Description
PVC made/mounted on velcro 4.0 inch-100mm
US SPACE FORCES-CENTRAL
U.S. Space Forces – Central, stationed at McDill AFB, FL, directs joint space operations to protect and defend U.S., allied, and partner forces operating within the USCENTCOM area of responsibility, and deny adversary use of space capabilities, when directed. U.S. Space Forces – Central conducts space operations and space international engagement activities in coordination with USCENTCOM components and subordinate operational commands, partners in the USCENTCOM region, and other U.S. government agencies. Additionally, U.S. Space Forces – Central facilitates the joint force’s access to space capabilities provided by USSPACECOM and other space organizations. In accordance with the USCENTCOM activation order, Brig. Gen. Benson also serves as the theater Combined Forces Space Component Commander and the theater Space Coordinating Authority.
Establishment.
Initial plans for establishment of Space Force component field commands started in 2021 when then Colonel Anthony Mastalir was assigned as director of space forces at the Ninth Air Force and stand up the USSPACEFOR-CENT. USSPACEFOR-CENT was supposed to be the first Space Force component field command. In Nov 2021, Secretary Frank Kendall III approved the creation of Space Force elements in U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, but establishing those elements as component commands required Joint Chiefs of Staff approval.
By May 2022, plans were changed to first establish the United States Space Forces Indo-Pacific (USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC) because China being the pacing threat. Mastalir then returned to Vandenberg and was replaced by Colonel Christopher S. Putman as director of space forces. On 22 Nov 2022, USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC was established and Mastalir took the helm as its first commander.
Prior to the establishment of USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC, General David D. Thompson announced that the USSPACEFOR-CENT would be established shortly after the establishment of USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC. On 2 Dec 2022, USSPACEFOR-CENT was established. It is initially composed of 28 personnel and Putman serves as its first commander.
On 12 Mar 2024, the component field command established the U.S. Space Forces Central Combat Detachment 3-1 (CDet 3–1), tasked with providing command and control for SPACECENT teams in the region that provide space-based capabilities such as missile warning detection, ensuring reliable communications and GPS.