Kehler: 'The future of Space is now'

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kate Rust
  • Air Force Space Command Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) --  "Air Force Space Command performs a national, and in some cases, an international space mission," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, the new commander of AFSPC.

"The space capabilities we provide today are embedded in all of our combat operations," he said. "They're also embedded in our military operations, short of combat, across the board. In fact, we cannot fight the way America fights today without space capabilities."

A central piece of this is the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile mission.

"When it comes to nuclear weapons, perfection remains the standard," said General Kehler. "That's been the case since I was a young missileer, and that hasn't changed today. It's imperative we maintain that focus of perfection in all of our activities surrounding nuclear weapons, which remain the foundation of our defense."

The general also stated his concern about the need for increased focus on protecting U.S. space capabilities in a contested environment.

"Today, space has become a contested environment," the general said, "and we know that in any conflict our adversaries will try to deny us use of those space capabilities. We're taking steps to prepare for that. Not only are we working to improve our space situational awareness, but we're addressing the vulnerabilities we know we have in our space segment, in our ground segments and in the links that put those together."

General Kehler emphasized that the command must seek out alternative strategies for how AFSPC might deploy the nation's space capabilities sooner and more effectively.

"We do a good job of deploying our space capabilities today, but as we look to the future -- in the information age we find ourselves in today -- it will be important to be able to deploy space capabilities far sooner in the future than we're able to deploy them today."

Finally, in terms of the mission, the general said he is committed to making sure the command continues to develop and retain space-experienced Airmen. 

"We need the right people with the right skills in the right place at the right time," he said.

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