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 birthday is coming in December as the military’s newest branch is still finding its way, but American interest in space is finally looking to take off like it never has before.

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When Is the Space Force Birthday?

Every year, the Space Force birthday is held on December 20. The year 2022 will mark three years of the newest branch of the American Armed Forces working to make things safer for us all down here on Earth and for the few gracing the cosmos. On December 20, 2019, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) was created. This came about after the National Defense Authorization Act was signed by President Donald Trump and completed the first branch in the U.S. military since the formation of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1946. The United States Space Force 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 expand both in the way we communicate and travel, the USSF became a necessity.

A Long Time Comin'

While the first time we said "happy birthday Space Force" may have only happened around three years ago, 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.

Here’s to a Spectacular Space Force Birthday 2022

The branch is young and has had a bit of an odd go of things. Maybe this is why so far, the celebrations have been a bit less than fantastic. The U.S. Space Force celebrated its first birthday virtually thanks to COVID-19 regulations during the pandemic, but now with more relaxed regulations, birthday celebrations can commence (somewhat) normally. Thankfully, while health precautions are still in play, things are not as stringent as they once were. Hopefully, this translates into a better celebration for America’s newest heroes. The Space Force birthday celebration is a celebration of a more secure country moving forward into uncharted territory. Happy third birthday, Guardians!

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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