Space Force activates component command to NORTHCOM

Published Jan. 30, 2026
Combat Forces Command Public Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Space Force activated a new component field command, Jan. 30 at Peterson Space Force Base.

The command, titled U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. This is the seventh Space Force service component activation since November of 2020 when Space Forces Indo-Pacific stood up.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman provides opening remarks during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson SFB, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre) — Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman provides opening remarks during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre)

“Space forces and capabilities are a critical part of the Joint Force package, and by normalizing our force presentation we are able to integrate all activities within individual force offerings,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said. “We are on track to establish service components in all combatant commands, resulting in a Space Force better postured to employ forces and expertise to deter conflicts and win wars.”

Space Force service components provide regionally tailored operational effects to combatant commanders to increase their lethality of forces, sustain freedom to maneuver, enable and support deterrence against adversaries and support order mission requirements.

“As technological and numeric threats to the nation intensify, Space Forces Northern will bring crucial capabilities to the homeland defense mission, including enhanced domain awareness; missile warning and tracking; positioning, navigation and timing; satellite communications; and the capacity for orbital and electromagnetic warfare,” said Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.

Gen. Gregory Guillot, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander, provides remarks during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson SFB, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre) — Gen. Gregory Guillot, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander, provides remarks during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre)

Gen. Gregory Guillot, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander passes the guidon emblazoned with the Space Forces-Northern emblem to Brig. Gen. Robert Schreiner, SPACEFOR-NORTH commander during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson SFB, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre) — Gen. Gregory Guillot, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander passes the guidon emblazoned with the Space Forces-Northern emblem to Brig. Gen. Robert Schreiner, SPACEFOR-NORTH commander during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre)

Brig. Gen. Robert Schreiner, SPACEFOR-NORTH commander provides closing remarks during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson SFB, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre) — Brig. Gen. Robert Schreiner, SPACEFOR-NORTH commander provides closing remarks during the SPACEFOR-NORTH activation ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Space Force photo by John Ayre)

SPACEFOR-NORTH will guide development and delivery of space capabilities that enable joint lethality and effectiveness for homeland defense. Additionally, in coordination with U.S. Space Command, they will design future requirements for space capabilities or effects required to achieve USNORTHCOM objectives.

“Increased global use of space requires combatant commanders to develop competencies in space operations,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Schreiner, SPACEFOR-NORTH commander. “SPACEFOR-NORTH will focus on delivering distinct space capabilities to USNORTHCOM in order to preserve freedom of action and provide independent options in, from and to space.”

To date, six Space Force Service components have been activated. This included Space Forces Indo-Pacific (Nov. 2022), Central (Dec. 2022), Space (Dec. 2023) and Europe-Africa (Dec. 2023). This includes subordinate components Space Forces Korea (Dec. 2022) and Japan (Dec. 2024) under Space Forces Indo-Pacific.