It Isn't Space, It's Warfare! Joint Warfighting Space and the Command and Control of Deployable Space Forces

The Air Force has made great strides in integrating space effects into combat operations. However, the ongoing debate over command and control of deployable space forces has hampered development of theater command and control mechanisms and associated training and exercises. Command relationships have varied over time; however, all have resulted in ad hoc procedures and ongoing debates on roles and responsibilities. The methodology used in this work involved literary research, exercise and contingency experience, and discussions over the past five years with space weapons officers on this issue. The objective of this work is to stimulate discussion and writing by space professionals on this topic, highlight this issue to senior decision makers, and provide a viable solution to the problem. AFDD 2-2 and AFDD 2-2.1 address command relationships in detail; however, the interpretation of these documents varies widely. Some in the space community argue that space is different, inherently global, and requires global centralized control for all space forces. While others argue, space forces dedicated to a single theater require planning and execution in theater to optimize theater effects. This paper advocates the expansion of the Joint Warfighting Space operating concept, which would facilitate the normalized presentation of deployable space forces by transferring operational control to theater, when required.