U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific Commander Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir has highlighted the importance of close cooperation with allies to address adversarial threats and maintain international stability.
In a conversation hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies on Tuesday, Mastalir shared efforts from the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command to actively engage with partners using a number of strategies. He cited the activation of U.S. Space Forces Korea and plans to create a U.S. Space Forces Japan by the end of 2024 as examples of greater cooperation between the U.S. and its allies in the region.
“As [South Korea and Japan] build their [space] capabilities, having a [Space Force] component right there in [the] country … working with them [and] having them exercise with us … is really great [for] awareness of how they might consider building [space] capabilities so that they can integrate across the joint force,” the general said.
Mastalir also discussed the command’s shift from bilateral exercises to multilateral events. “Demonstrating on a daily basis with your allies and partners that you’re prepared to fight and win a war, should you need to, is really the ultimate way to deter a war,” the USSPACEFOR-INDOPAC chief said.