- First Space Force headquarters created overseas.
- The newest US military branch had its first formal presence in Korea.
- “My guardians and I are ready to fight day or night”, says commander.
The US military established the first Space Force headquarters outside of the country on Wednesday in South Korea, and the unit’s new commander declared that he is ready to face any regional threats.
The establishment of US Space Forces At a time when China has been bolstering its ballistic missile forces and North Korea has been testing ballistic missiles at a record rate, Korea offers the newest branch of the US military its first formal presence on the Korean Peninsula.
The new unit “will be tasked with coordinating space operations and services such as missile warning, position navigation and timing and satellite communications within the region,” according to US Forces Korea.
A ceremony to officially introduce the new unit was held in a hanger at the US 7th Air Force’s installation, Osan Air Base, near Pyeongtaek, 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Seoul.
Asked what potential adversaries like Beijing or Pyongyang could take from the formation of the unit, Space Forces Korea commander Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion said he hoped it would have a deterrent effect. “The hope is that they see we are ready,” he said.
“Myself and my guardians are ready to go, day or night,” he said, using the official term for US Space Force members.
“That’s (the message) we want the adversary, whoever that adversary is, to take.”
The new force, which became a distinct military branch in December 2019, has been the target of media criticism, with some criticizing its relative youth and drawing comparisons to “Star Trek,” McCullion acknowledged.
However, he cautioned against underestimating the power of the force.
“We are a young force, that’s exactly part of the game we’re playing right now. We just have to build and grow.”
At the ceremony on Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, who unveiled the new unit, said it was a demonstration of “integrated deterrence” that showed off the US and its allies’ “unparalleled” capacity to project power on land, at sea, in the air, and now in space.
“This new command will ensure that the space capabilities enabling integrated deterrence are ready to fight tonight,” Mastalir said, adding that the force is ready to face any adversary in the new command’s area of operations.
US Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of US Forces Korea, observed that while North Korea and Iran were both working against US interests in space, China and Russia have developed anti-satellite weapons.
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