The United States Space Force (USSF) Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman has announced a new addition to the Space Force headquarters staff, bringing a member of the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force to the organization.
Air Marshal Paul Godfrey took the position June 17 and will serve the U.S. Space Force as assistant chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships after three years as the first commander of the U.K. Space Command.
“This is a significant step forward in promoting closer cooperation with an important ally, and it exemplifies the kind of partnership we need to internalize as a service,” Saltzman said in a letter distributed to Guardians. “AM Godfrey’s integration into a senior service staff is unprecedented, and it pushes the boundaries of what it means to be Integrated by Design.”
In his new role, Godfrey assumes the rank of air marshal, equivalent of lieutenant general, and will advise Saltzman in all matters related to the achievement of space superiority and resilience through international partnerships.
“The U.S. has a long history of international cooperation and collaboration in all domains, including space,” Godfrey said. “Partnerships allow us to build trust, share information and truly integrate operations to maximize resilience and defend against aggressive behavior. It is a real honor to serve in this new position alongside my U.S. counterparts to deepen allied relationships and promote safety and security in space.”
One of the Space Force lines of effort is “Partner to Win” – emphasizing the importance of mutually beneficial relationships across the international community, joint force and industry.
“Partnerships are integral to the success of the Space Force,” Saltzman added. “We depend on the Air Force for vital infrastructure and mission support functions, we leverage commercial partnerships for technical acumen and a robust industrial base, and we rely on our international allies as critical force multipliers who expand our resilience and competitive advantage.”
Godfrey was the inaugural commander of the U.K. Space Command, which was established April 1, 2021. Prior to this role, he served in the Middle East within the U.S. Air Force’s Combined Air and Space Operations Center, was head of Carrier Enabled Power Projection for the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence, and was Station Commander of RAF Lossiemouth, a Typhoon base in Scotland. He is also a previous exchange pilot with the U.S. Air Force, serving on the 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, from August 2000 to May 2003.
