VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Two members of U.S. Space Forces-Space (S4S) were recently recognized at the U.S. Space Force level for their contributions to intelligence operations. The recipients, USSF 1st Lt. Lauren Turner and Paul Marien, were selected for the 2025 Guardian Intelligence Award Program (GIAP), which highlights top performers in support of national security missions across the Space Force.
Assigned to Space Delta 5, one of the Space Force’s specialized Combat Deltas, Turner was named company grade officer of the year. She led a 35-person division and a focused team of analysts who supported real-time, combat-relevant space operations. Her team developed targeting data used to guide U.S. military space systems during exercises and operations. Over the course of the year, they analyzed more than 7,000 potential targets and produced detailed intelligence packages used in live-fire scenarios and planning efforts across multiple commands.
Beyond operational impact, Turner’s contributions align with the S4S mission to protect and defend global space domain capabilities. She helped shape national-level guidance for how the military identifies and tracks potential threats in space and played a key role in building a new electronic warfare targeting database, enabling decision-makers to access time-sensitive information faster.
The significance of her work reflects the Space Force’s evolving warfighter mindset - enabling rapid, precise, and non-destructive responses to activity in space. Her efforts helped move the Space Force closer to real-time space intelligence and operations-an essential step as the space domain becomes increasingly contested. Her work supports the broader S4S mission of delivering timely and actionable intelligence that enables smarter, faster decisions in, from, and to the space domain.
A native of Asheville, N.C., Turner credits her interest in space to her father’s background in the space industry. “He really sparked my curiosity and helped me appreciate how complex and fascinating this domain is,” she shared. That early exposure ultimately helped shape her path toward commissioning as a Space Force intelligence officer.
Turner began her career through Air Force ROTC and previously deployed to U.S. Space Forces-Central in Qatar. She also served as a senior intelligence duty officer at the Combined Space Operations Center and will soon begin her next assignment at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
Marien, recognized as intermediate-level civilian of the year, supports intelligence operations at the National Space Defense Center. As a collections manager, he oversees how space surveillance data is gathered, processed, and shared across military and intelligence agencies. Each week, his team manages more than 15,000 pieces of satellite tracking data, helping provide awareness of activity in space and informing military planning.
Marien joined the NSDC in 2023 following a 25-year career in the Colorado Air National Guard, where he held roles in avionics, intelligence, training pilot, inspections, and squadron leadership. His early collaboration with space professionals sparked his interest in space missions and ultimately led him to transition into his current civilian role.
His team’s integration of commercial sensor data and global partnerships reinforces S4S’s ability to maintain a resilient space network. Intelligence collected from global sensors is transformed into meaningful insights for decision-makers at S4S, U.S. Space Command, and across the intelligence community. The information his team provides helps protect national security interests in orbit and supports daily operations.
“The achievements of Lt. Turner and Mr. Marien reflect the caliber of talent driving our mission forward,” said USSF Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, S4S commander and Combined Joint Force Space Component commander. “Their work exemplifies the operational excellence and strategic foresight we rely on to protect and defend the space domain. Intelligence professionals like these are vital to ensuring our Guardians remain ready, responsive, and informed in an increasingly dynamic environment.”
Both Turner and Marien credited their teams for creating an environment where innovation and collaboration are encouraged. Their achievements reflect the importance of intelligence personnel in safeguarding space capabilities-a strategic advantage sustained through coordinated efforts across Allies, Coalition Partners, and commercial industry. Their efforts exemplify the critical role intelligence professionals play in supporting space missions, from strategic planning to operational execution.
“Their dedication and impact embody what it means to be a Guardian—innovative, mission-focused, and committed to securing our future in space,” said Schiess.