HUNSTVILLE, Ala. –
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Morrissey, director of strategy, plans and policy at U.S. Space Command, gave a keynote address at the 26th Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 10, 2023.
Morrissey’s remarks focused on USSPACECOM’s commitment to mission integration, something that he believes is crucial to missile defense and the achievement of all-domain dominance in potential conflicts of the future.
“In response to the rapidly changing strategic environment, USSPACECOM is leveraging today’s spacepower in new ways to achieve greater effects,” he said. “Our key to victory relies on getting the most out of available assets. We do this by leveraging the full range of capabilities across the U.S. government, Joint Force and our allies and partners.”
Earlier this year,
USSPACECOM assumed the role as the DoD’s trans-regional missile defense lead from U.S. Strategic Command after the President signed the 2022 Unified Command Plan in a move that showcased how space capabilities are evolving the way the joint force operates. USSPACECOM commander, U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, explained at the time that bringing together missile warning, missile defense and space domain awareness under one command as the Global Sensor Manager exemplified high-functioning mission integration. He said it gave the U.S. the ability to more effectively use sensor data for rapid detection, characterization, tracking and dissemination to all theaters to defeat threats.
Morrissey,
whose career has strong roots in missile defense, expanded on the GSM role during his remarks at the SMD symposium.
“In this GSM role, we’re linking the best sensors to the best effectors on relevant timelines,” he said. “We’re able to do this effectively because we operate the most extensive and exquisite sensor networks in the world and that gives us an asymmetric advantage against our competitors.”
The general also mentioned how USSPACECOM’s strong network of allies and partners are having a profound effect on space operations and missile defense.
“Our team is only as strong as our integration of allies and partners,” he said. “No single country can face this vast domain alone and we’re continuously working on improved integration.
Exercise Global Sentinel is a great opportunity to generate synergy with space-faring nations around the globe, the last one featured participation from 25 countries. Another example is Exercise Nimble Titan, our multinational integrated air and missile defense wargame.”
In July of this year, representatives from 28 nations convened for the
Nimble Titan 24 Conflict Event Design and Planning Workshop in Helsinki, Finland. Since Nimble Titan’s inception in the early 2000s, membership has nearly tripled in size, highlighting the importance of addressing missile threats across multiple regions and warfighting domains.
Morrissey concluded his remarks by emphasizing USSPACECOM will continue to work with allies and partners to plan, execute, and integrate military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression, defend national interests, and when necessary, defeat threats.
“Grounded in a warfighting mindset, USSPACECOM’s team of professionals ensures there is never a day without space,” he said.