Joint Task Force–Space Defense

The Joint Task Force–Space Defense (JTF–SD) was a joint task force and subordinate command of United States Space Command. It was responsible for executing control of space defense and space domain awareness units to protect and defend U.S. space capabilities.^[2]

Joint Task Force–Space Defense
Joint Task Force–Space Defense shield
Active	29 August 2019–6 December 2023
Country	United States
Type	Joint task force
Role	Space defense
Part of	Combined Joint Task Force–Space Operations
Headquarters	Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, U.S.[1]
Website	www.jtf-spacedefense.mil
Insignia
Flag

Mission

Joint Task Force–Space Defense's mission was to "conduct, in unified action with mission partners, space superiority operations to deter aggression, defend U.S. and Allied interests, and defeat adversaries throughout the continuum of conflict."^[3]

Structure

Joint Task Force–Space Defense included:^[4]

• National Space Defense Center (NSDC), Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado

History

Joint Task Force–Space Defense was established immediately after the establishment of United States Space Command on August 29, 2019.^[4]A ceremony recognizing the establishment of the JTF–SD was held on October 21, 2019 at Schriever AFB.^[5]

JTF–SD was inactivated on 6 December 2023 with the activation of United States Space Forces – Space.^[6][7][8] On 8 January 2024, a ceremony was held to inactivate JTF–SD.^[9]

List of commanders

No.	Commander		Term			Service branch
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Term length
1		Major General Thomas L. James	29 August 2019	4 November 2022	3 years, 67 days	U.S. Army
2		Brigadier General Dennis Bythewood	4 November 2022	6 December 2023	1 year, 32 days	U.S. Space Force

See also

• Combined Force Space Component Command