VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- United States Space Force Lt. Col. Matthew Knepper took command of the Space Delta 6 – Space Access and Cyberspace Operations 21 Space Operations Squadron located at Vandenberg Space Force Base, June 9, 2023.
21 SOPS is headquartered at Schriever SFB, Colorado, and is hosted as a tenant organization at Vandenberg SFB. The squadron provides and enables assured access to space-based systems.
USSF Col. Christopher Kennedy, DEL 6 commander, provided opening remarks for the 21 SOPS change of command in front of military personnel and proud members of the squadron. The change of command ceremony marks a seamless transition of leadership and a shared commitment to the mission.
USSF Lt. Col. Justin Roque, 21 SOPS outgoing commander, passed the squadron guidon to Kennedy, symbolically relinquishing his command. Roque expressed that he was eager to see what the future holds under Knepper’s guidance.
Roque will join Space Delta 6’s front office as the vice commander following his tenure of exceptional leadership and achievements.
Knepper concluded the ceremony with closing remarks stating he would continue to build upon the squadrons successes and bring his unique expertise to the role.