Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Gen. William L. Shelton addresses conference attendees Sept. 17, 2013, at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. Attendees will have the opportunity to dialogue about important national defense issues during workshops, forums, seminars and major addresses by senior Air Force senior leaders. Shelton is the commander of Air Force Space Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)Addressing attendees
                        
                        
                        Gen. William L. Shelton addresses conference attendees Sept. 17, 2013, at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. Attendees will have the opportunity to dialogue about important national defense issues during workshops, forums, seminars and major addresses by senior Air Force senior leaders. Shelton is the commander of Air Force Space Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Gen. William L. Shelton briefs on the current and future state of the Air Force space missions and assets Sept. 17, 2013, at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. Shelton is the commander of Air Force Space Command and is responsible for organizing, equipping, training and maintaining mission-ready space and cyberspace forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Strategic Command and other combatant commands around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)Space update
                        
                        
                        Gen. William L. Shelton briefs on the current and future state of the Air Force space missions and assets Sept. 17, 2013, at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. Shelton is the commander of Air Force Space Command and is responsible for organizing, equipping, training and maintaining mission-ready space and cyberspace forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Strategic Command and other combatant commands around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Jerry White presents Gen. William L. Shelton a book on behalf of the Air Force Association Sept. 17, 2013, at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. The conference is a professional development event sponsored and conducted by AFA in support of the total Air Force. White is the vice chairman of the board and Shelton is the commander of Air Force Space Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)Space and Cyber update
                        
                        
                        Jerry White presents Gen. William L. Shelton a book on behalf of the Air Force Association Sept. 17, 2013, at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. The conference is a professional development event sponsored and conducted by AFA in support of the total Air Force. White is the vice chairman of the board and Shelton is the commander of Air Force Space Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Aaron Stout)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Shelton talks space, cyberspace at AFA Air and Space ConferencePublished Sept. 18, 2013
                    
                    By Master Sgt. Angelita Colón-Francia
                    
                    
                    Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Operating Location - Pentagon
            **WASHINGTON (AFNS) --**Air Force Space Command's top official said sequestration is the biggest threat to the nation's space and cyberspace capabilities.Gen. William L. Shelton made this declaration Sept. 17 at the Air Force Association’s 2013 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here.
"Because of the mind-numbing mechanics of sequestration no program will be spared," he said. "What that means is all programs will get broken. This law represents a bigger threat to our capability than almost anything that we can think (our) adversaries are dreaming up."
 Shelton oversees a command that includes more than 40,000 Airmen, civilian workers and contractors responsible for supporting space and cyberspace operations, as well as the development and acquisition of space systems. The command's constellation of satellites provide warning of missile launches, cueing for missile defenses, national and military satellite communications, navigation and timing information from GPS, precise weather forecasting information, and surveillance of space.
Shelton said space and cyberspace systems like these are "foundational capabilities"  to the nation and joint military forces.
 
"There's not an operation conducted, anywhere, at any level, that is not somehow dependent on space and cyberspace," Shelton said. "In my mind, it's true across the spectrum of conflict, it's at all echelons of command."
 
In fiscal 2013, the Air Force scaled back on contracts and brought offline outdated systems, like the Air Force Space Surveillance Fence. Fiscal 2014 will require additional significant cuts that, Shelton said, will have unavoidable impact on programs such as weapons sustainment. He warned that without budget flexibility sustaining operational capability of the nation's space and cyberspace capabilities in the coming fiscal year and beyond will be next to impossible.
 "I've got no other resources that aren't absolutely critical capabilities for combatant commanders," Shelton said. "If this doesn't get resolved by fiscal year 2015, clearly, we will find a way, but it won't be pretty and it will be a direct impact on operational capability for combatant commanders."
Shelton said going forward, the status quo is not a viable option.
 
"As we look at our defense priorities in coming months it is very clear that some very tough decisions are going to be required because of the budget position we are in," he said. "Our space and cyber forces are in many ways much less visible, almost like a utility that you plug into. It's always there. And, we are very happy that we can provide that kind of capability and it seems to be so seamless. But, as long as out of sight doesn't also equal out of mind, I guess we're okay with that."Air Force Space Command

Related Links
        GENERAL WILLIAM L. SHELTON
                                Aug. 23, 2005
                                Gen. William L. Shelton is Commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He is responsible for organizing, equipping, training and maintaining mission-ready space and cyberspace forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Strategic Command and
            
            Air Force Space Command website Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil