Space: Inextricably Linked to Warfighting

OUR NATION' S SECURITY challenges are substantially more diverse and uncertain than they were just two decades ago. The ongoing Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), continued unrest and instability the Middle East, and the effects of globalization accelerated by remarkable technological advancements illustrate the increasing complexity of our world. Today, our Nation and Army are at war confronting a different type of enemy. Defeating this enemy and winning this war will be a protracted process. For the foreseeable future, the Army will likely be engaged the GWOT and support of our Nation's other commitments and international obligations. To meet these challenges, the Army must remain relevant and ready by providing the Joint Force with essential capabilities to dominate across the full range of military operations. (1) Exploiting the effective use of space, and its inextricable linkage to missile defense, is integral to supporting this strategic goal. As part of the Joint Force, the Army will leverage the synergy of space, land, sea, and air superiority and in concert with other elements of national and international power, will conduct integrated, tempo-controlling actions multiple domains concurrently to dominate any adversary, and help control any situation support of strategic objectives. (2) Leveraging Space for Warfighters Space-based systems and unhindered access to space are linked to America's national security and are increasingly critical to our economic well-being. Space operations have literally transformed military, civil, and commercial enterprises. Similarly, military operations have moved from being supported by space assets to being space-enabled. Operation Desert Storm (ODS), often called the first space war, demonstrated the value of this new medium as a combat multiplier. Nearly every aspect of ODS depended to some extent on support from space-based systems. The use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and long-haul communications satellites are particularly notable. (3) In the decade since ODS, the value of space-based capabilities has grown significantly. Normalizing space by integrating space capabilities into routine operations has led to the delivery of expansive space-based products and services to warfighters. For example, Operation Noble Anvil Kosovo used twice the bandwidth used during ODS. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) used 7 times the amount, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) used 42 times the amount. (4) In OEF and the early phases of OIF, space-based assets gave U.S. and Coalition forces robust, uninterrupted satellite communications (SATCOM); around-the-clock intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); and near-real-time navigation and positioning data. Today, space enables virtually everything we do, from missile early warning systems to command and control of military forces. Space extends the range and capabilities of communications, enhances situational awareness beyond terrestrial capabilities, and provides better intelligence for synchronized combat operations by enabling the collection of new types of data and information. Space support is particularly valuable remote areas having austere or nonexistent communications infrastructures. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld recently noted: Over the past few years we have recognized that space and information are not only enablers, but core warfighting competencies. (5) The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) is the specified Army proponent for space. In addition to its Title 10 Army responsibilities, USASMDC also serves as the Army Service Component Command (ASCC) to the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). As such, it is dual-titled as USASMDC/Army Forces Strategic Command (ARSTRAT). USASMDC/ ARSTRAT's 1st Space Brigade provides OIF/OEF combatant commanders with Soldiers, civilians, equipment, and access to a variety of space-based products and services. …