U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency director and Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network commander, along with U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Daniel L. Krause, DISA senior enlisted advisor, made an impactful visit to the Los Angeles Air Force Base on June 2, 2023.
Leaders of U.S. Space Force Systems Command's SPACEWERX, SpaceDEN and Kobayashi Maru provide a comprehensive briefing on their cutting-edge capabilities and mission to U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, Defense Information Systems Agency director and Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network commander, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, June 2, 2023. The briefing showcased the collaborative efforts between the U.S. Space Force and the U.S. Air Force in advancing space technology and defense. (DVIDS photo by Jose Hernandez)
During the visit, Skinner and Krause explored the capabilities of the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command and assessed how DISA can continue to support U.S. space mission objectives.
The director and senior enlisted advisor toured cutting-edge facilities as they met with cybersecurity IT specialists and data scientists focused on countering threats in the contested space domain. The DISA leaders were fully immersed in the Space Systems Command’s futuristic approaches as they tried on smart glasses used to enhance virtual collaboration, participated in space exercises and analyzed space threats in real time.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency director and Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network commander, tests smart glasses for enhanced virtual collaboration during a demonstration at SPACEWERX, Los Angeles Air Force Base, June 2, 2023. (DVIDS photo by Jose Hernandez)
SPACEWERX, the innovation hub driving advancements in the space domain, captured the attention of the DISA leaders due to the team’s results-driven approaches with industry. The programs the SPACEWERX team develops drive industry innovation and encourage the fast track of groundbreaking U.S. space technologies.
In addition to forging strong industry partnerships, DISA leaders also value the critical role data plays in achieving mission success across all warfighting domains, and so their exchange with SpaceDEN, the data environment network equipped with advanced analytics capabilities and robust infrastructure, sparked data insights and analytics information sharing and best practices between the two teams.
Last, the director and senior enlisted advisor toured Kobayashi Maru, a realistic simulation environment that tests space professionals’ skills and evaluates mission scenarios. They were guided through a real-world space emergency scenario and helped stop U.S. adversaries.
At the end of every tour, the DISA director had one question for the Space Systems Command professionals in the room.
“How can we help you?”
This question led to meaningful dialogue, information sharing and ultimately, solutions.
From left, U.S. Space Force Maj. Rommel Villanueva, Network Infrastructure Division chief/Project Enigma project manager (SSC CIO); U.S. Air Force Capt. Emily S. Patrick, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner aide-de-camp; U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency director and Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network commander; U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Daniel L. Krause, DISA senior enlisted advisor; U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Donald Cothern, Space Systems Command deputy commander; Andres A. Lopez, Land & Space Portfolio chief air; U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Mihalko, director IMA (SSC CIO); U.S. Air Force Maj. Rosalva Franco, IT division chief (SSC CIO), pose for a group photo by the statue of late General Bernard A. Schriever during DISA's visit to the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base, June 2, 2023. (DVIDS photo by Jose Hernandez)
As the Defense Information Systems Agency continues its journey of empowering the military services and supporting the ever-evolving space domain, it remains dedicated to forging stronger partnerships, leveraging data and cutting-edge technologies to overcome challenges and propel the nation's space capabilities to new heights.
"We support the U.S. Space Force and all military services," emphasized Skinner. "We are committed to leveraging DISA's expertise and resources to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command."