U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus, left, U.S. Southern Command acting commander shakes hands with Col. Brandon Alford, right, U.S. Space Forces Southern commander during an activation ceremony for U.S. Space Forces Southern at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 21, 2026. SPACEFOR–SOUTH serves as the space component to U.S. Southern Command, responsible for integrating space power with joint, interagency and multinational partners to support regional security, deterrence and stability across Central America, South America and the Caribbean. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell)