United States Space Force facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United States Space Force |
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Seal of the United States Space Force
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| Founded | 20 December 2019 (as an independent service) 1 September 1982 (41 years, 7 months as Air Force Space Command) |
| Country |  United States |
| Type | Space force |
| Role | Space warfare |
| Size | 16,000 assigned |
| Part of |  Department of the Air Force |
| Headquarters | The Pentagon Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Anniversaries | 20 December |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief |  President Donald Trump |
| Secretary of Defense |  Mark T. Esper |
| Secretary of the Air Force |  Barbara Barrett |
| Chief of Space Operations |  General John W. Raymond |
The United States Space Force (USSF) is a part of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is focused on war in space. It is the sixth branch of the U.S. military.
Initially formed as Air Force Space Command on 1 September 1982, the Space Force was established as an independent military branch on 20 December 2019, with the signing of the United States Space Force Act, part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2020.
It is a part of the Department of the Air Force, one of the three parts of the Department of Defense. Because of this, the Space Force is led by the Secretary of the Air Force, who is under the Secretary of Defense. The leader of the Space Force is called the Chief of Space Operations.
Contents
History
On June 18, 2018, Donald Trump announced in an address to the National Space Council a directive that requests the creation of a sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces.
The president announced his intention for The Pentagon to create the 'Space Force' as an independent service branch, separate from the United States Air Force.
However, Trump's then Defense Secretary James Mattis and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson think it is a bad idea because it is "complex" and will override the Air Force's job. Many US Senators stated they would rather create a Space Corps inside the Air Force. The Air Force has had a "Space Command" since September 1, 1982. General John W. Raymond is nominated to be commander of Space Command in April 2019. His nomination will be heard in United State Senate in June 2019. He was previously head of U.S. Air Force Space Command.
Vice President Mike Pence in August 2018 announced a plan that would create the Space Force by 2020.
On 20 December 2019, the Space Force became the sixth armed service branch. General John W. Raymond became the first Chief of Space Operations. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett approved the moving of part of the Air Force to the Space Force and making it the Space Operations Command. This happened on 20 December 2019.
Functions and duties
Functions
The United States Space Force Act says that it will exist to make sure that the United States can operate freely in space. It ensures that they can conduct military actions in space quickly and for a long time.
Duties
Its duties are to protect the interests of the United States in space. It also prevents attacks on the United States in and from space, and to generally operate in space.
Organization
The Space Force is one of two equal parts of the Department of the Air Force. The other one is the United States Air Force. Both are run by the Secretary of the Air Force.
The leader of the Space Force is the Chief of Space Operations (CSO), who is a general. The Chief of Space Operations will become a member of the Joint Staff one year after the Space Force Act was passed.
About 16,000 Air Force members are going to become part of the Space Force while the branch becomes part of the U.S. Armed Forces. It will have its own way of training members, and will create uniforms, ranks, logo, patch, awards, and an official song. This is supposed to happen within 18 months after the Space Force became independent.
Structure
Space Operations Command (SPOC), Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
21st Space Wing (21 SW), Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
30th Space Wing (30 SW), Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
45th Space Wing (45 SW), Patrick Air Force Base, Florida
50th Space Wing (50 SW), Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado
460th Space Wing (460 SW), Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
614th Air Operations Center (614 AOC), Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
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Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
61st Air Base Group (61 ABG), Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
Images for kids
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Organization of the United States Space Force Within the Department of Defense
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The Air Force Academy commissioned the first Space Force officers on 18 April 2020.
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General Bernard Schriever was the father of the military space program.
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Air Force Space Command shield
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U.S. Space Force logo used from 20 December 2019 on public social media accounts
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President Donald Trump signs the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which established the Space Force, in Hangar 6 at Joint Base Andrews, 20 December 2019. General John "Jay" Raymond, the first Chief of Space Operations, stands on the left.
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See also
In Spanish: Fuerza Espacial de los Estados Unidos para niños
