MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. \u2014 U.S. Space Forces Special Operations Command, or SPACEFOR-SOC, formally activated today as the newest service component of U.S. Special Operations Command.<\/p>\n
Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, SPACEFOR-SOC organizes and presents specialized forces \u2013 known as SOF Guardians \u2013 to Theater Special Operations Commands and Joint Task Forces worldwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Guardians of SPACEFOR-SOC are shaping how our special operations leaders see the world through the space domain lens, bringing critical, cutting-edge space expertise directly to the combatant command headquarters,\u201d said Gen. Douglas Schiess, Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force. \u201cWhen special operators go into harm’s way, they do so with the confidence that the Space Force is securing the ultimate high ground to enable the Joint fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
The activation establishes SPACEFOR-SOC as the dedicated Space Force service component to USSOCOM, joining Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps special operations components as USSOCOM\u2019s first new service component since 2006. The command, which took administrative effect Oct. 7, is commanded by Col. Peter \u201cCharlie\u201d Norsky.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the SOF enterprise, this activation provides an enduring and accountable way to integrate space power into special operations,\u201d said Adm. Frank \u201cMitch\u201d Bradley, commander of USSOCOM. \u201cFor the Space Force, it provides a direct operational connection to one of the Joint Force\u2019s most demanding mission sets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through an operational capability known as Space Special Warfare, the command deploys small, modular teams integrating space, cyber, and intelligence specialists to deliver mobile, low-signature space capabilities in contested and communications-degraded environments.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday’s ceremony celebrates an enduring commitment that the Space Force has made to present specially trained SOF Guardians, equipped with SOF-peculiar space capabilities, to USSOCOM,\u201d said Col. Charlie Norsky, commander of SPACEFOR-SOC. \u201cThese Guardians, assigned to SOF formations in Space Special Warfare Teams, will be capable of integrating Guardian power at scale across the SOF enterprise.\u201d<\/p>\n