VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A delegation from partner nation Chile visited the 18th Space Defense Squadron here to discuss a myriad of prominent topics dominating the space industry Sept. 14, 2023.
The visit was hosted by the Combined Force Space Component Command and primarily focused on Space Domain Awareness. The objective of the visit was to inform partner senior officers on SDA and command and control, increase understanding and benefits of existing SSA sharing agreements, and increase partner information sharing, interoperability, and integration.
The delegation included five members from the Chilean Air Force, representing a range of ranks and space specialties, and two U.S. members from USSOUTHCOM, led by U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Brandon P. Alford.
The itinerary for the visit included a mission briefing, a discussion with 18 SDS operators, a briefing on Chilean SDA capabilities and Space-Track.org familiarization training. The brief provided the delegation with an overview of the squadron's role in space surveillance and tracking, as well as its contributions to CFSCC's SDA mission.
The discussion with 18 SDS operators allowed the delegation to learn about the day-to-day operations of a space defense squadron and the challenges and opportunities that revolve around SDA.
The Chilean brief highlighted their growing SDA capabilities and commitment to collaborating with partners in the future. The Space-Track.org familiarization training provided the delegation with hands-on experience with one of the Space Force's primary SDA tools.
Throughout the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with 18 SDS personnel and other CFSCC representatives. The visit was a valuable opportunity to promote information sharing between the United States and Chile on SDA.
"The successful engagement between Chilean Air Force members at a Space Force unit is a testament to the strong relationship between our two countries and our shared commitment to space security,” said Alford. “Such engagements are essential for building trust, understanding, and interoperability between our forces. By working together and sharing information, we can build a stronger and more effective space domain awareness capability. I am confident that this engagement will lead to even greater cooperation on space security in the future."
The visit also promoted interoperability between the U.S. and Chile on SDA. By training together and familiarizing themselves with each other's systems and procedures, the two countries can better cooperate on SDA operations in the future.