Joint Functional Component Command for Space
The Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC SPACE) was a component of U.S. Strategic Command. The Command was established on 19 July 2006, and activated on 12 September 2006,[1] under the command of General William L. Shelton. The JFCC SPACE is headquartered at Vandenberg AFB, California, and was formed from the division of Joint Functional Component Command for Space and Global Strike (JFCC SGS) into two separate commands, JFCC SPACE and Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike and Integration (JFCC GSI). It was inactivated on 1 December 2017 when it was replaced by the Joint Force Space Component.[2]
CDR JFCC SPACE is also the Commander of Fourteenth Air Force (Air Force Space Command). While the Implementation Directive was signed 19 July, the JFCC SPACE activation ceremony was held 12 September 2006 at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Gen James E. Cartwright (CDRUSSTRATCOM) presided over the ceremony where he presented the JFCC SPACE colors to Maj Gen William L. Shelton.[3]
On April 4, 2017, Joint Functional Component Command for Space was renamed National Space Defense Center, "so that everybody can understand finally what it is,” as STRATCOM Chief, General John Hyten, put it.[4]
On December 1, 2017, Joint Functional Component Command for Space was inactivated, restructured and reorganized as Joint Force Space Component command under USSTRATCOM.[5]
Mission
According to Gen Shelton, "Our prime mission directive in JFCC SPACE is to ensure our freedom of action in space, while preventing adversary use of space against us."[1] To do this, the component optimizes planning, execution, and force management, as directed by the commander of USSTRATCOM, of the assigned missions of coordinating, planning, and conducting space operations.[6]
JFCC SPACE's responsibilities include the United States Space Surveillance Network.[7]
Past Commanders
- Lt Gen William L. Shelton, July 2006 to December 2008
- Lt Gen Larry D. James, December 2008 to January 2011
- Lt Gen Susan J. Helms, January 2011 to January 2014
- Lt Gen John W. Raymond, January 2014 to August 2015
- Lt Gen David J. Buck, August 2015 to December 2017
References
- 1 2 Airman 1st Class Erica Stewart. "JFCC Space activates at Vandenberg". Vandenberg AFB public website. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2006.
- ↑ Joint space forces restructure, AFSPC commander becomes JFSCC, 4 Dec 2017
- ↑ "Biography of William L. Shelton". Air Force Link. Archived from the original on 6 December 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2006.
- ↑ Wilson Brissett, "JICSPOC Renamed National Space Defense Center," Air Force Magazine, (April 5, 2017), http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2017/April%202017/April%2005%202017/JICSPOC-Renamed-National-Space-Defense-Center.aspx
- ↑ AFSPC commander becomes JFSCC, joint space forces restructure
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 February 2007. Retrieved 7 January 2007.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- USSTRATCOM Public Affairs – History Retrieved on 12 January 2008.
- USSTRATCOM Public Affairs- Organization (Functional Component) Retrieved on May 2008.