The U.S. Space Force is a branch of the United States Armed Forces, established on December 20, 2019. Its primary mission is to organize, train, and equip military personnel to protect U.S. and allied interests in space. This includes satellite operations, missile warning systems, and space-based communications. The Space Force operates under the Department of the Air Force, similar to how the U.S. Marine Corps functions with the Department of the Navy. It aims to ensure freedom of operation in space and to deter aggression from potential adversaries, including nations like China and Russia.