Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense (JFCC IMD) is a component of United States Space Command (USSPACECOM). The current commander is Army Lieutenant General Sean A. Gainey.[1] The current senior enlisted leader is Space Force Chief Master Sergeant Michael A. Payuyo.
JFCC IMD was established to optimize planning, execution and force management, as directed by HQ USSTRATCOM, of deterring attacks against the United States, its territories, possessions and bases. In addition, JFCC IMD would employ appropriate forces, should deterrence fail, and the associated mission of planning, integrating and coordinating global missile defense operations and support for missile defense.
JFCC IMD originated in the Implemented Directive issued by the Commander, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) in January 2005. The JFCCs were formed to further operationalize USSTRATCOM missions and allow the Headquarters, USSTRATCOM to focus on strategic-level integration and advocacy. JFCC IMD is responsible for planning and coordinating global operations and support for integrated missile defense. The JFCC IMD will conduct operational and tactical level planning and day-to-day employment of assigned and attached missile defense forces for USSTRATCOM integrated missile defense operations, to include integrated missile defense planning and operational support responsibilities with other combatant commands, the Missile Defense Agency and joint service components.[2] HQ USSTRATCOM will retain the responsibility for advocacy of system-level missile defense capabilities, integration of missile defense into strategic level planning and military assessments of missile defense capabilities. Strategic Level Intelligence support will be provided by Defense Intelligence Agency’s Joint Intelligence Operations Center.
In 2023, JFCC IMD was transferred to the United States Space Command.[3]
THE SHIELD IS HISTORICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH DEFENSE AS THE SHIELD WAS USED IN COUNTLESS CONFLICTS IN HUMAN HISTORY TO PROVIDE SAFETY FROM OFFENSIVE ATTACKS. THE SHIELD SHAPE IS USED TO SYMBOLIZE JFCC-IMD’S MISSION OF GLOBAL DEFENSE, PROTECTION, AND SUPPORT. THE BLACK BACKGROUND REPRESENTS THE VAST DARKNESS OF SPACE AND SIGNIFIES JFCC-IMD’S ASSOCIATION AND MISSION TO USSPACECOM, PROVIDING THE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AND CAPABILITIES FOR INTEGRATED, TRANS-REGIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE, ENCOMPASSING THREATS CROSSING INTO THE DOMAIN OF SPACE. THE GLOBE, AS VIEWED FROM SPACE, SIGNIFIES THE ORIGIN AND CONTROL POINT FOR WHICH INTEGRATED MISSILE DEFENSE ASSETS BEGIN, AND ILLUSTRATES THE GLOBAL MISSION AREA AND SPAN OF OPERATIONS THAT JFCC-IMD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE COLOR SILVER, AND SILVER BORDER SIGNIFIES THE CONSTANT PRESENCE OF MISSILE DEFENSE GLOBALLY AND THE COMMAND’S VIGILANCE FOR THE WORLD, SPACE, AND THE FUTURE. THE RED ARROW REPRESENTS AN ADVERSARY’S THREAT LAUNCHED FROM AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION SIGNIFYING THE GLOBAL RESPONSE THAT JFCC-IMD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE OLYMPIAN DEITY APOLLO IS TRADITIONALLY KNOWN AS THE GOD OF ARCHERY, AS WELL AS THE GOD OF PROTECTION, AND IS ALSO CALLED “AVERTER OF EVIL”. APOLLO IS DEPICTED SHOOTING AN ARROW TO REPRESENT JFCC-IMD’S CONNECTION WITH THE WARFIGHTER TO DETER EVIL AND TAKING KINETIC ACTION IN DEFENSE OF AN ADVERSARY’S ATTACK. THE BLUE ARROW SHOT BY APOLLO FROM AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION REPRESENTS THE COUNTER-ATTACK BY THE INTEGRATED U.S. BLUE FORCES AND ALLIES TO INTERCEPT AN INCOMING THREAT IN DEFENSE. THE INTERCEPT IS DEPICTED ABOVE THE GLOBE, AND ILLUSTRATES THE CONVERGENCE OF SPACE AND MISSILE DEFENSE. THE SET OF THREE SILVER STARS FORMING AN ARC AT THE TOP REPRESENT THE THREE-STAR COMMANDER OF JOINT FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT COMMAND FOR INTEGRATED MISSILE DEFENSE.
JFCC-IMD is responsible for USSPACECOM integrated missile defense planning and operational support to include operational and tactical level plan development, force execution and day-to-day management of assigned and attached missile defense forces. JFCC IMD is co-located with MDA at Schriever SFB. Current operation areas include:
The Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Education and Training Center (JBMDETC) is now a Joint Center of Excellence.[4] JBMDETC is operated by JFCC IMD at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. Established as part of the Missile Defense Agency in 2005, it was transferred to JFCC IMD in 2013.