Gen. Jacob Middleton speaks to parents and guests as he assumes command of Space Command Europe-Africa at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 13, 2024. Gen. Middleton is the second commander to take command since the unit was activated at Ramstein in December 2023. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — “I get asked this all the time: 'Why space?'” said Brigadier General Jacob Middleton.
It's a fitting question for his first day as commander of Space Command Europe and Africa.
“I want to be able to say I'm fighting aliens, like in 'Independence Day' and Will Smith,” he said Tuesday at the Ramstein Officers Club.
“Even if that's true, I can't say anything anyway because it's confidential,” he said.
Middleton took over the position during a ceremony on Tuesday for retiring Col. Max Lantz II.
Air Force Brigadier General Jacob Middleton will take command of U.S. Space Command Europe and Space Command Africa from Marine Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 13, 2024. As the new commander, Middleton will support both Africa Command and U.S. European Command with space operations and activities. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Col. Max Lantz II smiles during his farewell speech as the outgoing commander of U.S. Space Command Europe and Space Command Africa, Aug. 13, 2024. Col. Lantz is retiring after leading the unit since its activation in December at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Lantz was the first commander of the force that was launched at Ramstein in December to provide U.S. European and Africa Command with a cadre of experts to facilitate training, information sharing and other activities in about 100 countries.
“You should be proud to be part of such an important and historic undertaking. What you did first made all that followed possible,” Lantz said.
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, the U.S. Space Command's chief of operations, said the selection of a one-star general to replace Luntz underscores the importance of space power in the region.
Middleton was a longtime space and missile operations officer, serving as a non-commissioned officer for six years before being commissioned in 1998.
Middleton said he looks forward to building on the research led by Luntz to answer the questions: “Why are we here and what are we doing here?”
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, U.S. Space Command's chief of operations, speaks during the European-Africa Space Command change of command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 13, 2024. The Ramstein-based Space Command unit was activated in December. The commander has been promoted to one star and will replace Col. Max Lantz II, who is retiring. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
Saltzman and Gen. Michael Langley, commander of the African Command, also expanded on that point in their remarks.
“The guardians here bring a level of technical expertise to a field that is rapidly evolving and changing,” Langley said. “We need you on this global stage now more than ever.”
In Africa, Europe-based Guardians and others have helped build space reconnaissance and tracking programs that allow African militaries to provide unclassified information to partners through commercial satellite imagery and other means. Data sharing has helped address issues such as cross-border violence, disaster relief and illegal fishing, Saltzman and Langley said.
“China wouldn't do that,” Langley said, “and the Russian Federation wouldn't do that either.”
He said these efforts foster U.S. partnerships on the continent. In Europe, the force has strengthened cooperation with NATO and helped defend Ukraine against Russia, among other activities.
“This is going to take this command to new heights, no, to a new trajectory,” Langley said.
Guardians display the U.S. Space Force patch during a change of command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 13, 2024. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
