Air Force Space Command on July 16 issued its list of space and cyberspace priorities. The command’s 15 prioritized space capabilities are: nuclear, survivable communications; launch detection/missile tracking; position, navigation, and timing; space situational awareness and battlespace awareness; defensive space control; assured space access/spacelift; space command and control; satellite operations; protected, tactical communications; offensive space control; unprotected communications; space-to-surface intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; terrestrial environmental monitoring; nuclear detonation detection; and responsive spacelift. The command’s nine prioritized cyberspace capabilities are: proactive defense; defensive counter-cyberspace (recon/counter-recon); cyberspace ISR and situational awareness; persistent network operations; data confidentiality and integrity systems; cyberspace operations center; offensive counter-cyberspace for global reach and access; net extension and resiliency; and influence operations. The AFSPC commander is the Air Force’s core function lead integrator for space and cyberspace superiority core functions. In this role, he is responsible for defining service-wide investments supporting these functions.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.