The summit brought together Joint Integrated Space Team (JIST) leaders from across the United States’ combatant commands (CCMDs), providing a forum to align with US Space Command’s (USSPACECOM) strategic direction and ensure space expertise is embedded into planning, operations and exercises worldwide.
General Stephen Whiting, commander of USSPACECOM, told attendees they were “critical elements supporting cross-CCMD integration”, urging them to help combatant commands understand how space capabilities can shape their campaigns and wargames while countering adversary threats.
JISTs act as space liaisons within each of the 10 CCMDs, tailoring solutions to regional challenges ranging from intelligence and security cooperation to operational planning. Over the past year, they have been central to exercises in the Indo-Pacific, where demand for space support has grown rapidly.
Captain David Tebbe, JIST director for US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), said adversaries’ expanding space architectures had increased risks to US forces in the region. “USINDOPACOM’s need for USSPACECOM support will continue to grow in the years to come,” he said.
Elsewhere, JISTs have been integral to operations in South America and the Middle East. Colonel John Kolb, JIST director for US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), highlighted the integration of space into USSOUTHCOM’s Enhanced Domain Awareness program, giving commanders a dedicated platform to request and employ space-based support.
In the Middle East, Colonel Robert McConnell, JIST director for US Central Command, outlined how space assets have become critical to planning during crises such as Iran’s attacks on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and operations in Yemen.
Command Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sergeant Jacob Simmons stressed that collaboration and information-sharing remain vital as the space enterprise matures. “As we improve our integration within warfighting institutions, we inherently enhance our collective effectiveness,” he said.
General Whiting added that coordination between USSPACECOM, JISTs and the broader US military will remain central to future operations, pointing to an upcoming panel at the Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference on the nexus of space, cyber and special operations as an example of this ongoing integration.