Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth, the Director of the Ministry of Defence Space Directorate, visited the Combined Force Space Component Command at Vandenburg Space Force Base in California this week.
Air Vice-Marshal Smyth was met by Major General DeAnna Burt, the Commander of the Combined Force Space Component Command, and Group Captain Andy Hindley, the Deputy Head of Space Operations at UK Space Command. The Air Vice-Marshal and his team were shown the Combined Force Space Component Command headquarters, as well as the Combined Space Operations Centre and the US Space Force 18th Space Control Squadron.
During the visit, Air Vice-Marshal Smyth presented personnel with the new Space Operator badge, which signifies the skill and professionalism of space professionals across defence. Recipients included Corporal Astbury of the RAF, an Orbital Analyst in the 18th Space Control Squadron.