EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The USA Area Power was acknowledged because the “honored service” on the 62nd annual Armed Forces Day Parade on Might 18 in Torrance, California, one of many largest and longest celebrations of the its type in the US.
“That is all about connecting with the group,” stated US Area Power Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, who served because the parade's grand marshal and heads the Area Techniques Command (SSC). headquartered at Los Angeles Air Power Base in El Segundo. Calif., just some miles from the parade route “And it’s an opportunity to provide again to the Metropolis of Torrance – phenomenal supporters of our navy, all providers.
Together with Armed Forces Day occasions, Area Power personnel participated in Los Angeles Fleet Week and Memorial Day commemorations all through the area.
On the Armed Forces Day Parade, retired Area Power Col. Michael Hopkins served because the honorary Grand Marshal. Hopkins is a former NASA astronaut who served aboard the Worldwide Area Station in 2020, logging a complete of 168 days in area and transferring from the US Air Power to the Area Power whereas in orbit. .
“The Area Power itself is fairly particular simply because it's so new; we haven't been round that lengthy,” Hopkins stated. “The truth that now you’ve gotten the chance for everybody to see the Area Power, and listen to what we do, and what we’re able to, is implausible.”
The Area Power is the nation's latest navy department, with a 2023-24 funds of about $30 billion and about 15,000 navy and civilian personnel, often known as “Guardians.” It was shaped in 2019 and celebrates its fifth anniversary in December of this yr. All through the celebration weekend, Guardsmen, Airmen, civilians and contractors who make up the Area Power's Area Techniques Command got here out in drive to assist Torrance's three-day salute to our nation's navy and unfold the phrase of the Area Power, its mission and its historical past.
“It was a variety of enjoyable,” stated 2n.d Lt. Matthew Clingerman, one of many Guardians working the occasion. “Everybody stopped and requested questions like 'what’s the Area Power?' “What do you do for the Area Power?” “what are the kinds of satellite tv for pc fashions now we have on show?” It was a very good expertise simply to reply their questions and work together with them.”
Highlights included an exhibit space that displayed satellite-scale renderings, missile replicas, and a timeline of SSC's 70-year evolution starting with the Western Improvement Division analysis and improvement group ( WDD) of the Air Power's Chilly Battle period, which opened its doorways within the close by metropolis of Inglewood in 1954.
“With our fifth anniversary arising in December, and our department marking 70 years since WDD's founding in Inglewood, now we have an extended historical past right here,” stated Ms. Michiko Riley, a retired Air Power officer. of the US that oversees the group's commitments to the Area Techniques Command.
Torrance metropolis officers estimated the parade viewers at greater than 60,000; the Area Power was additionally represented in two separate occasions associated to the Armed Forces Day Celebration. At a proper night banquet attended by navy and area people company, Lt. Gen. Garrant stated the mission of the Area Power is advanced and broad, in peacetime and in any other case.
“Our mission is to safe our nation's pursuits in, from, and to area,” Garrant informed attendees. “We’re resilient, prepared and credible warfighters – offering the weapons techniques, educated personnel and warfighting experience wanted to protect US freedom of entry and motion in area, and to challenge area energy from area – throughout instances of competitors, disaster and battle.
Garrant additionally spoke at a separate luncheon for organizers and supporters of the Armed Forces Day celebration, highlighting the wide selection of missions of the Area Power and citing elevated exercise at Vandenberg Area Power Base, the nation's West Coast Launch Vary.
“In 2021, Area Techniques Command launched 11 rockets from Vandenberg. In 2022, we launched 19. And final yr we launched 37 rockets from the coast of California,” stated Garrant. “Have a look at this progress! From 11 launches to 19 launches to 37 launches. And now we have no plans to decelerate.”
The overall additionally talked in regards to the historical past that the Area Techniques Command and its predecessors had in Southern California.
“Area Power is the brand new child on the block. Formally, we're solely 5 years previous,” Garrant stated. “However really, our U.S. navy has been concerned in area for over 70 years and it began right here in Los Angeles County.”
Different latest group occasions in Southern California the place Area Techniques Command personnel signify the service and share related messages embody Los Angeles Fleet Week, Might 22-27 on the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California , and the Might 25 Memorial Day commemorations. the area.
Fleet Week Los Angeles is a public occasion hosted by the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard; the annual occasion honors all the armed forces however is concentrated on the maritime providers. Area Power missions embody direct assist of all armed providers, together with the US Navy.
“Our nation's satellites present safe communications in theater; climate and navigation for floor, air and fleet operations; and menace warning,” Garrant stated. “There isn’t a day with out area – definitely not within the twenty first century.”
