Space Force Gen. John W. Raymond, chief of space operations and commander of U.S. Space Command, gives a keynote address on space from an international perspective during the Chief of the Air Staff’s Air and Space Power Conference 2020, July 15, 2020. The London-based conference is being held virtually.
Transcript
Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to participate in the chief of the Air staff’s Virtual Air and Space Power Conference. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to address this form. The progress we’re making to elevate space is remarkable, and this is absolutely, absolutely the most exciting time to be in the space business. The United States has no closer partner than the United Kingdom, a strong relationship based on common democratic ideals and values, reinforced through clothes and enduring security cooperation. We should take this time today to reflect on our alliance to protect and defend the space to me. Together, we’re making historic leaps to secure space superiority for our nations. There is no way I can do justice to every one of our combined efforts and the time allotted. But I am confident when we look back on these times. 30 years from now, your airman and our space professionals will be in all of the accomplishments that we’ve made together protecting and defending space. Thank you to my fellow air chief and friend, Air Chief Marshal Michael Winston and the Air and Space Association for inviting me to participate. I also want to thank Air Vice Marshal Marshall did good and Air Vice Marshal Smyth for their kind words and introduction. Unfortunately, Kobe, 19 prevents us from meeting in person. But in times like these, we must have the ability to adapt and overcome. Winston Churchill is often quoted as saying to each, There comes in their lifetime a special moment where they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and asked to choose to do a very special thing unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour. Churchill in the Royal Air Force, rose to the occasion then and fought on prepared for a new era of contested air operations ads on the face of changing threats to our civilization. While this pandemic will be in our midst for sometime, we must not allow it to stall, are thinking or our preparation for a future of contested space operations and our responsibility to protect and defend critical space infrastructure. Therefore, what I’d like to discuss today is the importance of our enduring space alliance and the United States Space Force’s role in securing all domain information advantage. Our strategic competitors have the means to attack space operations wherever they occur. Kinetically and non connect lee on Earth, in orbit, in cyberspace and in the electromagnetic spectrum, These overlapping battle spaces result in space operations, which are increasingly complex, congested, competitive and contested across the conflict continue From Grey Zone two major combat operations. It is clear that space has become a war fighting domain, just like air, land and sea and space security and the information advantage that provides are no longer a given. As we organized a protecting defense space, our force structure must also seamlessly integrate and a joint and coalition warfighting missions, regardless of where the mission occurs. The accelerating advance of technology poses challenges for forces operating in all domains. Winning in the future will be less dependent on individual capabilities, but will demand that close and rapid integration and employment of platforms, information, data and intelligence to create multiple dilemmas. For an adversary as America’s outermost force, the space force has a global perspective and unique ability to access and integrate forces in every domain. In the future, spacecraft become part of a fully networked and resilient Command, control and Communications Architecture, which connects global forces, senses persistently refuses data and employees shooters against the most important kinetic and non kinetic targets, all done at machine speeds. This vision is grand, and the U. S will not be able to achieve it on our own. There is a large imperative toe work together with our allies and partners to accelerate these key concepts and technologies. As the world’s oldest independent air force, the Royal Air Force has been resilient and respected since 1918. With age comes experience. This time, 80 years ago, nearly 3000 pilots from the Royal Air Force were engaged in the Battle of Britain, one of the most significant air battles in our history. Despite our physical separation, please know that I am honored to commemorate and celebrate those who made this remarkable aerial aerial victory possible. Together, our nations have fought in both World wars Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Somalia and today’s war on terror. And this unity remains so important. Today we have partnered in space for nearly 50 years. Therefore, it is only fitting that we look towards the future with the Royal Air Force by our side protecting and defending our way of life as allies and partners. You provide integrated capabilities and forces along with unique perspectives, regional relationships and the information that improves our understanding of space. To me, in short, our relationships with the Royal Air Force is a prime example of why the United States National Defense Strategy directs us to strengthen alliances and attract new partners. We’re stronger together, especially in the space to make. When the space force was established on December 20th 2019 charged with taking a clean sheet approach to build a 21st century service, one of the first things across my mind was, how do I take this new independent service and enhance its competitive edge in space? First, I was very lucky to have General David Goldfein is a wingman and a friend. His support standing up The Space Force has been unm s and we’ll miss him. But I also know that our air forces will be served by General CQ Brown. He is the right strategic thinker and warrior to take over Diego Dave Goldfein and to move the service into the future. And I’m honored to serve alongside when I looked at all the different flags flying on our space force bases. I’m always reminded that collaboration and cooperation with our allies is where we gain competitive events. As I have said many times, the United States does not go to war loan, and I could not imagine a better friend and ally in the Royal Air Force. The world greatly appreciates the contributions you and your nation bring to the fight. Our alliance serves as an anchor for peace and stability around the globe. Most importantly, you’re committed to advancing space power capabilities be a close, nearly seamless integration. The United Kingdom was the first international partner to join with the United States and a coalition to bolster space defenses against key competitors. Through Operation Olympic Defender, We’re optimizing space operations, improving Mr Insurance, enhancing resilience and synchronizing US efforts and capabilities with those of our closest allies so that we can deter hostile acts in space and protect vital national capabilities. The results of this partnership are obvious that the Combined Space Operations Center or see spot where our coalition is continuously coordinating planning, integrating, synchronizing and executing space operations, providing on demand and Taylor space effects to support commanders around the globe committed Operation Olympic Defenders success. The UK provides key personnel to fill critical leadership roles within the Combined Space Operations Center. Group Captain Darren Whiteley, the See Spot deputy director, was the first coalition partner Design an order under Olympic defender tasking supported space units. The UK is also represented across the intelligence strategy plans. Current operations divisions at the See spot by wing commander Ben Large and Flight Lieutenant Rob Mitchie and flight Lieutenant Steve Malin, who enhanced our ability to support the combined warfighter. More specifically, fight with Tenet. Malin has ensured that every intelligence product produced that the see spot is releasable to key partners and often to a much wider audience. At the tactical level, UK operators are working alongside American and Canadian colleagues in the 18 Space Control Squadron to help deliver foundational space domain awareness to assure a global freedom of action in space. Corporal Steven, winner in his first few months of the 18th has already impressed his peers and leadership. Corporal Winner was selected to lead an established the in its multi national planning cell, providing vital support the launches and playing key roles in the recent Russian anti satellite launch and Space X Dragon to mission at the 11th Space Warning Squadron Sergeant Mark Woman Weapons and Tactics Flight chief is an outstanding operator. Recently recognized that the units flight chief of the year for his efforts to develop new capabilities, test innovative orbital warfare tactics and lead over 350 personnel through advanced training scenarios. He has recently assumed the role of acting squadron superintendent, and we look forward to him leading and mentoring or coalition space operators in the future. Now I constantly say that space is hard, but your teammates make it look easy. I know I’ve only highlighted a few of your space operators working across the United States, but I know all of your teammates are putting in the hours and work necessary to remain agile as the character of space domain changes. Make no mistake, your peers air defending the ultimate high ground. The United Kingdom also contributes to thought development in our space education classes, space flag exercises in the street war game. So we’re prepared to fight tonight with current and future capabilities to deter, deny and disrupt adversarial actions in the space domain. Simply put our partnership is strong. Together, we have made unbelievable progress with an incredible technology at our fingertips. Earlier, I briefly spoke to the Battle of Britain, and I know I do not have to tell this crowd about the importance of the doubting system to the defense of your homeland. The world’s first air defense system ensured those 3000 pilots. The few had the information and data necessary. Dissents Act and employees. Their limited resource is against a determined enemy who outnumber them 4.5 to 1. Fast forward to today, and roughly 350 of your countrymen operate. Maintain and secure the missile defense and space surveillance radar at R A F filing deals critical to the defense of your country from missile attacks and an important centre and the Allied Space Surveillance and Missile Warning Networks. R E F Filing. Dale’s contribute heavily to increasing demand for space domain Yours just like Air Chief Marshal doubting and the operators of the doubting system before them. The operators of the center of developing tactics and techniques to ensure our satellite operators around the world are never surprised by on orbit threats moving into the future. The U s remains committed to advancing our space capabilities. Together, the UK is tackling the next steps in their space evolution through the Artemus programme, an end to end development and operational use of an entire space system. We remain interested in supporting the UK on Artemus, our space force on our Air Force Teams are currently about evaluating where we can best leverage this capability across the space enterprise. Satellite communications is another area where we are working closely together our mutual needs for increased communications bandwidth and a more resilient SAT com architecture as the United States investing, investigating partnership arrangements and hosted payloads on advanced, extremely high frequency evolved strategic satellite communication systems, Sky Net and Wideband Global SAT com systems, to name a few. Additionally, our nation’s recently reached agreement on technology safeguards that allows the United States companies to support launching spacecraft from the UK. As I have mentioned, it is an incredible time to be in the space business now, given the benefits of our close partnerships and expanding commitments to share technology. How did these mutual efforts in space contribute to information of fans? First, let me say that space is critical to our mutual defense. Our coalition relies on space for communications. I s our missile warning, precision navigation and timing. Each of these capabilities provide important information to joint and coalition partners. Nevertheless, space is both in a neighbor of other domains and a war fighting domain itself. The reestablishment of your United States Space Command and subsequent establishment of the United States based force have created undeniable mo mentum towards protecting and defending our space capabilities. Defense is not unique in its dependence on space before our first cup of tea or coffee each morning. Most of us have already used space orbiting satellites provide the precision timing that synchronizes alarm clocks on our smartphones. Weather, traffic, news updates, travel through space, enable communication that was navigation and transportation systems systems use GPS to move people and goods around the world. Financial markets rise and fall be a trades conducted at the speed of information facilitated by space capabilities. An entirely new sector of the world economy has emerged around private investment in commercial space operations. Today, our joint and coalition forces have a notable information advantage. Since the early nineties, we’ve worked hard to ensure space capabilities are seamlessly integrated to support decision makers and warfighters and strategic, operational and tactical levels. Space capabilities proved their value in 1991 in the Persian Gulf War and continue to provide is a distinct information advantage today and operations, Freedom, Sentinel and inherent resolve. However, we should not reflect on past or even current success is too long, as our competitors are increasingly hold the free access to and peaceful use of space at risk. Russia, China and Iran have enjoyed the benefit of observing our forces operating a distinctive bandage across the globe. And they have learned they’ve learned that the United States military and this partners are incredibly powerful when connected by information empowered by data and informed by intelligence, all of which transits to and from our salads. Today we’re adapting to ensure space forces can provide an overwhelming information advantage in the face of emerging threats. Justice Air Chief Marshal Hugh Doubting adapted to threats from the air. Your team at finding deals adapts its space domain awareness. Today, the speed and complexity of modern threats creates a high demand for information, data and intelligence from forces operating in every domain. There are many reasons for optimism the mission we do in space today are the most joint and interoperable missions in the department defense. We have set benchmarks for information, speed, interoperability and sharing and will improve upon those standards BR people and units assigned to U. S. Space Command organized, trained and equipped by a lean, agile and innovative United States Space Force. Now, one thing is clear. Our national defense strategy directs a fundamental shift in our approach to military space. We can no longer be just a supporting function. Military space must also be supported. Information, advantages, a critical enabler, a space security Without time, relevant information, data and intelligence are satellites, and their operators will be unable to respond fast enough to threats that we see today. The speed of information is central to our ability to defeat antisatellite weapons, which can reach their targets in minutes jammers. His wave forms travel at the speed of light and cyber weapons, which are largely difficult to detect. An attribute. Therefore, to build a credible deterrent, our space force portfolio must be able to deny our adversaries the benefit of attack or be able to impose costs upon them. And this places a high value to threat relevant information not only in our operation centers, but also on the edge within our satellites and their commanding control systems. I have learned in my career that the best way to deter conflict is to be prepared to fight and win from a position of strength. Today, the space force’s designing our architectures to ensure they’re resilient to attack. Simultaneously, we will be a digital service built upon a data architectural with sets, the conditions to fully leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence in the future. These actions will accelerate our internal processes, ensure our people, our satellites and our ground systems have the necessary information, intelligence and dad and necessary to achieve information advantage in a dynamic threat environment. Thank you for inviting me to participate today. Investing in our relationship directly produces capability and capacity together. And it is because of this partnership that our space capabilities and our coalition space warfighters makes us the envy of the world. To be clear, this is not about coalition partners following an American effort. It is about Americans being part of a robust and resilient coalition. Thank you all for your service. Thank you for your partnership and for your friendship. I look forward to serving with each of you in the coming years.