/comments/i4x4ii/approved_ussf_patch_shapes_5_aug_2020/|url-status=live}} Each of the three field commands also have a distinctive color: Silver Grey for SpOC, Golden yellow for SSC, and Bluebird (Replacing initial Cannes Blue color) for STARCOM. Units assigned to Space Forces Space (a component field command) will use Brick Red as a distinctive color. Unit emblems are trimmed with the color of the field command to which they report. Space Force personnel assigned to National Reconnaissance Office roles will wear insignia trimmed in Black.

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