Space Force officially joins U.S. intelligence community

The Space Force today was officially designated the 18th member of the intelligence community.

"This is a significant milestone, a clear statement that America is committed to a secure and accessible space domain," Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond said in a press release today. "Our partnership will ensure the Space Force and the nation remain always above any threat."

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced last month during a meeting of the National Space Council that his agency was close to approving the new service as a member of the intelligence community -- a move expected to bolster cooperation between DOD and the IC and improve space intelligence sharing.

Ratcliffe said during a ceremony today that partnering with the Space Force, the first new IC member since 2006, helps to improve space-related information and intelligence and "ensures interoperability, future capability development and operations, and true global awareness for strategic warning."

The intelligence components of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy are already members of the IC, along with four other DOD entities: the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office.