Space: The Air Force at the 39th Space Symposium

The Space Symposium, which took place at Colorado Springs (USA), ncluded a number of conferences marked by strategic meetings on space activities regarding both civilian and defence activities

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From 8 to 11 April 2024, the 39th Space Symposium has taken place at Colorado Spings (CO-USA): a relevant event at the international level, held annually to allow the global space community from the civilian, military, industrial and academia sectors to gather.   
The edition that has just ended assumed even greater relevance thanks to the concurrent meetings of the Combined Space Operations Initiative (CSpO), a small group of countries and the forum for discussing space domain doctrine developments, capability engagement and the development of common standards. Italy has been part of the small group since December 2023. 
The initiative took place on 8 April at Working Groups’ level and on Friday, 12 April with the Principals’ Board Meeting, which concluded a week packed with engagements. The event allowed the international community to update on, and discuss events which took place since last year’s meeting, and to receive information on the full range of USA civilian and military developments.  
During works, Space Force Chief Gen. B. Saltzman, and Space Command Chief, Gen. S. Whiting, confirmed that the envisaged strengthening programmes as well as those aimed to achieve full operational capability are moving forward swiftly. In particular,Gen. Saltzman underscored how the Space Force, in order to support its mission, continues to be based on two fundamental pillars: personnel, with special focus on recruitment, and international collaboration.

On 11 April, in the sidelines of the Space Symposium, the Space Chiefs Forum took place. Now in its fourth edition, it tiik place in a new format as compared to previous editions.   This year it was attended by the Miliary Chiefs of the Space Components from 18 countries. Italy was represented by Air Force Chief General Luca Goretti, who moderated a panel dedicated to "Training and Education, Information Sharing and Doctrine". Within that context, Gen. Goretti highlighted how it is  "of fundamental importance to understand and harmonize common requirements in terms of personnel training and education”, and, above all, “develop an effective communication activity, aimed to make the public opinion and decision-makers aware of the importance to prepare adequate defence capabilities, able to protect space infrastructures and fundamental  services for the life of a nation". 
Within this context, U.S. Space Force Chief Gen. Saltzman – who chaired the conference – underscored that the event allowed updating the audience on USA space sector developments, including on space geopolitics and activities that the USA intend to implement within  international partnerships. Gen. Saltzman stated he was “honoured and grateful to be granted the opportunity to host the Space Chief Forum. Space Power is a cooperative enterprise and strengthening our international partnerships is fundamental for our collective success”.