In a milestone ceremony marking the end of an unprecedented service transition, the final group of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members officially swore into the Space Force during a transfer ceremony.
Space Force Col. Andrew S. Menschner, deputy commander, Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base, presided over the oath-taking ceremony on October 1, 2026, and emphasized the historic nature and unique responsibility resting on the shoulders of the incoming Guardians.
“I’ve had the chance to enlist people, commission people, retire people, promote people … I’ve never had the chance to transfer people from one service to another,” Menschner said during his opening remarks. “This is an important moment for the Space Force family. You’re helping establish a new path for continued service, which is different, new, and exciting for all of us.”
Highlighting the lean nature of the Space Force compared to its vast operational mandate, Menschner noted that the entire uniformed service remains small even with these new members transferring into the Space Force.
“Every Guardian out there really contributes to the mission of the Space Force, whether it’s protecting and defending our space capabilities or providing services to our joint force, allies, and partners,” Menschner said. “That mission relies on your technical expertise, your sound judgment, your adaptability, and your commitment to service.”
The ceremony coincided with an increasing operational tempo highlighting the rapid pace of space operations. Menschner pointed out that while a historic benchmark of three launches in 25 hours was celebrated in December, the joint team was on track to pull off four launches within a 26-hour window across two launch bases.
The transferring officers, comprising lieutenant colonels, majors, and company grade officers representing diverse mission sets from research laboratories to launch deltas, stood together both in-person and virtually via video teleconference to administer the oath of office. Family members and colleagues participated by swapping out the officers’ Air Force branch name tapes for Space Force blue.
“It’s been a long journey to get here, but it’s an incredible milestone for these Guardians,” said Air Force Col. Melinda Albiston, director of combat reserves, Space Systems Command, who served as the primary coordinator for this final transition event at Los Angeles Air Force Base.
A total of 250 Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel serving in space-focused career fields made the transition to this new model beginning in July; this marking the final cohort in this transition pipeline, said Albiston.
This ceremony officially concludes the direct cross-service transfer process for this total force cohort, establishing a baseline foundation for future flexible service models between full-time and part-time status.
“Today’s a new chapter,” Menschner told the newly minted Guardians before administering the oath. “You’re really serving at a consequential moment in our nation’s history … I’m privileged to help welcome you to the Guardian family.”
