Joint Functional Component Command for Space

JFCC Space Emblem

The Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC Space) is a component of US 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).

CDR JFCC Space is also the Commander of Fourteenth Air Force (AF 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.[2]

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.[3]

JFCC Space's responsibilities include the United States Space Surveillance Network.[4]

Emblem

The Commander, Joint Functional Component Command Space (JFCC Space), serves as the single point of contact for military space operational matters to plan, task, direct and execute space operations. The centrally dominant globe represents the earth as viewed from space, the earth being both the origin and control point for all space operations. The lines of latitude and longitude emphasize the global nature of JFCC Space space operations. The outside gold border with the 16 point compass is indicative of all the directions and paths that space operations may pursue. The black field in the background symbolizes the medium of space and the responsibility of space operations assigned to United States Strategic Command, while the gold border between the black and amethyst fields represents the standards of excellence of JFCC Space operations and the transition to joint operations. The amethyst field exhibits the inherent jointness of space operations and the unification and integration of space assets and effects provided by JFCC Space. The fields of crimson, navy, green, and ultramarine denote the contribution of the United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Army, and United States Air Force. The four deltoid shapes symbolize the four main mission areas of space, Space Situational Awareness, Space Force Enhancement, Space Support and Space Control, as well as the ever forward and continuous integration of space effects for the United States. The emblem is provided its distinctive appearance by two symmetric ellipses representing the orbital paths traced by satellites in earth orbit. The orbital inclination and symmetrically opposed placement of the orbits signify the worldwide coverage provided by JFCC Space in accomplishing their missions. The patch was designed by MSgt (Ret) Stephen Sladaritz and the narrative background was written by Maj Jeffrey Leeder.

Past Commanders

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Airman 1st Class Erica Stewart. "JFCC Space activates at Vandenberg". Vandenberg AFB public website. Retrieved 9 December 2006.
  2. ↑ "Biography of William L. Shelton". Air Force Link. Archived from the original on 6 December 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2006.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ http://www.stratcom.mil/factsheets/USSTRATCOM_Space_Control_and_Space_Surveillance/