During an open panel discussion at the 2026 AFA Air, Space and Cyber Conference , senior leaders emphasized that the U.S. Space Force must double in size over the next five years, a strategic imperative directly impacting USSF Combat Forces Command as it scales operational capacity to protect the Joint Force from space-enabled attack.
At the “Growth of the Space Force” session at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, panelists examined how the escalating threat landscape directly drives the mission requirements. Moderator Gen. Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), explorer chair at the Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, opened the dialogue by focusing on the operational challenges of shielding joint warfighters against adversary counter-space assets.
“The establishment of the Space Force certainly recognized the reality that space is a war-fighting domain. As such, we can no longer solely focus on simply delivering supporting effects, but must be prepared to fight through attacks and deliver direct effects,” said Chilton in his introductory remarks to the panel.