Resolute Space 2025 is an operation that underscores the growing integration of Australian capabilities into America’s space warfighting plans.
The exercise, which began on 8 July, tests the Space Force’s ability to conduct complex, large-scale military operations in contested space environments. It is part of the broader US Department-level exercise series run jointly with the US Air Force.
GPCAPT May, a career RAAF intelligence officer, is serving as Deputy Commander of US Space Forces – Indo-Pacific for the exercise. In this role, he speaks and acts on behalf of the US Space Force, a striking example of the “allied by design” approach at the heart of the US Space Force International Partnership Strategy.
“The whole idea of this type of exercise is to place maximum pressure on our operational and command and control functions to understand where we need to improve,” May said.
GPCAPT May added, “It provides us the opportunity to try different techniques, planning processes and structures to see what works and then get better from it.”
For Australia, the benefits extend beyond training. The deep integration in Resolute Space 2025 provides a platform for Australian defence and space industry involvement in cutting-edge space operations.
As allied forces experiment with new systems, operational concepts and command structures, Australian companies specialising in satellites, sensors, software and secure communications have opportunities to deliver critical-enabling technologies.
Exercise director Colonel Jay Steingold said having an Australian officer in such a senior position strengthened day-to-day collaboration and broadened thinking on how to connect allied space capabilities.
“Just having Group Captain May’s position here, an Australian covering a critical US Space Forces - Indo-Pacific leadership role, encourages us all to think about the linkages between nations and strengthens our collaboration and coordination mechanisms on a daily basis,” COL Steingold said.
Col Steingold added, “My team’s responsibility in this exercise has been to put pressure on the joint and coalition space warfighters in the most realistic manner across the USINDOPACOM and USSPACECOM areas of operation. Our relations and coordination with allies and partners assure access to the space domain and this exercise validates those linkages and strengthens our relationships.”
Brigadier General Brian Denaro, the newly appointed Commander of US Space Forces – Indo-Pacific, said Resolute Space 2025 was designed to identify gaps in allied integration and fix them quickly. “It’s about making sure our processes, operations and organisational structures are fit to fight as one force with our partners.”
The US Space Force already incorporates liaison and exchange officers from about a dozen allied nations across every level of command – strategic, operational and tactical, with Australians among them.
Brig Gen Denaro said, “Resolute Space provides us an excellent opportunity to look at process, operations and organisational structure challenges to know where we need to make improvements to our allied and partner integration.”
GPCAPT May said the fact that the Space Force is the newest branch of the US military means it is building combined force elements into its structure from the outset, ensuring allied capabilities are hardwired into space operations.
For Australia’s defence and space sectors, participation in Resolute Space 2025 reinforces the nation’s role as a front-line contributor to allied space security.
It also positions Australian industry to support both sovereign and coalition requirements from satellite-based intelligence to space domain awareness and resilient communications – in a region where space has become a critical operational domain.
“Adaptability, agility and professionalism are core to what we represent as a Space Force service component to the largest combatant command in the world. There’s what we know, there’s what we can do, and there’s what we think is possible. You can’t stop there. Resolute Space takes us further beyond the edge of what we think is possible,” GPCAPT May added.
Resolute Space is designed to grow warfighters ready to deter emerging threats, leverage advanced technology and tactics to stay ahead of competitors and adversaries and defend US interests in, from and to space.
Through integrated large-scale exercises, Space Force Guardians hone the warfighting edge required to operate seamlessly with joint and allied forces.