VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. –
U.S. Space Forces – Space conducted its second Tier 2 exercise, Zulu Kepler 25 (previously called Zealous Kepler), which is designed to prepare S4S for its wartime mission, Feb 10-13.
Building off of last year’s exercise, which only included subordinate commands, this year S4S successfully integrated Allies and Partners from Multinational Forces-Operation Olympic Defender to refine and validate S4S’s operational employment concepts.
As part of the exercise, the staff assessed command and control coordination between S4S, its operations centers and MNF-OOD partners. The exercise involved executing orders, identifying communication gaps, and validating the organization's structural framework.
“ZK25 engaged S4S staff and subordinate forces to hone the commands’ ability to identify, characterize and maintain custody of all known threat and potential threat objects,” said U.S. Army Col. Michael Dyer, S4S acting director of force development. “Extensive work was completed to sharpen our support to combatant commands in conflict against a near peer adversary. In working with MNF-OOD partners, S4S was able to better synchronize efforts to enhance an information advantage.”
ZK25 highlighted S4S’s readiness and commitment to defending U.S. interests in space while strengthening coordination with MNF-OOD partners. The exercise tested and refined tactics, techniques, and procedures through realistic scenarios, demonstrating S4S’s staff functions, processes, and interoperability with allied forces.
“Zulu Kepler helps mature the internal process of S4S to better support the Combatant Commands,” said Dyer. “Future iterations of Zulu Kepler will be aimed at increasing the level of participation of partner nations in exercise planning and execution.”
The efforts and outcomes of ZK25 are essential in refining S4S’s role in future exercises, including Tier 1 exercises led by combatant commands. S4S continues to strengthen integration among its staff, centers and MNF-OOD partners by improving its ability to plan, execute and synchronize military space power within multi-domain global operations. These efforts will protect U.S. national interests, deter adversaries, and, when necessary, defeat threats.