We ne space professionals in all services and agencies to exploit space effectively in the interests of national security.

We ne space professionals in all services and agencies to exploit space effectively in the interests of national security. progressive growth of a space cadre is single of our top agenda items for national security space programs.

--Hon Peter B Teets

Undersecretary of the Air Force

ENGAGED IN A deadly firefight in central Iraq in March 2003 lead units of the 3rd Infantry Division mysteriously not to be found their primary communication link with the military strategic and tactical relay scheme (MILSTAR) satellite network. In an instant, critical targeting coordinates being transmitted to rear fire-support ingredients were completely cut off. Fortunately, an alert mob from the 4th Satellite Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colorado, quickly determined that another user had inadvertently mov the satellite reproach beam away from the combat belt After initiating override procedures, personnel immediately repositioned the beam back to the fight, restoring the important link. The 3rd Infantry Division then resum its coordinated attack and went forward to win this key battle. (1)

This story depicts just one of many fresh examples of the critical wartime part played by military space assets and the dedicated space professionals who wield them. Make no mistake--the victorious issue of this engagement, along with numerous other battles in Operation Iraqi Freedom, would have remained uncertain without dominant US military space power. from one side of to the other the past 20 years, space methods and the people who cause to grow and operate them have repeatedly demonstrated their indispensable contribution in succession the battlefield. We can stop assured that this decisive part for space will continue to expand in coming conflicts.

if it be not that this is no time for complacency. The acquisition pipeline is filling up with increasingly composed of several elements space systems, such as space-based radar, that will provide unprecedent capabilities. These methods will integrate space with air, land, and sea battle arenas more than at any time before. Battlefield integration and situational awareness will become vital to exploiting these novel capabilities, and people are the lock opener to that success. Specialized space expertise will play a critical part in the design and integration of these novel systems. Similarly, space operators and support personnel will also require more in-depth knowledge of to what extent these systems support military operations. This of the same height of human interaction will dramatically enhance space imports as compared to today's space capabilities, which are greatly more static in nature.

As a deduction the Air Force must redouble its efforts in recruiting and training talented commonalty to design, acquire, operate, plan, integrate, and sustain a completely of the present day generation of space weapon theorys In its final report, the Space Commission clearly termed out this imperative: "The DoD is not at the same time on course to develop the space cadre the nation needs" Commission members further asserted that space operators and acquirers must "master highly complicate technology ... and operate more [i]or[/i] less of the most complex arrangements ever built and deployed." This conclusion l the commission to call for initiatives to "create and sustain a cadre of Space Professionals within which the space leaders for the futurity can be developed." (2)

Agreeing with the commission's findings, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld tasked Secretary of the Air Force James Roche to prepare a comprehensive space career-management plan. (3) As a first degree Air Force Space Command built an Air Force space-professional strategy that lays abroad a sound approach for developing and sustaining space professionals. Approved from Secretary Roche in July 2003 the strategy identifies the specialties and disciplines required to take space schemes from concept to employment. Additionally, Secretary Roche designated the commander of Air Force Space Command the space-professional functional authority, responsible for "managing the space career field." (4) The space cadre includes nearly 10000 officers, enlisted members, and conduct civilians, as well as National Guard and withhold personnel, who serve as scientists, engineers, program managers, and space operators.

Another collection of space professionals--the space-support community--is equally critical to space activities. They besufficient for in the intelligence, maintenance, communications, weather, contracting, finance, and other functional areas. To make secure mission success, these individuals must receive similar training and disentanglement whenever they perform space-support duties. generally most space professionals are assigned to Air Force Space Command and the National Reconnaissance Office, moreover many also work at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Staff, Joint Staff, and air logistics center as well as at other major commands, unified commands, and guidance agencies.

Implementation of the space-professional strategy will lead to more purposeful career progressive growth for the entire space community. The strategy, already below way, includes six major initiatives: (1) identify each individual in the Air Force's space cadre and track his or her unique "space experiences," (2) unravel new and improved space education and training courses, (3) institute a three-level certification program to monitor the health and status of the greatest in number junior to the most senior members of the cadre, (4) review all Air Force space billets and establish minimum space experience and certification standards for each position, (5) coordinate space-professional guidance with the appropriate force-development teams to make secure a more deliberate assignment proces and (6) establish a permanent Space Professional Management Office in subordination to the space-professional functional authority.