The Commander US Space Command, General James H. Dickinson, has held his first visit to the headquarters of UK Space Command at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
The visit was hosted by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the RAF Deputy Commander Operations, Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew, the UK Director Space, Air Vice-Marshal Harv Smyth, and General Dickinson’s counterpart in the UK, Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, the inaugural Commander UK Space Command.
“I am pleased to be here in the UK, meeting with my British counterparts. Our allies and partners are the greatest advantage we have, and the UK remains one of our closest allies in all domains. Building strong alliances with like-minded partners such as the UK is a core part of our strategy to preserve free and open access to the benefits of space that has enabled all of us to prosper.”
General James H. Dickinson
Commander US Space Command
General Dickinson was joined by several representatives from the US Armed Forces, including Colonel Charles Metrolis of the US Air Force, the US Air Attaché to the UK. As well as meeting RAF and UK Space Command personnel, they visited the UK Space Operations Centre and the National Air and Space Operations Centre.
Throughout the visit, participants were able to hold in-depth discussions on UK-US space operations, and the many space programmes that the UK and US cooperate in, such as the Combined Space Operations Initiative, Operation Olympic Defender, and the NATO Space Centre.
“Being able to host General Dickinson today at the new UK Space Command provided the opportunity to discuss a great many things face to face. The global future is uncertain but both the UK and US are aligned on their desire to ensure space is safe for all to use.”
Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey
Commander UK Space Command
UK Space Command was officially formed on 1st April 2021 and initially located at RAF High Wycombe alongside RAF Air Command. It is a Joint Command staffed from the Royal Navy, British Army, RAF, and the Civil Service, as well as working alongside the MOD Space Directorate. Together they aim to build on existing RAF space structures and deliver joint national space capability, policy, strategy and cross-government and international coordination.
The US Space Command protects and defends US interests in space, with a domain starting from about 60 miles above the surface of the earth upwards. The Command's mission focuses on four specific areas: deter aggression; defeat the nation's enemies through posture and preparedness; deliver space combat power; and defend US, allied and partner interests.
