CSO highlights growing U.S.-Italian cooperation in space operations

Published May 9, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Emmeline James
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman emphasized the critical role of partnerships and the growing strategic importance of space during his remarks at the 2nd International AeroSpace Power Conference in Rome, May 8.

Speaking to an audience of military officials, academics, industry leaders and media — Saltzman discussed the evolving nature of space as a warfighting domain and its integration into civilian life and modern military operations.

“It is no longer a mystery or a curiosity. Now the space domain is a vital national interest. It is a region with geography and terrain to contest and control,” Saltzman said. “It is a warfighting domain as critical to the fight as the land, sea or air. This is a significant change from the world many of grew up in, but it is a change that we’d better adapt to and quickly, because let me assure you, as a student of history – wherever national interests are found, they are inevitably followed by competition, crisis and conflict.”

Saltzman used historical examples to illustrate the evolving understanding of the space domain, starting from early astronomical debates in the 1920s to today's interconnected global infrastructure that heavily relies on space.

He also highlighted the increased vulnerability that accompanies this dependency, referencing a 2022 satellite ground station cyberattack, which occurred during the initial stages of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as a contemporary example of conflict involving space assets.

“Without satellites to support and integrate our combat power, we fight blindly and with one hand tied behind our back,” he said.

Saltzman pointed to the establishment of the U.S. Space Force as a strategic necessity to ensure space superiority — the ability to secure freedom of action for U.S. and allied forces while denying adversaries the same.

He said achieving that superiority requires recognizing the inherently global nature of the space domain. From orbital debris to destructive anti-satellite tests, space presents shared challenges that no single nation can manage alone, underscoring the need for multinational cooperation.

“Spacepower is a team sport,” Saltzman said. “You need a team, working in concert, holding their shape and executing tactics with unity of effort.”

Saltzman announced plans to develop a bilateral Country Action Plan between the U.S. Space Force and the Italian Air Force to strengthen that cooperation. The non-binding agreement will outline a framework for advancing integration through initiatives such as personnel exchanges, joint training and exercises, and expanded information sharing on space domain awareness, missile warning and tracking.

Saltzman cited the forthcoming Space Force International Partnership Strategy as the foundation for this work and emphasized that the success of any partnership hinges on mutual trust and benefit.

“My hope is that the plan we develop between the U.S. Space Force and the Italian Air Force will provide an excellent foundation for so much more,” he said. “We must build our future success on the partnerships we forge today.”

The International AeroSpace Power Conference is a biennial event hosted by the Italian Air Force and Ministry of Defence. This year's gathering included remarks from Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto and Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Luca Goretti among other senior U.S. and allied military officers.

Saltzman reinforced the need for deliberate, coordinated action among spacefaring allies. As the domain grows more contested, he said partnerships like the one between the United States and Italy will be critical to maintaining security, stability and access in space.