Amid the growing prominence of the space domain within joint operations, the United States formally activated the space component of the Southern Command (SPACEFOR–SOUTH) during a ceremony held yesterday, Wednesday the 21st, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona (USA). Although the unit had been operational since December 1, 2025, the official event marked the assumption of command by Colonel Brandon P. Alford and the unveiling of the emblem that symbolizes its mission to integrate space power across the Western Hemisphere to strengthen regional security.
SPACEFOR–SOUTH will operate as the space component of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), tasked with coordinating space capabilities with joint forces, government agencies, and multinational institutions to support stability, deterrence, and cooperation in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. From its headquarters at Davis-Monthan, it will work closely with U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and international partners, enhancing space situational awareness and interoperability in the region.
During the ceremony, the Chief of Space Operations, General Chance Saltzman, highlighted that the creation of Space Forces Southern reaffirms Washington’s commitment to hemispheric security, stating that “This new organization confirms our determination to confront local threats of all kinds, from malign state actors to transnational criminal organizations.”
For his part, Colonel Alford, the first commander of SPACEFOR–SOUTH, emphasized the strategic role of space in Southern Command operations and the forward-looking vision behind its creation, stating: “Today marks the beginning of a more connected, informed, and agile stage. We are not just establishing a command; we are shaping the space domain so that what is above us strengthens everything we value down here.” Alford, who has extensive experience in space control operations, early warning, and joint support, previously took part in the initial operational capability phase of the component, providing continuity to his new role.
The event included the presentation of the command’s official emblem, which incorporates the Southern Cross constellation—a symbol of the Southern Hemisphere—and a lightning bolt representing the speed and responsiveness of space support to joint and allied forces. These capabilities include navigation and positioning, secure communications, and space-based surveillance applied to counter-narcotics operations, multinational exercises, humanitarian assistance, and the strengthening of regional partners’ capabilities.
The formal activation of SPACEFOR–SOUTH represents another step in the expansion of the U.S. Space Force within the combatant commands, following the establishment of similar components under INDOPACOM, CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM. In a context where recent operations such as Absolute Resolve and Southern Spear have underscored the decisive role of space power in the Caribbean and South America, the new component symbolizes the United States’ intention to project stability, cooperation, and technological dominance across the southern Western Hemisphere.
Image credits: U.S. Southern Command.
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