Royal Air Force Air Marshal Paul Godfrey appointed as Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships in US Space Force
In an unprecedented move, Royal Air Force Air Marshal Paul Godfrey will serve as assistant chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships in the US Space Force. After three years as the first commander of the UK Space Command, Air Marshal Godfrey is travelling to the US to take up this new role where he will advise General Chance Saltzman, the Chief of US Space Operations on everything related to achieving space superiority and resilience through international partnerships. Air Marshal Godfrey described the new position as a ‘privilege’.
“I am privileged to be appointed as the Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships,” said Air Marshal Godfrey. “Space is a team sport, and we cannot hope to maintain Competitive Endurance in the domain without a coalition of like-minded space-faring nations committed to responsible space behaviours. I am incredibly proud to be part of that team.”
Air Marshal Paul Godfrey is the former inaugural commander of UK Space Command and his successor at UK Space Command, Major General Paul Tedman took over the Joint Command on 16 May 2024. Major General Tedman has an extensive background in military operations and is excited to lead the joint space forces in the UK.
The US Space Force was first announced by US President Donald Trump in June 2018 as the sixth branch of America’s armed forces and has been growing ever since. Air Marshal Godfrey’s new role shows the commitment to international partnerships in space operations and the importance of collaboration in achieving goals in this domain.
Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Rich Knighton, expressed his gratitude to Air Marshal Godfrey for his work in building up the UK Space Command and welcoming Major General Tedman as his successor. The future of space operations is looking bright with dedicated leaders like Air Marshal Godfrey and Major General Tedman at the helm.