Space Force Component in Pacific Gets New Commander

The Space Force’s main arm in the Pacific got a new leader July 25, as Brig. Gen. Brian Denaro succeeded Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir as head of Space Forces Indo-Pacific. 

The changeover took place during a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command boss Adm. Samuel Paparo and Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman in attendance. 

This is the first time Space Forces Indo-Pacific has ever had a change in command—the organization stood up in 2022 as the Space Force’s first ever component to a terrestrial combatant command. Officials said at the time they were prioritizing the Indo-Pacific to counter the threat from China.

As the component responsible for space-based effects in the region, Space Forces Indo-Pacific helps coordinate requests for space capabilities from INDOPACOM and oversees deployed USSF forces like electronic warfare units. 

Under Mastalir, the command started with less than two dozen personnel. Since then, it has expanded and added subordinate components—Space Forces Korea stood up in 2022, followed by Space Forces Japan in 2024. 

Saltzman praised Mastalir’s work in leading the command from its very beginning. 

“His team delivered electromagnetic warfare, space domain awareness, orbital warfare, and navigation capabilities to enable nearly a dozen tier-one combatant command exercises,” Saltzman said, per a release. “These critical events hone our skills, refine our tactics, and help us learn key lessons as a joint force. General Mastalir ensured that we train like we fight—focused on deterring war, but standing prepared to act swiftly and decisively if conflict does arise.” 

Mastalir—who was confirmed for a second star late last month—is moving on to become director of global space operations at U.S. Space Command. He is one of only a handful of two-stars in the Space Force. 

His successor, Denaro, comes to Space Forces Indo-Pacific after stints in the Pentagon as director of plans and programs under the Space Force’s chief strategy and resourcing officer, Lt. Gen. Shawn W. Bratton, and as senior military assistant to the Air Force undersecretary. 

His background in the Indo-Pacific, however, runs deep. After starting his career as an intelligence officer at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Denaro went on to spend three years in China from 2005-2008 as part of the Olmsted Scholar Program. He followed that with five years in Hawaii in staff roles for Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, including time as aide-to-camp to the INDOPACOM commander.