Unit Name: | Combined Force Space Component Command |
Start Date: | 29 August 2019 |
End Date: | 6 December 2023 |
Country: | |
Type: | Subordinate command |
Role: | Tactical control of space forces |
Size: | 17,000 personnel [1] |
Command Structure: | Combined Joint Task Force–Space Operations |
Garrison Label: | Headquarters |
Garrison: | Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, U.S. |
Identification Symbol Label: | Flag |
Commander1 Label: | Commander |
Commander2 Label: | Deputy Commander |
Commander3 Label: | Senior Enlisted Leader |
The Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) was a U.S.-led multinational[2] [3] subordinate command of United States Space Command. It was responsible for tactical control of American and multinational space forces. The CFSCC's mission was to "plan, integrate, conduct, and assess global space operations in order to deliver combat relevant space capabilities to Combatant Commanders, Coalition partners, the Joint Force, and the Nation."[4] It was established on 29 August 2019.
The United States Space Force's Space Operations Command West served as the headquarters and staff for the Combined Force Space Component Command.[5]
CFSCC was inactivated on 6 December 2023 with the activation of United States Space Forces – Space.[6] [7] [8] On 8 January 2024, a ceremony was held to inactivate CFSCC.[9]
The Combined Force Space Component Command's included four centers:
The Combined Force Space Component Command was established immediately after the establishment of United States Space Command on August 29, 2019. In addition to having tactical control of Space Force, Army, Navy, and multinational forces, the CFSCC also plans and executes space operations. The CFSCC both executes space operations and integrates space effects and support within the existing combatant commands. The CFSCC also provides support to, and receives support from, Coalition operations centers including the Australian Space Operations Centre, part of Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Canadian Space Operations Centre, and United Kingdom Space Operations Centre.
In addition the CFSCC commands and controls assigned multinational forces in support of Operation Olympic Defender. Olympic Defender is aimed at "strengthening allies’ abilities to deter hostile actions by rivals."[10] British Defense Minister Penny Mordaunt told delegates to a July 2019 conference that "over the next 18 months.. Britain will send eight personnel" to the CFSCC to help "“strengthen deterrence against hostile actors in space."[10] Olympic Defender, dating to 2013, "coordinate[s] allies’ efforts to protect key satellites."[11]
The CFSCC specifically commands space domain awareness, space electronic warfare, satellite communications, missile warning, nuclear detonation detection, environmental monitoring, military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, navigation warfare, command and control, and positioning, navigation, and timing.
A ceremony recognizing the establishment of the CFSCC occurred on October 1, 2019 at Vandenberg AFB.[12]
Listed featured units on the CFSCC's webpage include the Combined Space Operations Center/Space Delta 5; the Commercial Integration Cell (CIC); the three other operations centers listed above; the U.S. Army 1st Space Brigade; Space Deltas 2, 3, 4, and 8; and the U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade (which is being transferred to the Space Force[13]).
The Commercial Integration Cell (CIC) enables operational and technology exchange between operators at the Combined Space Operations Center and commercial satellite owner operator partners to assist real‐time and near real‐time information flow during daily routine operations and to enable rapid, informed response to critical unplanned space events or other activities.