Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall recognizes Tech. Sgt. Scott Erway, Joint Task Force-Space Defense noncommissioned officer in charge of monitoring, during his visit to the organization Aug. 23, 2021, at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado. The secretary also recognized Maj. Adam Easley, National Space Defense Center mission director, while at the organization prior to visiting Space Operations Command units on the installation.

Brig. Gen. Dennis Bythewood, Joint Task Force-Space Defense deputy commander, escorts Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to the National Space Defense Center at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, on Aug. 23, 2021. Once there, Bythewood briefed him on the organization’s mission including its three core functions of space domain awareness, indications and warning and space superiority operations. This component executes protect and defend mission operations for U.S. Space Command and supports Kendall’s vow to make sure “our Air and Space Forces can fulfill their missions to defend the nation against our most challenging threats today and into the future."