Delta 6 welcomes new commander

Published Aug. 26, 2024
By Keefer Patterson
Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Col. Travis Prater took command of Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Aug. 23.

Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., commander of Space Operations Command, presided over the ceremony.

“You will see a transformation of this command from a delta level that is mostly focused on [organizing, training and equipping] and providing capability to a component ready to defend and, where necessary, go on the offensive under Cyber Command’s leadership,” Miller said. “Travis’ career, when you look at him, he has been built for this job over the past 20 years … there’s nobody better to take the helm.”

Prater is the third commander to take charge of DEL 6, the organization responsible for providing assured access to space through the $14 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems.

Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander, provides opening remarks as the presiding official during the Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations change of command ceremony. — Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Jr., commander of Space Operations Command, provides opening remarks as the presiding official during the Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Aug. 23, 2024. Miller spoke about the importance of the Delta 6 mission to the USSF and praised the Guardians and Airmen who support its operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Col. Christopher Kennedy gives a speech on stage. — Col. Christopher Kennedy provides remarks as the outgoing commander of Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Aug. 23, 2024. After two years of commanding DEL 6, Kennedy will retire after a combined 23 years of service to the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Col. Travis Prater provides remarks as the new pace Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations commander. — Col. Travis Prater provides remarks as the new Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations commander during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Aug. 23, 2024. Prater is the third commander to take charge of DEL 6, the organization responsible for providing assured access to space through the $14 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

“To the warriors of Delta 6, our nation needs you now more than ever,” Prater said. “Victory is the only acceptable outcome. As such, we must aggressively rise to this challenge. Be bold in our approach to seize the opportunities and execute at the highest standards. I’m honored to serve alongside you as your commander. Together we will build a warrior culture to tackle challenges head on.”

Miller also praised outgoing commander, Col. Christopher Kennedy, for his leadership over the last two years.

“Chris, the rubber met the road during your time of leadership and the 1,100 folks that met under your command. You were successful in not only executing the cyber warfare mission but also executing the operations mission, something that really is the foundation of all our ability to deploy spacepower — 328,000 contacts for 200 spacecraft and supporting 100 launches in the last year alone.” Miller said. “It’s a $14 billion enterprise that Chris Kennedy and his team is responsible for. When we say they’re the vanguard of everything, there isn’t an operation in our business that this team doesn’t touch. So, I want to tell you that I’m very proud of you … I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re going to do next.”

Kennedy, who will be retiring after a combined 23 years of service to the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force, shared his thoughts during the ceremonial speech.

Guardians and Airmen stand in formation for the DEL 6 change of command ceremony. — Guardians and Airmen from Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations, stand in formation for the DEL 6 change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Aug. 23, 2024. Delta 6 provides assured access to space through the $14 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Jr., Space Operations Command commander, left, and Col. Christopher Kennedy, Commander, Space Delta 6, right, clap after Col. Travis Prater, center, officially took command of Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations during a change of command ceremony. — Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Jr., commander of Space Operations Command commander, and Col. Christopher Kennedy, Space Delta 6 outgoing commander, right, clap after Col. Travis Prater, center, officially takes command of Space Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations, during a change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Aug. 23, 2024. Established and activated in 2020, DEL 6 provides assured access to space through the $14 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Members of the 21st Force Support Squadron Honor Guard present the colors at the Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations change of command ceremony. — Members of the 21st Force Support Squadron Honor Guard present the colors at the Delta 6 - Space Access and Cyberspace Operations change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Au. 23, 2024. Delta 6 provides assured access to space through the $14 billion Satellite Control Network and defensive cyberspace capabilities for space mission systems. (U.S. Space Force Photo by Tiana Williams)

“It has been immensely rewarding to lead Delta 6 … I’m proud that we’ve created an environment where people want to work and join us,” Kennedy said. “We focused on the most pressing problems, whether they were unit or service level, and achieved great progress … team, keep up the great work. I know you’ll do outstanding for Colonel Prater.”

DEL 6 consists of nine squadrons and eight detachments/operating locations, across 13 geographically separated locations. The squadrons include the 21st Space Operations Squadron, 22nd SOPS, 23rd SOPS, 62nd Cyberspace Squadron, 64th CYS, 65th CYS, 68th CYS, 69th CYS and the 645th CYS.