OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- On Sept. 14, four Airmen from Team Osan’s 18th Intelligence Squadron, Detachment 2, became the U.S. Space Force’s newest space operators during a transition ceremony on base.
As the first to join in the ranks of the new service on the Korean Peninsula, these operators will set the foundation for the newest branch of the military. By making their own unique and special mark in the developing history, these former Airmen took the oath to become Space Operators.
“As every member of our combined and joint team can attest, increasing our presence and superiority within space will enhance our capability to assist our allies, challenge the position of our adversaries, and provide stability to the region,” said Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, 7th Air Force commander. “This effort would not be possible without these Airmen here today, ready to swear into the Space Force.”
The Osan Airmen, all serving in organic space specialties, were called to volunteer for transition to the U.S. Space Force with 2,410 other personnel across all branches of the military, shifting their mindset into operating and winning in the space domain.
“The ability for us to stand up an entirely different service based on just the protection and defense of the space domain is huge for the warfighter, the civilian community around the world, as well as space professionals,” said Capt. Jacob Myers, 18th IS chief of space plans.
Although their tenure as Airmen officially ends, these space operators are still prepared to deter, defend, and defeat all threats that face the U.S. and its allies.
The establishment of the U.S. Space Force presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create the structures and processes that prepare the military for unique challenges and opportunities of space capabilities, and to better integrate space-based functions into the joint, coalition, and interagency partnerships.
“It is this synchronized, joint, multi-domain effort that makes the U.S. military matchless,” Pleus said. “When components from the air, space, land, and sea work together, victory can be assured and nowhere is that more apparent than in the Korean and Pacific theaters.”