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Space Delta 18

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Space Delta 18
Space Delta 18 emblem
Delta emblem
Active 24 June 2022–present
Country Flag of the United States United States
Branch Flag of the United States United States Space Force
Type Delta
Role Space intelligence
Size 350 personnel (expected)[1]
Part of Space Operations Command
Headquarters Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Commanders
Commander Col Marqus Q. Randall
Deputy Director John Gass[2]
Senior Enlisted Leader CMSgt Melissa M. Owens[3]

Space Delta 18 (DEL 18) is a United States Space Force unit that serves as the National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC). It is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and activated on 24 June 2022.

NSIC is a field operating agency that is responsible for performing national and military space missions and evaluating capabilities, performance, limitations, and vulnerabilities of space and counter-space systems and services. It is the Space Force's counterpart to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). [1]

History[]

Delta 18 Activation and National Space Intelligence Center Establishment (5)

Lt Gen Whiting (left) and Col Randall (right) stand at attention during the activation of Space Delta 18, June 24, 2022

The establishment of NSIC was ordered by Chief of Space Operations John W. Raymond.[4] It will be formed by transferring NASIC's Space Analysis Squadron and Counter-Space Analysis Squadron from the Space and Missiles Analysis Group to the Space Force.[5] Air Force Major General Leah Lauderback, the Space Force director of intelligence (S2)—to whom the center will ultimately report—led the planning effort. Congressional authorization is needed to create a field operating agency that reports directly to the S2.[1]

Awaiting funding for the establishment of the NSIC, the Space Force stood up the Space Force Intelligence Activity (SFIA) on 24 September 2021 as an interim unit. SFIA served under NASIC until the establishment of NSIC.[6] On 24 June 2022, NSIC was activated as Space Delta 18.[2][7]

Symbolism[]

DEL 18 took on the number 18 in honor of the Space Force becoming the 18th member of the United States Intelligence Community on 15 January 2021.[7][8]

Structure[]

DEL 18 is composed of the following two squadrons transferred from NASIC's Space and Missiles Analysis Group.[9]

List of commanders[]

No. Commander Term Ref
Portrait Name Took office Left office Duration
1
Marqus Q
Randall, Marqus Q.Colonel Marqus Q. Randall24 June 2022Incumbent2 years, 237 days[10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Space Force Prepares to Launch National Space Intelligence Center". 27 April 2021. https://www.afcea.org/content/space-force-prepares-launch-national-space-intelligence-center. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "John Gass on LinkedIn: #spaceforce #intelligence | 24 comments". https://www.linkedin.com/posts/john-gass-78226b1a9_spaceforce-intelligence-activity-6943633403669884928-_FMP. 
  3. ↑ "Chief Master Sergeant Melissa M. Owens". https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/Biographies/Display/Article/3066006/chief-master-sergeant-melissa-m-owens. 
  4. ↑ https://media.defense.gov/2020/Nov/09/2002531998/-1/-1/0/CSO%20PLANNING%20GUIDANCE.PDF Archived 6 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine.[bare URL PDF]
  5. ↑ "National Space Intelligence Center Takes Shape". 16 November 2020. https://www.airforcemag.com/national-space-intelligence-center-takes-shape/. 
  6. ↑ "Space Force intelligence organization established at Wright Patterson Air Force Base". 4 October 2021. https://spacenews.com/space-force-establishes-intelligence-analysis-organization-at-wright-patterson-air-force-base/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Space Delta 18 Activation, NSIC establishment ceremony". https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3069885/space-delta-18-activation-nsic-establishment-ceremony. 
  8. ↑ "US Space Force Becomes 18th Member of US Intelligence Community". https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/01/us-space-force-becomes-18th-member-us-intelligence-community/171285/. 
  9. ↑ "Space Delta 18". https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/3065435/space-delta-18. 
  10. ↑ "Colonel Marqus D. Randall". https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/Biographies/Display/Article/3065706/colonel-marqus-d-randall. 
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