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Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel, U.S. Space Forces Europe and Space Forces Africa commander, addressed European and international defense leaders, industry representatives and partners at the Space Defense and Security Summit in Paris, Sept. 15.
“Space is a warfighting domain. Full stop,” Fernengel said. “The space components are using the tried-and-true methods of providing service warfighters to combatant commands to integrate, synchronize and execute operations. The culture of these units of action have transitioned from a support mindset to a warfighting mindset and they now eat, breathe and live through joint functions and our hungry to effectively close friendly kill chains, while maintaining the ability to disrupt the adversary’s kill chains.
Fernengel discussed the importance of resilient and interoperable space capabilities, how the command provides combat power to allies and the joint force. Additionally, he met one on one with representatives from Belgium, Netherlands, France and Germany.
“We must drive toward true operational integration,” Fernengel said. “We are stronger together, but we must mature and evolve as a collective. True integration means resolving two highly difficult areas well before a crisis begins: authorities and targeting.
Finally, Fernengel underscored the importance of connecting technical innovation to operational needs. He said industry and government must continue working together to develop capabilities that can be fielded and adapted at the pace required by the security environment.
“Space is a team sport,” Fernengel said. “Our security across the entire space domain relies on a fundamental shift in how we think, how we invest and most importantly, how we fight.”
