{"id":14787,"date":"2019-06-04T20:16:40","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T20:16:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/06\/04\/heres-what-the-first-few-years-of-us-space-command-might-look-like\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:14:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:14:17","slug":"heres-what-the-first-few-years-of-us-space-command-might-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2019\/06\/04\/heres-what-the-first-few-years-of-us-space-command-might-look-like\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s what the first few years of US Space Command might look like"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Air Force Gen. Jay Raymond, who is nominated to lead U.S. Space Command<\/a>, breezed through his confirmation hearing Tuesday. If approved by the Senate, Raymond\u2019s confirmation will be the first step necessary to establish the new combatant command<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the hearing, Raymond hit the usual talking points about the changing realm of space operations \u2014 that it is becoming a contested \u201cwar-fighting domain\u201d and that improved relationships with international partners and across agencies will be critical for adjusting to the heightened threats posed by Russia and China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in answers to written questions posed by lawmakers, Raymond \u2014 who currently leads Air Force Space Command \u2014 spelled out new details on what the first months and years of U.S. Space Command could look like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe challenges in standing up a new Combatant Command are substantial,\u201d Raymond wrote. \u201cIf confirmed, my first priority will be to ensure the seamless transition of the command and control of critical space capabilities that the nation and the joint force depend on each-and-every day. Simultaneously we need to ensure we take steps to strengthen readiness and lethality as we complete our shift from a permissive environment to a posture for warfighting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPACECOM will be officially established once a commander is confirmed, its first space operators are assigned, and its Unified Command Plan \u2014 which lays out the command\u2019s missions and responsibilities \u2014 is approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\t