The capabilities derived from space assets are essential to today’s warfighter, making space operators an indispensable element of tactical operations. Within the Combined Air Operations Center in Southwest Asia, Maj. Troy Endicott, space forces director of staff, calls theater space specialists—airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines—“combat integrators” that “take space down that last tactical mile.”
Earlier this spring, the 388th Fighter Wing proved just 12 Airmen can operate an F-35 contingency location, refueling and rearming the fighters at spots across Georgia and South Carolina. The demonstration, part of exercise Agile Flag 23-1, marks yet another proof of concept for the Air Force’s plan to send…