Centralized Control of Space: The Use of Space Forces by a Joint Force Commander
Abstract
Operation Desert Storm was the first conflict in which a land-based military force was directly and fully supported by space forces. For the first time in the history of war fare, space for forces were an integral part of terrestrial conflict and crucial to its outcome. Air Force Chief of Staff Merrill A. McPeak called Desert Storm our first space war when he remarked, Try to imagine the war without warning of Scud launches, or instant satellite communications, or weather coverage from space, or the other advantages only the United States had because of our space capability. Space assets will play a central role in any future military action. "Desert Storm set a standard for space forces, and now that space forces have shown their potential, the US military must strive to improve upon their performance. Former assistant secretary of the Air Force, Martin C. Faga, insisted that Desert Storm was the initial opportunity for our forces in the field to understand that space forces are vital to success. He claimed Desert Storm would make the combat commands more demanding customers for the support of space forces in the future. Land, sea, air and special operations forces now expect support from space forces to help them gain and maintain a combat advantage throughout the operational continuum and across the three levels of war: strategic, operational, and tactical. At the strategic level of war the military looks to space forces for enhanced surveillance, intelligence, and communications capabilities to define limits and assess risks of the use of military and other instruments of power. On the operational level, planners and commanders call upon space forces to improve upon existing terrestrial capabilities in areas such as warning, current intelligence, surveillance of areas of interest, communications, mapping, charting, geodesy, and protection from enemy space systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 28, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA608251
Entities
People
- Ricky B. Kelly
Organizations
- Air University