Schriever Space Force Base, Colo -- Space Operations Command activated its newest unit, Delta 15, during a ceremony at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, March 10, 2023.
The U.S. Space Force created Delta 15 to provide service space battle management abilities, mission-ready crew forces, operational training, and simulation to prepare U.S. Space Force forces, and designed joint and allied partners, to prevail in a contested all-domain environment.
U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen, Stephen N. Whiting, Space Operations Command commander, shared his thoughts on the newest SpOC Delta during his opening remarks.
“Over the years we have seen modern warfare develop and evolve, now demanding increased use of space power. Like the telephone, space is ubiquitous,” said Whiting. “I’m really excited to be here with you today as we continue to grow and shape the United States Space Force that we need for today and beyond, with the activation of Space Delta 15.”
The National Space Defense Center predates both U.S. Space Command and USSF. With a service responsibility to organize, train and equip the National Space Defense Center, Headquarters SpOC began constructing Delta 15 in 2020 to grow a service Delta as the core component of the center.
"The biggest objective we want to communicate is our activation does not change the mission of the National Space Defense Center. It remains a national level center, and it's very important to Delta 15 that we preserve that," said U.S. Space Force Maj, Amber DeRiggi, Delta 15 director of staff. "We are integrating into the National Space Defense Center via the space protect and defend mission, and normalizing command and control of assigned Space Force forces. Bottom line, we are delivering combat-ready space forces to the joint force and tri-center partnership that exists at the NSDC today."
During the ceremony, U.S. Space Force Col, Stephen Lyon assumed command of Delta 15. The unit is comprised of a command staff and 3 squadrons: the 15th Command and Control Squadron, 15th Intelligence Service Reconnaissance Squadron, and the 15th Cyber Squadron. At full operational capability, Delta 15 will have 213 military and civilian billets as well as contracting support.
“The Space Force has to create Delta 15 and its squadrons while also building the Services, mission deltas, and their associated squadrons. The service must ensure we resource the entity of the protect and defend enterprise to ensure we can accomplish our unique mission set,” said Lyon.
The significance of the delta number can be credited to special historical research to ensure heritage and lineage accuracy.
“Deltas 5, 15, and 25 are currently the C2 Deltas for the Space Force. We are maintaining the ‘5’ nomenclature for Delta numbering associated with command-and-control Deltas, which are unique from Mission Deltas, and the deltas under Space Training and Readiness Command,” said Lyon.
Lyon, currently the National Space Defense Center director and Joint Task Force – Space Defense, becomes triple-hatted as he assumes command of Delta 15.
“I am eager to see the successes that will come from this activation and the Deltas ongoing collaboration with the National Reconnaissance Office and joint partners,” Whiting said.
Space Operations Command is the fight-tonight force and first Field Command of the U.S. Space Force. SpOC's mission is to protect America and our Allies in, from, and to space… now and into the future.