News | Nov. 22, 2021

USSPACECOM conducts exercise Space Thunder

By U.S. Space Command Public Affairs Office

U.S. Space Command conducted the first exercise designated Space Thunder from Nov. 2-10, 2021.

Space Thunder 22 provided training opportunities for USSPACECOM to exercise its mission areas, with a specific focus on ensuring processes are in place to deliver continuous global space effects to the joint force. Approximately 30 USSPACECOM headquarters staff, in collaboration with its components and subordinate units, also sharpened command relationships to ensure USSPACECOM can execute its supported role: to protect and defend the space domain.

“Space Thunder 22 tested U.S. Space Command’s ability, in unified action with mission partners, to conduct space superiority operations to deter aggression, defend capability and defeat simulated adversaries throughout the continuum of conflict,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Damon Feltman, mobilization assistant to the director of Operations, Training and Force Development. “The diverse, joint and total force approach USSPACECOM warfighters applied throughout the exercise demonstrated how fast the command is progressing towards achieving full operational capability.

Space Thunder is integrated with U.S. Strategic Command’s exercise Global Thunder, which is designed around realistic training activities against simulated adversaries with the goal of evaluating areas to further improve nuclear readiness and strategic deterrent capabilities. 

During fiscal year 2022, USSPACECOM will also conduct exercises with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. European Command to further develop advanced concepts for joint planning and employment, while building durable supported and supporting relationships for globally integrated operations.

In each exercise, USSPACECOM will refine its global responsibilities, which include satellite communications and sensor management, as well as the ability to plan, integrate, conduct and assess global space operations in order to deliver combat relevant space capabilities to combatant commanders, coalition partners, the joint force and the nation.