United States Space Forces – Japan

United States Space Forces – Japan
USSPACEFOR-JPN emblem
Active4 December 2024; 15 months
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeComponent field command
RoleSpace operations
Size10 personnel[1]
Part ofUnited States Indo-Pacific Command
HeadquartersYokota Air Base, Japan
Commanders
CommanderCol Ryan C. Laughton
Deputy CommanderLt Col Kaoru Elliot[2]
Command Senior Enlisted LeaderSMSgt Aldrin J. Smith
Insignia
Flag of the Space Force Japan Command

The United States Space Forces – Japan (USSPACEFOR-JPN) is the United States Space Force component field command to the United States Forces Japan.[3][4]

List of commanders

No. Commander Term Ref
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
Colonel
Ryan C. Laughton
(born c. 1981)
July 2024Incumbent~1 year, 249 days[5][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.airandspaceforces.com/space-force-activates-japan-component/
  2. ^ https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article-Display/Article/4243837/space-systems-command-inspires-space-dreams-with-american-students-in-japan/
  3. ^ "U.S. Space Force to beef up Japan unit amid growing threat in region". Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS. 14 February 2025.
  4. ^ Hadley, Greg (4 December 2024). "Space Force Activates New Component in Japan".
  5. ^ "Space Force activates component field command in Japan > United States Space Force > Article Display". Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Colonel Ryan C. Laughton" (PDF). www.5af.pacaf.af.mil.