Not long after airplanes were first used in warfare, armies recognized the need for ground-based specialists to coordinate with pilots for close air support. This led to the formation of forward air controllers and, subsequently, the U.S. military’s Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs).
As space-based weapons technologies advance, two experts argue there is a need for specialists to call in space strikes as well. They propose the establishment of Space Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (SJTACs). According to retired U.S. Army Colonel Kevin Stringer and Norwegian Army Officer Marius Kristiansen, an SJTAC would link on-the-ground special operations forces (SOF) units with space assets to target adversary military installations and complex objectives, such as Russian floating nuclear power plants. This was detailed in their July essay for the Irregular Warfare Initiative.
SJTACs would differentiate themselves by embedding directly with special operations tactical units rather than working in theater special operations commands. Their roles would include assessing vulnerabilities, ensuring precision in strikes, tracking target movements, and providing real-time situational awareness for both preemptive strikes and sabotage missions.
Stringer and Kristiansen argue that the coordination of space-based weapons, which may make orbital bombardment a reality, necessitates the presence of SJTACs. They envision SJTACs accessing a range of future space weaponry, including lasers and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons, along with concepts like “Rods from God” kinetic bombardment.
The experts draw parallels between JTACs and SJTACs, emphasizing the critical need for professional specialists trained to minimize the risk of collateral damage during attacks. Historically, there has been a strong connection between space capabilities and special operations forces, underscored by concepts like the “Cyber-Space-SOF” triad and the recent establishment of a special operations component within the U.S. Space Force.
With the increasing capabilities of SOF combining space and cyber tools, debates have arisen about potentially training existing JTACs in space capabilities instead of forming new SJTAC units. Stringer and Kristiansen contend that such redundancy would overlook the need for a distinct, specialized role within the separate warfighting domain of space, thereby justifying the formation of SJTACs under the Space Force.
Furthermore, they highlight that SJTACs could facilitate coordination among U.S. space capabilities and NATO allies, reinforcing the need for interoperability in joint operations, especially as not all NATO countries possess their own space assets.
In conclusion, the experts assert that to effectively leverage new space capabilities, the special operations community must develop its own space specialists—SJTACs—ensuring they can engage with and contribute to evolving space technologies. Without these specialists, SOF risk being left behind in the advancement of critical space capabilities.
