Captain Kirk Criticizes Space Force Officer Ranks

William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise, says Space Force should use Navy ranks.

Bill Shatner, Military Times: William Shatner wants to know: What the heck is wrong with you, Space Force?

To the very esteemed members of Space Force and other grand poohbahs of the United States government agencies who may have a say in this, I have one question for you:

What the heck is wrong with you?

I’m talking about the ranks of the Space Force!

What are you doing to us? 😱 There was no Colonel Kirk; not even in the mirror universe (which is what 2020 feels like at times.)

Do you know your entertainment space history? 🤔 🤷‍♂️

Let me show you what I mean.

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Update: William Shatner rails against Space Force officer ranks in op-ed (The Hill)

WNU Editor: As a Trekkie I will say that he has a point.

U.S. Allies Can Now Join Space Command To Protect And Defend Satellites During War

Breaking Defense: ‘Major Milestone’ As Allies Join SPACECOM’s War Plan

"The hesitation to include allies in Olympic Defender was on our end as well," says Secure World Foundation's Brian Weeden. "National security space is sort of the last bastion of America's 'crown jewels'."

WASHINGTON: A number of US allies may now join Space Command in the US military’s baseline plan for protecting and defending satellites during war, Operation Olympic Defender, we hear, following in the footsteps of the first country to sign up, the United Kingdom.

SPACECOM today announced its leader, Gen. Jay Raymond, has signed the first order under OOD in his capacity as head of the combatant command. OOD is the US military’s operational plan for protecting and defending US and allied satellites in conflict.

“This is a major milestone for the newly established command,” Raymond said. “As the threats in the space domain continue to evolve, it is important we leverage and synchronize capabilities with our allies not only to understand each other’s national perspectives, but to work seamlessly together to optimize our multinational space efforts.”

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Update: USSPACECOM to Oversee Multinational Space Operation; John Raymond Quoted (ExecutiveGov)

WNU Editor: The first country to sign up is the U.K..

U.S. Space Command Will Remain At Its Provisional Headquarters At Peterson Air Force Base In Colorado Springs For Six Years

Space News: Air Force widens search for future location of U.S. Space Command

U.S. Space Command for the next six years will remain at its provisional headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force on May 15 announced an open bidding process to select the permanent location of U.S. Space Command headquarters. The new process allows any state with large military bases to compete to host U.S. Space Command. Bids are due June 30.

The Air Force said it expects to select a location in early 2021 but it will take up to six years to build new facilities. During that time U.S. Space Command will remain at its provisional headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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More News On U.S. Space Command Searching For A Permanent Location

Pentagon Expands List of Bases That Could Host US Space Command -- Military.com
Peterson Air Force Base will be home to U.S. Space Command for at least six years -- FOX News
Space Command to call Peterson AFB home -- KOAA
The Air Force is re-doing its search for Space Command headquarters — here's what it takes to get picked -- Business Insider

U.S. Space Command Passed Its First Combat Test By Detecting Iranian Missile Launches At US Bases In Iraq This Month

Business Insider/Military.com: Officials say US Space Command passed its first combat test by detecting Iranian missiles

* Early warning capabilities belonging to US Space Command helped detect Iranian ballistic missile launches at US bases in Iraq this month, the new command said this week.
* The warning helped give US troops on the ground a chance to take cover, and the detection means the new command passed its initial combat test, officials and experts say.

The newly created US combatant command focused on space has passed its initial combat test, according to officials and experts.

Early warning capabilities belonging to the command helped detect recent Iranian ballistic missile launches at US bases in Iraq, contributing to an early warning advantage for troops on the ground.

In a statement to Military.com earlier this week, US Space Command officials pointed to the vast array of interlocking space and ground sensors, mostly inherited from the Air Force, that are now in the command's domain. The capabilities serve to detect and track ballistic missiles worldwide. Officials did not, however, specify which particular system first picked up the launches.

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WNU editor: Sending a message to everyone that US Space Command is now operational.