Artist’s rendering of WGS-11+

News

The dawn of a new era

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Haley N. Blevins

Since the newest branch of the Armed Forces was established on Dec. 20, 2019, the U.S. Space Force has seen exponential growth in its personnel.

The 11th Space Warning Squadron swore in approximately 60 members into the USSF on Sept. 1, 2020, at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver. 

During the ceremony, these members took the Oath of Enlistment or the Oath of Office, requiring them to separate from the U.S. Air Force and commission or enlist into the USSF. All members that took part in the ceremony work in space related career fields.

“Individually chosen, you will be one of a lean group of elite experts in space, intelligence, engineering, acquisition, and cyberspace operations... highly technical specialties that are critical to mission success in our domain,” said Gen. Jay Raymond, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations. 

These space professionals will join the 90 other service members already in the USSF to include Gen. Raymond, Chief Towberman, USSF senior enlisted advisor, and 86 2nd Lieutenants who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and two general officers. 

These members are embarking on a new journey and will be a part of history.

“You will be setting the mark,” said John Barry, president and CEO of Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. “You will be deciding what goes in history books. You will be setting the culture for days, weeks, months and years to come. You will be setting the future.”

Airmen from various organizations around the installation, including enlisted and company grade officers from 11 SWS, 2 SWS, Aerospace Data Facility- Colorado and 460th Operations Support Squadron will swear into the USSF this month.