Defense, Intelligence communities collaborate for space resiliency

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander, Ms. Betty Sapp, National Reconnaissance Office director, and other senior leaders met Aug. 26, 2015, at USSTRATCOM headquarters here, as part of the ongoing Joint Space Doctrine and Tactics Forum (JSDTF). During the forum, Adm. Haney and Ms. Sapp signed a collaborative document signifying the defense and intelligence communities’ agreement to continue their work together to strengthen U.S. space enterprise resilience.

In January 2015 the JSDTF was established by Adm. Haney following direction by the Deputy Secretary of Defense to increase space collaboration and coordination between the defense and intelligence communities. The forum’s emphasis on integration will help advance the development of tactics, techniques and procedures as well as enhance information sharing through exercises, doctrine and lessons learned.

“Throughout this process we have enjoyed a close working relationship with our intelligence community partners,” said Adm. Haney. “Co-signing the terms of reference today serves to codify that relationship, and will ultimately strengthen our resilience in the space domain.”

Adm. Haney and Ms. Sapp serve as co-chairs for the JSDTF, and along with the commanders of USSTRATCOM’s Joint Functional Component Command for Space, Air Force Space Command, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command, are charged with establishing priorities, approving key initiatives, steering and assessing progress. They also focus on exercises and training, and provide recommendations and conclusions on issues related to space.

 During their meeting forum members also discussed how to collectively improve operational capabilities in space, consistent with the 2011 National Security Space Strategy (NSSS). They emphasized the foundational role intelligence plays in that endeavor, and likewise highlighted its importance to the NSSS and toward ensuring resiliency in space. 

In addition to space operations, USSTRATCOM’s Unified Command Plan-assigned missions also include strategic deterrence; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting.