PARIS, France –
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2024 Release No. 2024-10-14-02
France Joins Space Multinational Force – OPERATION OLYMPIC DEFENDER
PARIS, France – U.S. Space Command formally recognized France’s membership in Multi-National Force-Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER (MNF-OOD) Oct. 14, 2024.
Gen. Stephen Whiting, USSPACECOM and Multinational Force OOD commander, and Maj. Gen. Phillipe Adam, French Space Command commander, and representatives from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany – the newest member inducted Oct. 11 – participated in the formal accessions ceremony in Paris to commemorate the historic occasion.
The multinational named operation represents a growing commitment among the closest allies in space to jointly strengthen defenses and deter aggression, ensuring space remains a domain that benefits all of humanity.
“The inclusion of France into MNF-OOD builds upon our enduring partnership and codifies our shared commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the domain against the growing range of threats,” said Whiting. “Seamlessly integrating with our international partners yields a collective, asymmetric advantage that cannot be replicated by any one nation, command, or service acting on their own.”
Originally established in 2013 under U.S. Strategic Command, OOD has expanded to a multinational effort that focuses to optimize space operations, improve mission assurance, enhance resilience of space-based systems, synchronize efforts to strengthen deterrence against hostile actors and reduce the spread of debris orbiting the Earth. In Spring 2024, the commander of USSPACECOM and MNF-OOD extended invitations to France, Germany, and New Zealand. In September 2024, New Zealand formally accepted the offer.
"For France, joining the Multi-National Force – Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER is a return to the spirit of La Fayette, in order to defend together freedom in space against growing threats," said Adam. “It marks a new stage in the conduct of military space operations in coalition and sends out a clear message of strategic solidarity with our Allies.”
Media queries should be sent to U.S. Space Command Public Affairs Office at 719-554-3478 or usspacecom.pa.workflow@us.af.mil.
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