2023 MARKS THE FOURTH SPACE FORCE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATING OUR GUARDIANS

It’s another year around the sun for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) and space travel continues to be on the minds of both government and private entities. At no other time in the history of mankind have we known nearly as much as we do about space than in the present. Logically, that can be applied to many different subjects, but when you factor in the fact that flight as we know it was only made possible around 120 years ago and space travel in about half that time, it’s impressive to see how far we’ve come. The Space Force's birthday is a yearly reminder of our military’s newest branch. While it’s still finding its way, American interest in space continues taking off like it never has before.

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When Is the Space Force Birthday?

The U.S. Space Force is turning four on December 20. The year 2023 marks the fourth year of the newest branch of the American Armed Forces. Guardians continue working to make things safer for us all down here on Earth and for the few gracing the cosmos.

After the National Defense Authorization Act was signed by President Donald Trump, the first branch of the U.S. military since the formation of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1946 was born.

The U.S. Space Force's birthday is a mark of the official split from the USAF. Until the creation of Guardians, Airmen were responsible for much more than the skies above. However, as human capabilities expanded both in the way we communicate and travel, the USSF became a necessity.

Four Years Later, the Guardians Are Focusing on the Mission Ahead

While Guardians have only been around for four years, the Air Force began having designated military personnel for space operations all the way back in 1954 through its Western Development Division.

Several evolutions occurred between then and now. There were even points in which the Air Force wanted to combine air and space operations even further, threatening to reverse years of progress. Clearly, over time, this came to be irrelevant, as we now know, but the journey has been one of ups and downs.

Collaboration continues, but there are two distinct branches working together in defense of American interests. The timing could not have been more essential. It’s currently easier for anyone to go into space.

This has many different ramifications; however, and technology is only going to help such efforts. Enjoy the cake and balloons, Guardians, because you have a huge job in front of you. Here are some common responsibilities of the USSF:

• Defending American interests in outer space.
• Helping advance space exploration.
• Space warfare, intel gathering, and missile defense.
• Protecting critical communications of the U.S. military and American enterprises.
• Assisting other branches of the American Armed Forces to collaborate and achieve national goals.

We often take for granted just how much of our lives revolve around what happens in space. Satellite communications alone is enough to realize the immediate need for Guardians and how they help troops and civilians, alike, operate at full capacity.

In the Schriever Courtyard at Los Angeles AFB, the Space Force 4th birthday party was held. Attended by the likes of Lt. Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, SSC Commander, and Ms. Joy White SSC Executive Director, there were several others including those in aerospace, scholars, and politicians.

It was a joyous occasion that looked to celebrate the Guardians and what they have done in their short period of existence. However, it also was a time to look forward to the mission ahead both in the present and future of American defense.

Happy Birthday Space Force! Congratulations on Four Years!

Although the USSF is young, its place in the American Armed Forces is growing each day. Both active duty and civilians combine for a total of more than 14,000 Guardians tasked with protecting the Internet, space travel, and so much more. It’s another Space Force birthday and a well-deserved celebration of those who fight to keep us protected from the Earth below to the stars above!

Sources:

• About the Space Force, USSF. Accessed December 2023. https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/About-Space-Force/
• USSF turns four: Birthday celebration at LA AFB, USSF. Accessed December 2023. https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3622148/ussf-turns-four-birthday-celebration-at-la-afb/

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The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Sanchez-Chen 49th Wing Public Affairs