As he welcomes new space commander, Esper warns of threats to U.S. satellites

The USA is the dominant house energy and the “positive factors we possess are being threatened,” mentioned Protection Secretary Mark Esper

WASHINGTON — Protection Secretary Mark Esper on Aug. 20 presided over a ceremony at Peterson Air Pressure Base, Colorado, the place House Pressure Gen. John “Jay” Raymond relinquished command of U.S. House Command and handed it over to Army Gen. James Dickinson.

In remarks on the ceremony, Esper mentioned U.S. House Command — a army combatant command established a yr in the past after being deactivated for 17 years — will play a central position in nationwide safety defending U.S. satellites from overseas threats.

The USA is the dominant house energy, mentioned Esper, “and the positive factors we possess are being threatened.”

China and Russia are probably the most regarding adversaries due to their superior anti-satellite weapons, mentioned Esper. “Our rivals are in search of new methods to use our techniques and undermine our army benefit.”

Similar to air, land and sea, “house energy will likely be important to any future battle,” mentioned Esper.

Dickinson is the primary Military officer to guide the army’s unified combatant command for house operations.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers Military Gen. Mark Milley mentioned in remarks on the ceremony that Esper personally selected Dickinson to guide U.S. House Command.

“We did a search, and plenty of candidates have been evaluated,” mentioned Milley. He mentioned Esper selected Dickinson for his fight expertise and character. The top of House Command is anticipated to supply goal and apolitical recommendation to the secretary of protection and the president in a time of disaster.

“This handover is large for America and for the world,” Milley mentioned of the change of command. “House Command is so critically necessary in right this moment’s world.”