The online publication "Small Wars Journal" published Dylan Nigh's material "One More Link to the Stars: Space Training in Special Operations" ("Another link to the stars: space training of special operations forces") about the increasing role of space systems and capabilities in the actions of modern special operations forces. The publication is interesting for showing the significant efforts already being made to train personnel of "non-space" types and branches of the US armed forces on the use of space technology and its capabilities.
A US Special Operations Forces soldier with a portable satellite communication station (c) Leonardo DRS
"The earth is the cradle of humanity, but you can't stay in the cradle forever" - Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.
These words were supposed to inspire the world to view space travel as an inevitability. In the same spirit, now the Special Operations Forces (SSO) should consider further space integration as an inevitable step in our evolution. The growth of space capabilities and strategic competition makes it obvious that it is necessary to leave the notorious "cradle". While strategic changes are already taking place at higher levels, there remains a need for additional communication between the MTR and space. Communication can be units and individuals who must do everything possible to expand space knowledge from scratch among representatives of special operations forces. This article will consider the relevant prerequisites for this need and possible actions for the development of this direction.
The growth of space capabilities and knowledge
The need for integration between the two communities only increased when we entered what some call the "second space age". This new era has been marked by the growth of commercial space assets, the creation of space-oriented defense organizations, and large-scale space education efforts.
First, commercial companies such as SpaceX have revived the development of rocket technology and satellite technology by introducing breakthrough innovations such as the Star Link satellite constellation. Such systems not only provide cheaper options for global satellite and GPS coverage, but also inspire defense partners to focus on small satellites and other capabilities. Secondly, the armed forces around the world have moved to the creation of autonomous branches of the armed forces or associations associated with outer space. Along with the US Space Force, Canada has recently activated its 3rd Space Division, and Australia has created its own Space Defense Command.
Finally, the renewed civilian interest in space was accompanied by the efforts of representatives of the defense sector to spread knowledge about space among the armed forces. Organizations such as the Center of Excellence in the Field of Space and Missile Defense (Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence - SMDCOE) have expanded the catalog of their courses, organized mobile training groups (Mobile Training Team - MTT) to large implementations and offered free online training. The improvements are taking place against the backdrop of a change in the direction of US policy from counter-insurgency to strategic rivalry, which further increases the need to focus on the space sphere.
Adaptation to strategic competition
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the US armed forces are undergoing major changes in policy and structure that take into account the growing threat from Russia and China. But some may have missed the mention of the space sphere in the strategies published at all levels of command of the US armed forces. The widespread inclusion of this topic is due to the significant achievements in the field of space achieved by both these countries.
Russia integrated space into its defense structure even before the creation of the world's oldest Space Force in 1992, and Soviet-era satellites were often used for military surveillance. More recently, they have stepped up the development of their GPS counterpart GLONASS and signed agreements with China regarding lunar research bases. First of all, the Russians pose a threat in the form of anti-satellite (ASAT) technologies, communication interference and even directed energy weapons.
China has similarly supported its GPS competitor, BeiDou3, with decimeter-wave (UHF) messaging and 5G expansion. In addition, they unveiled plans to reach all celestial bodies from the Moon to Neptune in the coming decades and put into operation a "nuclear fleet" of launch vehicles. There are also more direct threats in the form of an "unbreakable" quantum communications satellite, the proven capabilities of the anti-satellite system (ASAT) and even a payload designed to manipulate and monitor American satellites.
In the case of both of these countries, such threats have forced the US MTR to focus more and more on space integration.
Increased attention to space integration in the MTR
The shift towards space integration has occurred in all branches of the US Armed forces and leaders such as the Major General of the US Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) James F. Glynn and Lieutenant General of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) James Slife, noted the need for further efforts in the development of electronic warfare (EW), cybersecurity and space. Lieutenant General Jonathan P. Braga of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) said that special forces, space and cyber operations constitute a "modern triad."
It has been several years since external organizations, such as Sofwerx, began conducting Rapid Response Assessments (RCA) at the intersection of electronic warfare, cybersecurity, space and MTR. These efforts correspond to networking at strategic levels in the armed forces.
The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) recently entered into a partnership agreement with the US Space Forces to deliver payloads into orbit, considered the possibility of placing payloads on satellites belonging to organizations such as the Office of Advanced Research Projects of the US Department of Defense (DARPA), and is even negotiating with commercial companies on the use of satellite groupings, such as Starlink or OneWeb. Although these changes are a positive moment and work towards further convergence of the MTR and space potential, there is still a lot of work to be done at the tactical level.
Actions at the unit level
The last link in the chain between the SSO and the cosmos is the instilling of space knowledge at the tactical level to the SSO units. Units can begin to form this connection through the following actions: assigning positions in the space field, sending personnel to space training and encouraging individuals to independent space education.
Working through the Army Space Personnel Development Office (ASPDO), units can appoint people to positions that will be coded as "space", opening up unique training opportunities for them. This serves as a viable long-term option and even non-space asset military personnel can attend space training with a proper Policy Exception (ETP).
One such course that is open to non-space positions with ETP is the Army Space Cadre Basic Course (ASCBC). This course is dedicated to training a wider range of members of the US armed forces in the application and tactical aspects of space capabilities, systems and organizations. The 10-day Army Space Cadre Course, which is conducted at the Peterson Space Force Base, introduces trainees to basic concepts and connects them with units that can offer additional knowledge about space and capabilities.
Those interested in courses such as ASCBC can also work with visiting the Mobile Training Group (MTT), whose courses are already offered at facilities such as Fort Drum and Joint Military Base Lewis-McCord. For West Point cadets specializing in astronautics or geospatial information, MTT training groups were even held.
Finally, those who are interested in expanding their knowledge about space can develop independently by viewing the official manual FM 3-14 ("Army Space Operations" - "Army Space Operations") and ASPDO's own magazine "The Purview". Additional online courses for self-study in subjects such as orbital mechanics and electronic warfare in space can be found on the Army Space Knowledge Management Site (ASKMS).
Conclusions
Major changes at the strategic level of both the armed forces and special operations forces have become a reaction to the progress in space capabilities and the growth of strategic competition. In addition to the necessary strategic changes, more can be done at the tactical level to bring the SSO out of its cradle into the space sphere. In the US Armed Forces, units and units can appoint positions in the space field, undergo formal training in organizations such as SMDCOE, and even encourage the self-development of their personnel.
Many of the most significant shifts in the history of the MTR began from scratch, and the space direction can once again confirm this rule. I believe that with sufficient effort of enterprising people and units, one more link can be added to the chain connecting the SSO and the cosmos.
