US Space Force setting up its own Special Operations Command

The US Space Force, the military’s newest branch established in 2018, is setting up its own Special Operations Command. This is part of efforts to enhance the capabilities of special operations through the integration of space-based expertise.

Unlike traditional special operators, Space Force guardians will not be crawling through mud or eating snakes, but they will play a crucial role in supporting elite units like Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets under the operational control of the US Special Operations Command, commonly known as SOCOM.

First reported by Hope Seck for Sandboxx News, this move highlights the Space Force’s evolution as it plans to establish a dedicated component within SOCOM to bolster its missions and operations.

The Space Force Special Operations Command was technically established in 2025, according to a March 26 statement provided for the record of testimony before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. This command is designed to deliver specialized space personnel and capabilities to SOCOM’s units responsible for campaigning and theater special operations commands.

However, while the command exists on paper, it has not yet been fully manned or stood up. A Space Force spokesperson explained to Task & Purpose that there is no definite timeline for its full activation, but the service is actively working to identify requirements to meet the growing demands of combatant commanders’ space needs. Currently, a Space Force Special Operations Element at MacDill Air Force Base provides support to SOCOM, bridging the gap until the command is fully operational.

The importance of space operations in the realm of special operations cannot be overstated, as leaders in the field view it as the next frontier. Lt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, the Army’s top special operations commander, has frequently emphasized this perspective, often appearing alongside his counterparts from the Army’s space and cyber commands at conferences and public events. He believes that teaming up the physically toughest troops with the most technologically advanced will be pivotal in future conflicts. Braga has described this collaboration as the “Cyber-Space-SOF Triad,” a modern-day approach that converges unique accesses, capabilities, authorities, understanding, and effects, much like traditional combined arms operations. Essentially, when special operators charge into combat, they want the maximum amount of space-based intelligence and digital advantages at their disposal.

The Space Force’s efforts extend beyond SOCOM, as the service is also establishing components to support other commands. A Space Force spokesperson told Task & Purpose that six service components have already been activated, including U.S. Space Forces – Indo-Pacific, U.S. Space Forces – Central, U.S. Space Forces – Europe and Africa, U.S. Space Forces – Space, U.S. Space Forces – Korea, and U.S. Space Forces – Japan.

These standups are a critical step in normalizing the presentation of space forces and providing clarity in command relationships, roles, and responsibilities within the Joint Force and across all theaters. While the air-conditioned control centers where guardians monitor radar scopes and interpret intelligence signals may seem far removed from the gritty reality of special operations missions, their contributions are increasingly vital.

Even as the Space Force builds its Special Operations Command, it already boasts unique characters like at least one “Space Ranger” and several “Space Cowboys” who have completed the infamous “spur ride” with 1st Infantry Division cavalry scouts. These individuals represent the service’s early steps into specialized roles, setting the stage for a more robust presence within SOCOM. As the smallest military branch continues to grow, its focus on space capabilities promises to redefine how special operations are conducted in an era where technology and information are as critical as physical prowess.