RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) —
U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Jacob Middleton became the new commander of U.S. Space Forces in Europe – Space Forces Africa in a change of command ceremony at the Ramstein Officers Club Tuesday.
U.S. Space Forces in Europe – Space Forces Africa, also known as SPACEFOREUR-AF, is the U.S. Space Force component field command charged with supporting both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, encompassing 51 countries in Europe and 53 countries in Africa, respectively.
“We recognize the importance of space to our allies and partners, as well as our own national security,” Middleton said. “In the last year, SPACEFOREUR-AF has established relationships across two continents to expand space situational awareness of events in today’s contested space environment. I look forward to engaging with our Space Force leaders and combatant commanders, to working alongside our Airmen and Guardians, and to building on those partnerships to tell the next chapter of the United States Space Force story.”
Middleton said that a U.S. Space Force goal is for field components such as SPACEFOREUR-AF to build on existing alliances and partnerships to enhance interoperability and resiliency, thereby bolstering the security and long-term sustainability of space. The scope of missions across two continents and their importance to the international order and the balance of rules governing use of space is the cornerstone of the SPACEFOREUR-AF mission. U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman expanded on that theme during the ceremony.
“This unit is singularly responsible for integrating space forces with two combatant commands, enhancing the security of our nation and its allies from Iceland to South Africa,” Saltzman said at the ceremony. “In just eight months, SPACEFOREUR-AF established relationships with 15 other spacefaring nations, enhanced integration with NATO, via automated data flow, and provided training on Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations.”
Saltzman noted Middleton was the right choice to head the rapidly evolving SPACEFOREUR-AF and expand relationships with our allies and partners. He added that Middleton’s experience working with the Joint Staff, National Security Council, and U.S. legislature all empower Middleton to further bolster expanded connections with NATO, allies and other vital regional partners across two continents to integrate space power.
“I can confidently say that there are few more impactful positions in leadership within the Space Force than that of a service component commander, especially one supporting two regions,” Saltzman said. “Elevating the command to a one-star level reaffirms the Space Force’s commitment both to our Joint Force and to our international partners. Service components like SPACEFOREUR-AF provide the vital connective tissue between space capability and the combatant commander authorities. I look forward to what Brig. Gen. Middleton will achieve next.”
Activated at Ramstein Air Base Dec. 8, 2023, SPACEFOREUR-AF is responsible for a wide range of space operations including the space situational awareness mission and security cooperation in support of the two combatant commands’ objectives.
Middleton follows Col. Max E. Lantz II, the first and previous SPACEFOREUR-AF commander. Lantz is scheduled to retire after more than 33 years of active-duty service.
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