Chief Master Sgt. John Bentivegna, 14th Air Force command chief, Maj. Gen. John Shaw, 14th Air Force commander, and Col. Anthony Mastalir, 30th Space Wing commander, clap as the National Defense Authorization is signed establishing the United States Space Force Dec. 20, 2019, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The mission of the U.S. Space Force is to protect the interests of the United States in space; deter aggression in, from and to space; and conduct space operations. The United States Space Force is an independent military service that will develop space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities that enable our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. U.S. Space Force responsibilities will include developing military space professionals, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hanah Abercrombie)