Gen. Kehler: Acquisition Critical to Command’s Future Published March 25, 2008 By Capt. Lori Hodge and Capt. Angelic Dolan SMC Public Affairs Los Angeles Air Force Base -- "We have no limit to what we can do; above all, we lead in military space," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Commander of Air Force Space Command, during his visit here March 20. "Initiative, expertise and professionalism are evident everywhere I've been today. The men and women assigned to the Space and Missile Systems Center, to include the Airmen, government employees and contractors, take pride in their work," said General Kehler. The general's day-long tour of the center included briefings by SMC Commander Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel and all of the assigned wings responsible for military space acquisition. "The experts here are helping to ensure we deliver the right capabilities to the theater commanders and warfighters as soon as possible," said General Kehler. "SMC's mission is to develop, demonstrate, acquire, field and sustain the world's best space and missile capabilities for the joint warfighter. With 58 consecutive successful launches, that only happens with professionals dedicated to the mission." General Kehler assumed command of AFSPC in a ceremony at Peterson AFB, Colo., Oct. 24, 2007; presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan McNabb. His vision will remain strongly focused on the warfighter, as the space mission is critically important for the future to help win the Global War on Terror, the general said. "Space is growing in importance worldwide and is a contested environment," General Kehler said. "Like airpower in the 20th century, space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the late 20th and the early 21st centuries." The general stressed that space is one of three Air Force warfighting domains. He also stressed the importance of the men and women of Air Force Space Command to maintaining the Air Force's competitive space advantage. General Kehler concluded his visit as the guest speaker at the National Defense Industrial Association's 58th Annual West Coast Dinner.