U.S. Space Force chief says service operates on-orbit weapons to defend the Joint Force and sets new combat priorities

Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schiess said Guardians operate weapons in orbit to defend the joint force against space-enabled attacks, bringing an unusually direct public description of the service’s combat role. He set three priorities: strengthening Guardian identity, arming and growing the force, and integrating space power at operational scale across joint campaigns. Schiess also cited VICTUS HAZE’s 17-hour response as evidence of improving agility, while calling for organizational and acquisition changes that can field resilient, combat-relevant capabilities faster.