Politics

US military must prepare for operations beyond Earth's orbit, says Joint Chiefs chair

The Hill · September 17, 2026Original source ↗

US military must prepare for operations beyond Earth's orbit, says Joint Chiefs chair

What happened

Gen. Dan Caine, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that U.S. troops need to prepare for combat in space, specifically around the moon, in addition to their readiness in Earth's orbit. Caine made these comments during the Air, Space and Cyber Conference.

Why it matters

This preparation could have implications for national security and military operations in space.

How this story affects people

How does this story affect you if you are a member of the U.S. military?

Your training and operational readiness may shift to include space combat scenarios, requiring new skills and equipment. This change could affect your deployments and the nature of missions you might undertake in the future.

How does this story affect you if you work in the aerospace industry?

The military's focus on space operations could lead to increased contracts and job opportunities in aerospace technology and defense sectors. This shift may drive innovation and investment in technologies related to space exploration and security.

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