Lt. Gen. Gregory J. Gagnon, commander of U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, will speak at the fourth annual Spacepower Conference in Orlando this December. The Space Force Association announced that Gagnon, who leads a force of more than 12,000 Guardians and Airmen, will join the gathering themed “The Decisive Edge” at the Hilton Orlando from Dec. 8 to 10, 2026.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Gagnon is responsible for sourcing, training, certifying and assessing the readiness of space forces for service and combatant commander-assigned missions. His Guardians and Airmen focus on generating, presenting and sustaining combat-ready space control, global operations and combat service support forces, per the same report. Gagnon's own command is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, a detail corroborated by Air & Space Forces Magazine.
A Career Built on Intelligence and Combat Deployments
Gagnon is a career intelligence officer with a background in cyberspace operations, commissioned through ROTC at Saint Michael's College in Vermont, the Beacon Journal report notes. He has commanded at the squadron, group and joint wing levels and had a command tour in Afghanistan. Before taking his current post, he served as special assistant to the Chief of Space Operations and, before that, as the service's top intelligence officer. Air & Space Forces Magazine also reports that he served as deputy chief of space operations for intelligence.
Gagnon has commanded Combat Forces Command since November 2025, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine. Breaking Defense also covered the command's renaming and Gagnon's assumption of the post. The command's new name was meant to reflect its mission of forging combat-ready Space Forces for America and its allies, Air & Space Forces Magazine reported.
Training Priorities: Orbital Warfare and Joint Integration
Gagnon has spoken publicly about what the renamed command needs to accomplish. “So I train, organize and equip forces to win in war and protect the peace,” he told Breaking Defense, describing orbital warfare and tighter integration with the Navy, Air Force and Army as training priorities. He also told the outlet that 40 percent of his units lack a realistic trainer for practice. Breaking Defense separately reported that System Delta 81 was building three training ranges for STARCOM: an orbital range, an electronic-warfare range and a cyber range.
Damon Feltman, CEO of the Space Force Association, framed Gagnon's role in similarly direct terms. Feltman said Combat Forces Command is where readiness becomes real for Guardians who go forward, and that Gagnon leads Guardians and Airmen who generate combat-ready forces. The Space Force Association describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nationally recognized military association that supports the U.S. Space Force and its Guardians while advocating for U.S.-led space security.
What's on the Agenda in Orlando
Now in its fourth year, the Spacepower Conference brings together Guardians, joint and allied warfighters, industry innovators and investors, and the next generation of space talent. Organizers describe SPC26 as spanning five stages and closing out America's 250th anniversary year, with senior leader keynotes, first-hand operator debriefs, and sessions covering artificial intelligence, space nuclear power, in-space servicing and refueling, and the Golden Dome mandate. The event's own materials bill it as the premier national security gathering dedicated to advancements in space technology, policy and exploration, according to the Spacepower Conference, bringing together industry leaders, government officials and innovators.
Attendance rules are specific. Complimentary admission is available exclusively to active-duty military personnel and Department of War civilian employees who register with a valid .mil email address, per the conference's FAQ page, while government contractors are not eligible for the free pass. The conference also does not process on-site registrations — all tickets must be purchased in advance. The Space Force Association listed Emily Honhart as a contact for the announcement, reachable at [email protected].
