DECEMBER 12, 2025 – Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman outlined the Space Force’s progress and priorities during a keynote address at the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference, Dec. 10, describing how the service has grown into a combat-credible component of the joint force in its first six years.
Saltzman opened by thanking the Space Force Association for its support and recognizing Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink for attending the conference. He noted the importance of having Guardians and senior leaders together to reflect on the service’s progress.
As the Space Force marks the end of its sixth year, Saltzman said Guardians continued to demonstrate readiness and professionalism across every mission area. “The Space Force stands ready with highly skilled Guardians and cutting-edge capabilities to fight and win our nation’s wars and to guarantee the American way of life,” he said.
Throughout the address, Saltzman emphasized the central role Guardians play in the service’s success. He recognized several individuals and teams for achievements across training, operations and innovation, including the winners of the 2025 Space Force Artificial Intelligence Challenge.
He also announced the naming of two Space Force weapon systems—Ursa Major and Bifrost—selected through a Guardian-driven effort to strengthen operational identity and culture. At this time, Guardians are continuing the process to assign common names to more Space Force weapon systems. Saltzman said building and sustaining that readiness begins with a clear design for how the force must operate.
Saltzman also emphasized the growing role of allies and partners in the Space Force’s force design and operational planning. The release of the International Partnership Strategy and the integration of international participants in major exercises reflect that shift. He pointed to Resolute Space 25—an exercise involving more than 700 Guardians across 55 locations—as a key demonstration of combined readiness.
Turning to force development, Saltzman said 2025 brought significant advances in preparing Guardians for both current and emerging threats. He cited the graduation of the first Officer Training Course class, expanded academic partnerships, space-specific enlisted development and continued investment in civilian education. “We needed a new category of Guardians: multi-disciplinary critical thinkers, ready to deliver combat wins at the pace of the threat,” he said.
Saltzman also addressed efforts to accelerate the delivery of space capabilities. With support from the Secretary of the Air Force, the Space Force is leading the way on the Department of War’s commitment to modernizing and streaming acquisitions processes to outpace threats and empower warfighters.
He noted that organizational change is also reshaping how the service generates forces. The transition of Space Operations Command to Combat Forces Command, he said, represents a major shift toward training and employing units as combat formations with dedicated readiness cycles. “Our combat space forces are better prepared, fully integrated and ready to respond to any threats to our missions,” he said.
In closing, Saltzman encouraged Guardians to continue communicating the importance of space operations to the American public. “Our work can sometimes feel invisible,” he said. “But we provide vital capabilities that enable our security and our way of life. The nation is counting on us.”
Saltzman said the service is prepared to meet future demands. “It’s clear that the U.S. Space Force is not just a participant in the joint fight,” he said. “We are vital to our nation’s security, and essential to the American way of life.”
By Staff Sgt. Emmeline James
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs