“It's all about community outreach,” said U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Philip Garant, who served as grand marshal for the parade and commands Space Systems Command (SSC), headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo. California, just a few miles from the parade route “It's an opportunity to give back to the city of Torrance — tremendous supporters of our military, and all the services.”
Along with Armed Forces Day events, Space Force personnel participated in Los Angeles Fleet Week and related Memorial Day celebrations throughout the region.
At the Armed Forces Day parade, retired Space Force Colonel Michael Hopkins served as honorary marshal. Hopkins is a former NASA astronaut who served aboard the International Space Station in 2020, logged a total of 168 days in space and transitioned from the US Air Force to the Space Force while in orbit.
“The Space Force itself is very special because it's so new; we haven't been around that long,” Hopkins said. “The fact that you now have the opportunity for everyone to see the Space Force, hear about what we're doing, what we're capable of, is fantastic.” “
The Space Force is the country's newest military branch, with a 2023-2024 budget of about $30 billion and about 15,000 military and civilian employees, known as “Rangers.” It was established in 2019 and celebrates its fifth birthday in December this year. Throughout the celebratory weekend, Rangers, Airmen, civilians and contractors who make up the Space Force's Space Systems Command came out to support Torrance's three-day salute to our nation's military and spread the word about the Space Force, its mission and its history.
“It was a lot of fun,” said 2nd Lt. Matthew Clingerman, one of the rangers working the event. “Everyone stopped and asked questions like: What does the Space Force do?” “What do you do for the Space Force?” “What types of satellite models do we offer?” It was a really good experience just answering their questions and interacting with them.
Highlights included an exhibition area that displayed large-scale displays of satellites, replicas of missiles, and a timeline of SSC's evolution over 70 years beginning with the Air Force's Cold War-era Western Development Division (WDD) research and development organization, which opened its doors in The nearby city of Englewood in 1954.
“With our fifth anniversary coming up in December, and our chapter celebrating 70 years of WDD in Inglewood, we have a long history here,” said Ms. Michiko Reilly, a retired U.S. Air Force officer who oversees community engagements. Space Systems Command.
Torrance city officials estimated the parade's audience at more than 60,000 people. The Space Force was also represented at two separate events associated with the Armed Forces Day celebration. At a formal evening banquet attended by military and community guests, Lt. Gen. Garant noted that the Space Force's mission is complex and wide-ranging, in peacetime and beyond.
“Our mission is to secure our nation’s interests in, to and from space,” Garant told attendees. “We are flexible, ready, and combat-credible — providing the weapons systems, trained personnel, and warfighting expertise needed to preserve America's freedom to access and operate in space, and to project space power from space — during times of competition, crisis, and conflict.
Garant also spoke at a separate luncheon for organizers and supporters of the Armed Forces Day observance, where he highlighted a wide range of Space Force missions and noted the increase in activity at Vandenberg Space Force Base, the nation's West Coast launch area.
“In 2021, Space Systems Command launched 11 rockets from Vandenberg. “In 2022, we launched 19 missiles,” Garant said. “Last year, we launched 37 missiles from the California coast.” “Look at this growth! 11 launches to 19 launches to 37 launches. And we have no plans to slow down.
The general also spoke about the history of Space Systems Command and its predecessors in Southern California.
“The Space Force is the new kid on the block. Officially, we're only five years old,” Garant said. “But in reality, our U.S. military has been involved in space for more than 70 years, and it all started right here in Los Angeles County.”
Other recent community events in Southern California where Space Systems Command personnel represented the service and shared similar messages included Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 22-27 at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, and Memorial Day-related observances on May 25 in the region.
Los Angeles Fleet Week is a public event hosted by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. This annual event honors all armed forces but focuses on the maritime services. Space Force missions include direct support of all armed forces, including the U.S. Navy.
“Our nation's satellites provide secure communications in theater; weather and navigation for land, air and fleet operations; and threat warning,” Garant said. “There is no day without space, and certainly not in the 21st century.”
