Col. Michael Vaughn, head of 20th Air Force operations, said that if you asked the missileers how they felt about changing to 72-hour shifts in October, they “wouldn’t have been very happy.” (See two items above.) Now however, most are looking forward to the greater schedule predictability the change will bring—something made possible through “protected time off” when missileers return from their three-day shifts. AFSPC plans to convert every missile squadron to the new schedule during April.
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…


