CSO delivers birthday message to Guardians Published Dec. 19, 2025 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Happy Sixth Birthday, Space Force! Over the last six years we’ve been in a sprint to build a world-class, modern, and combat-ready force. This was only possible because of you, our Guardians. Each of you has had a pivotal role in forging a stronger, more resilient, and more capable Space Force for the nation. This has been a year of tremendous growth in how we perform our vital missions across the globe. Here are just a few of the highlights that each of you enabled in 2025. November saw the 100th space launch this year from the Eastern Range – our first time crossing the triple-digit threshold at Cape Canaveral in a single year – with Team Vandenberg close behind. In July, over 700 Guardians across 55 locations exercised with the Joint Force and our allies during Resolute Space 25. We supported countless global military operations including airstrikes in the Middle East, naval transits of contested waters, homeland defense, and humanitarian relief. Our advanced capabilities provided precision navigation, intelligence, electronic warfare, situational awareness, and more – and I know you’re ready for whatever 2026 brings. We also delivered cutting-edge systems to boost our capability and global reach. These include the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) to replace the 30-year-old SPADOC and enhance Space Domain Awareness, revolutionary GPS satellites, upgraded missile warning systems, new launch vehicles, and Tranche 1 of our Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Because Guardians enable everything we do, we’ve invested in your readiness and training as well. 2025 brought new training and education opportunities for officers, enlisted, and civilians spanning military fundamentals, acquisitions, leadership, strategy, and technical areas to help Guardians reach their full potential throughout their careers. We also refined our career development processes, started issuing our own unique Service Dress and PT uniforms, and began selecting Guardians for part-time positions. You are all part of building the service we need, today and in the future. Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all our Guardians who will be working long hours throughout the holidays. I know this creates stressors for units and families, and on behalf of a grateful nation, I deeply appreciate your sacrifice and dedication. With the help of Guardians everywhere, we are forging the service the Joint Force and our nation demand – built on solid foundations, strong partnerships, and global reach. I’m incredibly proud of our achievements, and I’m honored to celebrate this birthday with you as one team, dedicated to one mission: securing our nation’s interests, in, from, and to space. Semper Supra!