New position helps Academy prepare for all things space
By Ashley D. Murphy, Strategic Communications
As the U.S. Air Force Academy establishes itself as the premier commissioning source to the U.S. Space Force (USSF), they have created a position to motivate, inform, influence, inspire, and assess cadets into the newest branch of the U.S armed forces.
Colonel Jeffrey Greenwood, Air Force Academy Space Force Liaison, explains his role is to focus on all things “space” and to help stand up a new Space Force detachment at the Academy. “Space encompasses more than just a couple departments,” he said. “Integrating space across all mission elements and all offices is critical to fully integrating this new service into the Academy.”
Greenwood’s position provides a link for Academy personnel back to Space Force, and informs the Space Force on what the Academy is doing to develop officers of character for the service. “We have oversight on all phases of education and training to ensure USAFA is providing the best space talent,” Greenwood said. “But also, faculty and cadets can reach out to me if they are struggling to find space resources, need mentoring advice, or just have questions.”
In just three months, Greenwood – with the help of many others at the Academy – has developed a space introduction day for freshman cadets, conducted the first Space Force Assignment Board, and developed an officer/cadet mentorship program.
On October 14, the Academy held a transition ceremony where 10 assigned space operators transferred to the Space Force and in February 2021, 17 more space personnel comprised of intelligence officers, cyber operators, acquisition officers, and engineers will transfer. These 27 officers and enlisted will form the initial cadre for the Space Force detachment.
“We are exposing cadets to the Space Force straight out of basic training,” Greenwood said. “And we are working on so many more options, such as realigning Ops Air Force program for space-minded cadets, or developing an Airmanship program that gives cadets more hands-on space operations experience.”
At the Academy, faculty and cadets continue to prepare, train, and equip for space domination.
For more information on space operations, email Col. Greenwood at Jeffrey.Greenwood@afacademy.af.edu or visit www.usafa.edu.
