Official Says Space 'Is A Warfighting Domain'

Space is a "warfighting domain just like air, land and sea", according to  Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, commander of Air Force Space Command.

Gen. Raymond made the declaration August 8 at the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, AL, according to a report from Space News.

The U.S. Space Command has developed a concept of operations (CONOPS) for fighting in space. The focus, according to Raymond, is on command-and-control elements as well as integrated space awareness and warning. “It’s on paper,” he said. “Here’s how we plan to do this business.”

Gen. Raymond also said that partnerships in the intelligence community, industry and allies will become increasingly important. He said the country's adversaries are “developing capabilities designed to stop” the U.S. access to space, and the advantages gained from that access.

Raymond said that the overall goal is to prevent a more "kinetic" war. But while the U.S. does not want to fight, the only way to avoid a fight is to be prepared to do so.

Up until recently, Raymond said, space has been a "benign domain", and the main emphasis was on ensuring there were no gaps in coverage due to problems with equipment. "Today, it’s not good enough. You need adequate coverage, but you also must address protecting the operational capability.”

(Image from file)

FMI: www.afspc.af.mil