Maj. Gen. William Shelton, commander of Air Force Space Command’s 14th Air Force—provider of space assets to combatant commanders—reminded attendees Friday at AFA’s Los Angeles Space Symposium that US national security is “critically dependent on space.” Shelton said US enemies already have compromised our security in all four domains: air, land, space, and cyberspace. To defeat these security breaches, he said the US must start ensuring space situational awareness. And, according to Shelton, “We are going to spend quite a bit of money” to do so.
The Space Force is playing a key role in planning for “Golden Dome,” President Donald Trump’s initiative for comprehensive air and missile defense of the homeland, leaders said this week. But actually building and fielding the ambitious idea will require a major concerted effort across the Pentagon and intelligence community.