U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific News

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Brig. Gen. Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, gives a speech to attendees during a USSF fifth anniversary celebration at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Dec. 19, 2024. The U.S. Space Force was established Dec. 20, 2019, when the National Defense Authorization Act was enacted by U.S. Congress, thus creating the first new branch of the armed services in 73 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Wren Fiontar)

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Attendees listen as Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, gives a speech at the U.S. Space Forces fifth anniversary ceremony held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Dec. 19, 2024. The Indo-Pacific space component has operated for the past two years and is still growing, with new establishments in the Republic of Korea and Japan, the recent addition of Defenders to the Indo-Pacific has already produced nearly 10,000 hours of space operations analysis to help efficiently integrate space operations into an improved joint force mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Wren Fiontar)

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The Hickam Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors at opening of the U.S. Space Forces fifth anniversary ceremony held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Dec. 19, 2024. Establishment of the USSF was due to widespread recognition that the space domain was a modern national security imperative when combined with a growing threat posed by near-peer competitors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Wren Fiontar)

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Brig. Gen. Mastalir (right), U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, welcomes the youngest Guardian those in attendance for a cake cutting activity at the close of the USSF fifth anniversary celebration at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Dec. 19, 2024. The U.S. Space Force was established Dec. 20, 2019, when the National Defense Authorization Act was enacted by U.S. Congress, thus creating the first new branch of the armed services in 73 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Wren Fiontar)

U.S. Space Force Indo-Pacific Celebrates Its Service’s 5th Anniversary

Published Dec. 19, 2024
By Staff Sgt. Wren Fiontar
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --

The U.S. Space Force Indo-Pacific command proudly celebrated the Space Force’s fifth anniversary milestone with a ceremony featuring Guardians alongside other services’ members and community officials at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI, Dec. 19, 2024.

Established by Congress Dec. 20, 2019, Space Force has quickly become a vital branch of the U.S. military, alongside the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Its Guardians are responsible for tracking tens of thousands of space objects, protecting U.S. and allied interests in space, and conducting military space operations including space domain awareness, missile warning, satellite communication, navigation, and supporting critical intelligence and cyber operations.

“The establishment of the Space Force marked a significant milestone in our nation's history. It signaled a commitment to securing and advancing our interests in space, a domain that is crucial for national security and global stability,” said Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, SPACEFOR-INDOPAC commander. “Our adversaries understand the importance of space power and are moving quickly to not only build up their own space architectures, but to disrupt, degrade, and destroy our space capabilities.”

The idea of a military service dedicated to space was first considered in the 1980s, and then again in the 1990s. Ultimately, the growing challenge from improved Chinese and Russian space capabilities spurred the creation of the sixth branch of the U.S. armed forces with the enactment of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

“We’re just starting our long journey,” Mastalir said. “But we have the strong support of those services here before us and the incredible talent and dedication of our Guardians. There’s little doubt the Space Force will be a guiding star as we continue pushing boundaries and achieving greatness.”

Space operations were originally managed by Air Force Space Command, a major command within the U.S. Air Force. However, the Space Force now serves as a dedicated military branch with global responsibilities.

While still aligned under the Department of the Air Force, the Space Force takes the Air Force credo of “Aim High,” to new heights with its own motto “Semper Supra,” which is Latin for ‘Always Above.’ This motto denotes the service’s role in establishing, maintaining and preserving U.S. freedom of operations in the ultimate high ground.