PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. –
U.S. Space Command commander, U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, visited Australia March 20-26, 2022.
While in Canberra March 20-23, Dickinson met with Australia’s Mr. Greg Moriarty, Defense Secretary, Vice Admiral David Jonston, Vice Chief of Defence Force, Lt Gen Greg Bilton, Chief of Joint Operations, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, Chief of Air Force, and Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts, Defense Space Command commander, to reaffirm the importance of space cooperation between the United States and Australia.
During Dickinson’s visit to Canberra, he attended the Air and Space Power Conference and met with Germany’s National Air Operations and Bundeswehr Space Command commander, Maj Gen Michael Traut and United Kingdom’s Space Command commander Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey.
At the Air and Space Power Conference dinner, Dickinson delivered the Keynote Address. Senior air and space leaders from across the Indo-Pacific and Europe attended the dinner alongside notable participants such as General Gary North (ret.), Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigsdon, UK Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, Lt Gen Aurelio COLAGRANDE, Italian Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, and Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, Chief of Australia Air Force.
At the dinner, Dickinson shared his perspective on challenges allies and partners face in the space domain and the importance of collaboration to overcome the challenges in a way that ensures its safety, security, stability, and sustainability. Dickinson highlighted the importance of acting responsibility in space while emphasizing how the strength of our partnerships can create an environment that holds irresponsible actors accountable. Also, he highlighted the importance of collaborating with industry for innovative solutions to address challenges in the space domain. Overall, he commented on how the Air and Space Power Conference demonstrated unity towards the common goals of deterrence and global cooperation among nations.
To conclude his trip in Canberra, Dickinson attended the Defense Space Command activation ceremony and then participated in a multilateral meeting with Hupfeld and Roberts, Godfrey and Wigston, and U.S. Space Force commander, Gen John Raymond, to discuss strengthening cooperation and collaboration to sustain freedom of action in space, optimize resources, and enhance mission assurance and resilience.
While in Adelaide March 24-25, Dickinson visited the RAAF Base Edinburgh and met with Australian Defence Forces at the Air War Warfare Centre, 83SQN SATOPS and 1 Remote Sensor Unit. Also, Dickinson concluded his visit with discussions with the Defence Science and Technology Chief of Intelligence, Surveillance and Space Division Mr Andrew Seedhouse and the Australian Space Agency.
As democratic anchors in the Indo-Pacific, the United States and Australia share an unshakeable commitment to defending freedom and democracy, championing opportunity, upholding human rights, respecting the rule of law, and countering state-sponsored disinformation.
USSPACECOM conducts operations in, from, and to space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the Joint and Combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners.