U.S. military officials joined leaders from all 10 nations of the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative at the new French Space Command Headquarters this week, where they reaffirmed the strength and relevance of CSpO to deterrence, interoperability, and space warfighting capability.
The CSpO Initiative unites the 10 sovereign spacefaring nations of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Led by U.S. Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, U.S. Space Force, Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander, U.S. Space Command and Commander, Multinational Force Operation Olympic Defender, and Mr. Robert Brose, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Space and Missile Defense, currently performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of War for Space Policy, the U.S. delegation underscored its commitment to defend U.S. interests in and through space. The U.S. further reaffirmed the importance that the U.S. places on partnership with the CSpO nations, both on earth and on orbit.
"Our opponents are moving at jaw-dropping speed, and we must match that pace with integrated coalition capabilities that deter aggression and defend our interests," said Whiting.
Reflecting Secretary Hegseth's guidance to restore a warfighting ethos, the U.S. delegation charged the CSpO Initiative to focus on pragmatic methods to enhance and sustain space power in the face of growing threats; ensure policy and plans reflect our best understanding of the challenges at hand; and further expand the robust operational cooperation in space that CSpO delivers.
"We are building a coalition capable of addressing the challenges of a contested space environment," said Saltzman. "To be effective, we must collaborate on our architectures, integrate our training, exercises, and operations, and build a common understanding of the threats we face."
Understanding the role space plays in providing security and prosperity for the American people, and on the ongoing increase in space threats, the U.S. delegation outlined areas where U.S. and CSpO member interests could be at risk. These included U.S. commercial access to space, and the threat of an orbital environment in which unacceptable levels of orbital debris or weapons of mass destruction are present.
"Just as our military defends our freedom, rights, and interests on earth, the military of the United States of America will protect and defend our freedom, rights, and interests in space," said Brose.
The 10 nations renewed their commitment to operate responsibly in space, and to challenge those who do not. As the CSpO Initiative continues to evolve, its focus will remain on ensuring warfighters are ready and able to deter conflict, defeat enemies, and prevail in space.
