US Space Forces Korea holds first change of command ceremony

Published July 17, 2024
By Maj. Rachel Buitrago
U.S. Space Forces Korea

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- Col. John Patrick accepted command of U.S. Space Forces Korea from Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, July 12.

The event marks the first official change of command for the unit, which was activated as a USSF field component under U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific and assigned to the U.S. Forces Korea sub-unified command in December 2022.

Patrick took command of SPACEFOR-KOR from his previous assignment at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he established NATO’s Combined Force Space Component Command and the NATO Space Centre. He is a career space operations officer, with command experience at the squadron level and joint experience in both Germany and Belgium.

Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, recognized the benefit of Patrick’s history in his comments during the ceremony.

A uniformed man in camouflage stands behind a wooden podium in left corner of a photo, with a large U.S. flag hanging horizontally behind him and the U.S. flag hanging on a small post upright on the right side of the photo. — Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, provides remarks during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, South Korea, July 12, 2024. The event marked the first official change of command for U.S. Space Forces Korea, which was activated as a USSF field component under U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific and assigned to the USFK sub-unified command in December 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Tam)

“His entire career has prepared him for the diverse and complex missions of the Indo-Pacific. He has served two tours with [United States European Command], working directly with our NATO allies, and brings a detailed understanding of coalition operations and alliance integration here to Korea,” Mastalir said.

The ceremony drew attendance from high-ranking officials, service members, and distinguished guests from across South Korea, highlighting the importance of SPACEFOR-KOR’s role in the South Korea-U.S. Alliance.

“Our two nations understand the value of a joint, combined coalition,” Mastalir said. “Whether it’s participating in combined exercises, conducting exchanges, or executing operations together — U.S. Space Forces Korea is the tip of the spear for allied space integration and preserving peace in the Indo-Pacific."

SPACEFOR-KOR provides space planning and employment expertise, as well as space command and control to the USFK commander. Since its activation, the unit made significant strides integrating space operations with the joint force, providing organic space planning and employment expertise, and supporting the combatant commander with space command and control capabilities.

“U.S. Space Forces Korea provides capabilities that support multi-domain operations in Korea, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. Our joint, combined forces operate more effectively because of the Guardians that stand before us here today,” said Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea, speaking as the ceremony’s presiding officer.

As tradition dictates, the event included the passing of the flags in front of SPACEFOR-KOR Guardians to signify the change of authority from one commander to the other.

Two men in camouflage uniforms stand together displaying a certificate between them in front of a row of military flags, with a large U.S. flag hanging horizontally behind them as a backdrop. — Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion, U.S. Space Forces Korea outgoing commander, receives the Defense Superior Service Medal during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, South Korea, July 12, 2024. The DSSM is awarded by the Secretary of Defense to military officers who perform exceptionally within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, special or outstanding command in a defense agency or any other joint activity designated by the secretary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Tam)

The ceremony also included the presentation of the U.S. Defense Superior Performance Medal to McCullion by LaCamera. The DSSM is awarded by the Secretary of Defense to military officers who perform exceptionally within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, special or outstanding command in a defense agency or any other joint activity designated by the secretary.

“[McCullion] ensured that space-based training objectives were expertly integrated into our annual joint, combined training exercises,” LaCamera said. “He expertly led his team in coordinating space operations, which includes missile warning, position, navigation and timing, and satellite communications, in the Korean theater of operations.”

McCullion concluded his time as the first SPACEFOR-KOR commander and departs for his next assignment as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Division Chief of Space and Integrated Air and Ballistic Missile Defense.

This position marks the first time Patrick has been permanently assigned to the Republic of Korea, although he completed several temporary duty missions here. He expressed his excitement to finally be station in Korea with his concluding remarks.

“As military members we are often asked where we come from — for me, it’s wherever the Space Force sends me … and now I get to say, ‘I’m from Osan.’” Patrick said, recounting a family history of military service extending to his grandfather. “When I get asked why I do what I do, in part it’s to carry on my family legacy to support and defend the United States, and now, the Republic of Korea.”