U.S. Space Force Maj. Gen. James E. Smith, commander of Space Training and Readiness Command, speaks alongside Kathryn Kolbe, assistant deputy chief of space operations for installations and logistics, during the "Growth of the Space Force" panel at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2026 Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 14, 2026. Smith emphasized that adding 10,000 Guardians over the next five years represents the service's target, with significant growth occurring in fiscal year 27. (U.S. Space Force photo by Isaac Blancas)