
Frontline Spacepower: Command Perspectives from U.S. Space Forces-Central — Ep. 281
From The Aerospace Advantage by The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
March 14, 2026 · 43 min · Season 6 · Episode 281
About this episode
The episode discusses the role of U.S. Space Forces-Central in military operations and its implications for future tactics and planning.
Episode Summary: Since the end of the Cold War, Central Command (CENTCOM) has been front and center for U.S. combat operations, with space playing an ever-increasing essential role in daily operations. That’s why the Space Force stood up its first component command, U.S. Space Forces-Central (SPACECENT), in this combatant command. We discuss the history, current operations, and future of SPACECENT with its first commander, Col Chris “Tool” Putman.” Learn about how spacepower provided key contributions to defending Isreal from Iranian air and missile strikes, empowered Operation Midnight Hammer, and more. All these experiences have major implications for tactics, planning, operational employment, and integration of spacepower. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col. Chris "Tool" Putman, USSF (Ret.), Former Commander, U.S. Space Forces - Central (SPACECENT) Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Charles Galbreath, Director and Senior…
People in this episode
Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney
Guests: Col Chris "Tool" Putman, Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Charles Galbreath
Topics covered
- U.S. Space Forces
- spacepower
- military operations
- CENTCOM
- defense strategies
Keywords
- space operations
- military strategy
- CENTCOM
- spaceforce
- defense
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: U.S. Space Forces-Central, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Operation Midnight Hammer, Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, Central Command
Places: Israel, Iran
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