Chief Master Sgt. Seth Hogan, command senior enlisted leader Space Forces Northern, unfurls the SPACEFOR-NORTH guidon during the activation ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., Jan 30, 2026. U.S. Space Forces Northern, serves as the Space Force service component to U.S. Northern Command. (John Ayre/U.S. Space Force)
The U.S. Space Force has activated a new service component as part of U.S. Northern Command.
U.S. Space Forces Northern, or SPACEFOR-NORTH, is the seventh service component activation since November 2020. It is the first space component to directly cover the United States. The activation came just days after the formal activation of Space Forces Southern, the space component of U.S. Southern Command.
The activation of Space Forces Northern and Space Forces Southern aligns with the Defense Department’s priority on strategic strength in the Western Hemisphere.
“Space forces and capabilities are a critical part of the Joint Force package, and by normalizing our force presentation we are able to integrate all activities within individual force offerings,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said Friday during the activation ceremony. “We are on track to establish service components in all combatant commands, resulting in a Space Force better postured to employ forces and expertise to deter conflicts and win wars.”
Space Force service components provide regionally tailored operational effects to combatant commanders to enable and support deterrence against adversaries, and support order mission requirements.
SPACEFOR-NORTH will guide development and delivery of space capabilities that enable joint lethality and effectiveness for homeland defense. Additionally, in coordination with U.S. Space Command, it will design future requirements for space capabilities or effects required to achieve USNORTHCOM objectives.
NORTHCOM’s area of responsibility includes the U.S., Canada, Mexico, portions of the Caribbean and Greenland.
“Increased global use of space requires combatant commanders to develop competencies in space operations,” Brig. Gen. Robert Schreiner, SPACEFOR-NORTH commander, said in a statement. “SPACEFOR-NORTH will focus on delivering distinct Space capabilities to USNORTHCOM in order to preserve freedom of action and provide independent options in, from, and to space.”
