US Space Command chief credits team for success in keynote at 41st Space Symposium

Gen. Stephen Whiting opened the 41st Space Symposium’s program on April 14, 2026, linking 250 years of U.S. military history to the Joint Force’s current identity and readiness. Delivering his third keynote at the event as U.S. Space Command’s leader, he drew a throughline from the 1781 siege of Yorktown to modern space operations, emphasizing enduring principles and integrated action.

“That victory wasn’t just about courage on the battlefield, it was also about unity of effort, trust between partners, and the integration of capabilities—principles that remain at the core of how we operate today at U.S. Space Command,” Whiting said. “In 1781, control of the Chesapeake shaped the outcome at Yorktown,” Whiting said. “Today, space shapes the outcome of every global operation.”

He underscored a push he described as the command’s “Year of Integration,” pointing to progress in collaboration across the national security space enterprise. Recent efforts include the first “Campaigning with Commercial Partners” tabletop exercises. Cmdr. Heather Thomas, the command’s commercial integration lead, ran the inaugural Apollo Insight wargame in March, bringing together senior leaders from more than 60 companies to examine potential impacts of weapons of mass destruction in space and collective steps to prevent such scenarios.

“These partnerships are not symbolic…they accelerate innovation, expand warfighting capacity, and increase operational tempo that government alone cannot achieve,” Whiting explained. “Behind the scenes of this massive partnering effort is Cmdr. Heather Thomas—leading this effort with vision and innovation.”

Upcoming Apollo Insight iterations will address maneuver warfare alongside priorities such as proliferated orbits and missile defense. Citing demonstrations of orbital refueling and logistics by China, Whiting said the military must apply established maneuver principles to space operations.

“In space, we must perform, survive, and gain positional advantage. We want innovation that gives us maneuverability, endurability, and survivability—because maneuver warfare demands rapid, focused, and unexpected actions that shatter the enemy’s cohesion. A satellite which is locked in a predictable orbit is fighting from a fixed position, and it’s a target.”

He highlighted USSPACECOM’s Dr. Nick Martin and Lt. Col. Marshall Tillis for leading tests of the concept with service components and allies. Their teams are advancing solutions through wargaming, simulation, and modeling, using the Capabilities, Analysis and Verification Environment lab to visualize maneuver warfare strategies for space and inform future analysis.

Whiting also detailed expanded Allied integration under Multinational Force – Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER with Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the U.K. He noted three on-orbit operations conducted with France and the U.K. since 2024 and announced a new mission involving all seven nations: Operation Selene, led by Canada and coordinated by Royal Canadian Air Force Lt. Col. Joey Baker with 3 Canadian Space Division. Whiting called the effort the “most focused, combined space domain awareness operation to date.”

“Participating nations synchronized multi-domain effects across eight C2 centers, across all of our nations. Operation Selene pushed the limits of space surveillance systems while improving our ability to identify, attribute, and respond to our opponents’ behaviors on orbit. In fact, Operation Selene was so successful that I’m proud to announce we are now making it an enduring operation for MNF-OOD, further strengthening collective deterrence and defense in the space AOR.”

He connected operational achievements to human performance and readiness, recognizing Master Sgt. Oviel “OV” Mariscal Acosta of First Air Force, Detachment 3, for ensuring medical readiness for the Artemis II recovery and for delivering life-saving equipment that supported Crew 11’s early return from the International Space Station in January.

“His impact was on full display during Artemis II, and operations like that demand flawless medical readiness—something OV ensures through preparation and contingency planning. His work keeps us ready to protect and recover astronauts as we push further into space.”

Whiting said the command continues supporting U.S. Central Command through Operation EPIC FURY while managing a mission-focused transition of its headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama. He credited Lynne Wanderscheid with leading the move as the first USSPACECOM representative at Redstone Arsenal after the President’s September 2025 decision.

“Lynne, thank you. You didn’t just identify the problem—you became the solution by embedding yourself at Redstone,” Whiting said. “Today, Lynne leads the planning, design, and construction of the Command-and-Control Facility—the future platform for our critical mission execution.”

He closed by honoring Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pennington of Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s 1st Space Brigade, who died during Operation Epic Fury.

“He is not here today to stand among us, and yet his courage and dedication is impossible to overlook. Staff Sgt. Pennington’s sacrifice reminds us that every capability we hold in space is operated by heroes willing to give everything.” He added, “At 250 years, America advances with confidence and U.S. Space Command secures the final frontier for the next generation. We honor those who came before us, we stand on the shoulders of heroes like Staff Sgt. Pennington, and we continue forward—ever vigilant, ever ready, and ever committed to peace through strength.”