Joint Functional Component Command for Space

The Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC SPACE) is a component of US Strategic Command. The Command was established on July 19, 2006, and activated on September 12, 2006cite web| url=http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123028342 | title=JFCC SPACE activates at Vandenberg | work=Vandenberg AFB public website | author=Airman 1st Class Erica Stewart | accessmonthday = December 9| accessyear=2006] , under the command of Lieutenant General William L. Shelton. The JFCC SPACE is headquartered at Vandenberg AFB, California, and was formed from the division of Joint Functional Component Command for Space and Global Strike (JFCC SGS) into two separate commands, JFCC SPACE and Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike and Integration (JFCC GSI).

CDR JFCC SPACE is also the Commander of the 14th Air Force (AF Space Command). While the Implementation Directive was signed 19 July, the JFCC SPACE activation ceremony was held 12 Sep 06 at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Gen James E. Cartwright (CDRUSSTRATCOM) presided over the ceremony where he presented the JFCC SPACE colors to Lt Gen William L. Sheltoncite web | url=http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7122 | work=Air Force Link | title=Biography of William L. Shelton | accessmonthday=December 9 | accessyear=2006] .

Mission

According to Lt Gen Shelton, "Our prime mission directive in JFCC SPACE is to ensure our freedom of action in space, while preventing adversary use of space against us." cite web| url=http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123028342 | title=JFCC SPACE activates at Vandenberg | work=Vandenberg AFB public website | author=Airman 1st Class Erica Stewart | accessmonthday = December 9| accessyear=2006] To do this, the component optimizes planning, execution, and force management, as directed by the commander of USSTRATCOM, of the assigned missions of coordinating, planning, and conducting space operations. [http://www.stratcom.mil/about-ch.html]

Emblem

The Commander, Joint Functional Component Command Space (JFCC SPACE), serves as the single point of contact for military space operational matters to plan, task, direct and execute space operations. The centrally dominant globe represents the earth as viewed from space, the earth being both the origin and control point for all space operations. The lines of latitude and longitude emphasize the global nature of JFCC SPACE space operations. The outside gold border with the 16 point compass is indicative of all the directions and paths that space operations may pursue. The black field in the background symbolizes the medium of space and the responsibility of space operations assigned to United States Strategic Command, while the gold border between the black and amethyst fields represents the standards of excellence of JFCC SPACE operations and the transition to joint operations. The amethyst field exhibits the inherent jointness of space operations and the unification and integration of space assets and effects provided by JFCC SPACE. The fields of crimson, navy, green, and ultramarine denote the contribution of the United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Army, and United States Air Force. The four deltoid shapes symbolize the four main mission areas of space, Space Situational Awareness, Space Force Enhancement, Space Support and Space Control, as well as the ever forward and continuous integration of space effects for the United States. The emblem is provided its distinctive appearance by two symmetric ellipses representing the orbital paths traced by satellites in earth orbit. The orbital inclination and symmetrically opposed placement of the orbits signify the worldwide coverage provided by JFCC SPACE in accomplishing their missions. The patch was designed by MSgt (Ret) Stephen Sladaritz and the narrative background was written by Lt Col(S) Jeffrey Leeder.

References

* [http://www.stratcom.mil/about-ch.html USSTRATCOM Public Affairs - History] Retrieved on 12 January 2008.
* [http://www.stratcom.mil/organization-fnc_comp.html USSTRATCOM Public Affairs- Organization (Functional Component)] Retrieved on May 2008.