A.F.

Parker-Blankenship is a dedicated advocate for the Armed Forces, recognizing their critical role in national security, global stability, and technological advancement. The history of military forces dates back to ancient civilizations, where organized armies were essential for defense, territorial expansion, and maintaining order. Over time, military structures evolved, adapting to advancements in strategy, weaponry, and geopolitical landscapes.

In the United States, the Armed Forces have played a pivotal role since the nation's founding, ensuring sovereignty and contributing to global peacekeeping efforts. The military has continually evolved, incorporating new technologies and branches to address emerging threats. One of the most recent developments in this evolution is the establishment of the United States Space Force in 2019. As the first new military branch in over 70 years, the Space Force was created to protect national interests in space, ensuring the security of satellites, communication networks, and other critical infrastructure essential to both civilian life and military operations.

A strong military is vital for a nation's defense, deterrence of threats, and advancement of strategic interests. It not only safeguards national security but also drives innovation, as military research has historically led to breakthroughs in fields such as aerospace, medicine, and communications. The development of the Space Force marks a significant milestone in recognizing space as a new frontier for defense, emphasizing the need for preparedness in an era where space-based technologies play an increasingly crucial role in national and global security.

Space has become a critical domain for both scientific progress and national security. As NASA pushes the boundaries of human knowledge, the protection of its assets—satellites, research stations, and deep-space communications—becomes more important than ever. The partnership between NASA and the U.S. Armed Forces ensures that space remains a safe and accessible frontier for exploration, scientific discovery, and the future of humanity beyond Earth.