Space Forces Southern was officially designated for activation on Wednesday during a ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Located near Tucson, Arizona, the base’s activation represents an integral part of “formalizing the command’s role in integrating space capabilities across the Western Hemisphere” by U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Space Force.
The new unit will be the space component of U.S. Southern Command and will function as the main base for collaborative space operations in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, according to reports. It will be an integral component in merging “space power with joint, interagency, and multinational partners to support regional security, deterrence, and stability” across those regions.
Col. Brandon P. Alford was named the first commander of Space Forces Southern on Wednesday, even though it became officially operational on Dec. 1, 2025. During Wednesday’s ceremony, he expressed enthusiasm and optimism regarding the “growing operational importance of space to missions conducted daily in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.”
“Today marks the beginning of a future that is more connected, more informed, agile, and more united in building together to be more capable,” said Alford. “As the first commander of Space Forces Southern, I accept this responsibility with humility and optimism. I am confident that together we will shape a space domain that reflects our shared values and shared aspirations.”
“We are not just standing up a command today,” Alford said. “Together, we are shaping the space domain so that what lies above us strengthens everything we value below.”
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman hailed the new base as proof of the country’s commitment to dealing with threats from nefarious actors “of all shapes and sizes.”
“This new organization reaffirms our commitment to address local threats of all shapes and sizes, ranging from malign state actors to violent extremist organizations and to transnational criminal organizations,” said Saltzman. “Space Forces Southern will continue to be a force for good in the region, using space to maintain peace and stability, and defend the homeland.”
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During the ceremony, the official emblem of Space Forces Southern was debuted. The logo featured a black background with the Southern Cross constellation in white stars. A red lightning bolt cuts through the stars, dividing the constellation with two stars on top and three stars on the bottom. According to reports, the design was created to represent operations from this base, which will focus on Central and South America, and the “speed and responsiveness” with which such missions will be conducted. The Southern Cross was specifically chosen for its association with the Southern Hemisphere.
“The activation of Space Forces Southern affirms a simple and powerful idea: we are one hemisphere, stronger together,” said Alford. “Bound together by geography, values, and a shared future above us—connected by shared challenges and shared opportunity.”