Photo By Tech. Sgt. Rachel Maxwell | U.S. Space Force Col. Brandon Alford, U.S. Space Forces Southern commander smiles...... read more read more
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SANTIAGO, Chile — U.S. Space Forces–South (SPACEFOR-SOUTH) leaders engaged regional partners and industry experts during the Space Summit at the Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio (FIDAE) 2026, reinforcing cooperation and advancing space capabilities across the Western Hemisphere, in Santiago Chile, April 7–12, 2026,
FIDAE is Latin America’s premier air, space and defense trade show, bringing together global leaders from government, military, industry and academia to collaborate on emerging technologies and regional security priorities.
As part of the event, the Space Summit focused on advancing space capabilities for development and national sovereignty, highlighting the growing role of space in security, innovation and economic growth.
U.S. Space Force Col. Brandon Alford, commander of recently activated SPACEFOR-SOUTH, delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of trusted partnerships in space domain awareness and regional stability.
“Space is a shared domain, and our advantage comes from trusted partnerships,” said Alford. “What we’re building here isn’t theoretical—it’s real integration with allies who are committed to a secure and stable hemisphere.”
Alford met with Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation and senior Chilean space leadership, including Chilean Air Force Brig. Gen. Christian Stuardo and representatives from the Chilean Air Force’s space directorate, to discuss expanding cooperation in space operations, innovation, and information sharing across the Western Hemisphere.
“These engagements move us forward,” Alford said. “By aligning with partners like Chile, we’re increasing capability, improving resilience and ensuring we’re ready for what’s next.”
The summit brought together defense leaders, academics and industry partners, creating a forum to align priorities and accelerate collaboration across the region.
Maj. Toronto, an Air Forces Southern judge advocate, also participated in discussions on space law, emphasizing the importance of legal frameworks in an increasingly contested domain.
Toronto emphasized that space law and international frameworks underpin operations in orbit, ensuring safe, predictable activity while shaping how emerging domains like space and remotely piloted systems are governed among trusted partners.
SPACEFOR-SOUTH’s participation at FIDAE highlights a continued commitment to building integrated partnerships that strengthen space capabilities and support security across the hemisphere.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2026 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 562676 |
| Location: | CL |
| Web Views: | 42 |
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