Space Force

One Vandenberg officer has taken a distinct step toward her dream of space exploration by attending an analog astronaut mission, a program that simulates an environment like Mars or the moon.

The journey to space is daring and strenuous and requires advanced training for those willing to venture on topics like payload deployment, life support systems, and space medicine, all simulated during the HI-SEAS program.

2nd Lt. Allaire Morgan, 30th Digital Transformation Office integration lead, participated in the Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog & Simulation (HI-SEAS) program for 13 days, which simulated space-like conditions. She worked as the Vice Commander of the “FORGED IN FIRE” mission alongside a diverse 6-member crew of researchers, medical professionals, and astronaut candidate hopefuls.

“The HI-SEAS program is essentially a research facility where you go for a specific mission length to simulate ‘being an astronaut’ on an extraterrestrial base, and the work you do contributes to the existing knowledge base on human spaceflight,” said Morgan. “You never know how you’re going to perform in an environment like that until you put yourself in one.”

The HI-SEAS program introduces applicants to an isolated Mars or moon-like landscape in Hawai’i, with rocky terrain, consistent seismic events, and sparse plant or animal life. Morgan and her crew were met with various challenges like extreme isolation in a self-sustaining habitat, dealing with space-like communications that include delays and limits to accessible content, conducting geological surveys and complex science experiments under the stress of analog crew schedules, and simulating procedures like airlock entrances that reflect the environmental challenges of living in space.

Morgan became infatuated with the cosmos as a kid, pushing the limits of her learning abilities, choosing to spend her free time gathering a stack of space books to read, sometimes more than she was allowed to check out from the library.

“I have always been somewhat of a space enthusiast,” said Morgan. “I was always really interested in learning about our solar system and the universe we live in and what it means to explore that.”

Morgan used her passion for space studies to find the HI-SEAS program on her own, with encouragement from her leadership team.

“With 2nd Lt. Morgan’s participation in HI-SEAS she learned foundational test, experimentation, and evaluation skills that will be applicable in any Space Force opportunity,” said Derek Eichin, 30th Digital Transformation Office chief data officer. “The planning, preparation, and processes she had to execute better prepare her for performing in very austere environments with multiple independent teams to collaborate and grow with.”

Spending time in a moon-like environment 2500 meters above sea level marked one small step toward becoming an astronaut and discovering if she had the endurance to achieve such a goal.

“After finishing the program, I feel super inspired by my crew’s path to space and their motivation to become either a NASA astronaut or do so through commercial means,” said Morgan. “The empowerment that the Space Force gives junior officers to find professional experiences like this has been awesome.”

Morgan joined the Air Force ROTC to follow in her father’s footsteps and serve in the military. After the U.S. Space Force was established, Morgan quickly honed in on a space-related career path. She would ask questions to professors about space technology while working on her electrical & systems engineering degrees from the University of Pennsylvania; she also co-founded the Philadelphia i5 chapter at AFROTC Detachment 750 to deepen her foundational knowledge of the space domain, while mentoring younger cadets hoping to pursue space-related careers. One month before her commissioning, Morgan received a call that she would report to Vandenberg SFB as an officer in the Space Force. Now, with almost two years under her belt as an engineer in the 2d Space Launch Squadron, Morgan serves as the integration lead in the SLD 30 Digital Transformation Office and sits on the leadership board for the Junior Guardians Forum.

“I think there’s a lot of conversations to be had about what a Guardian in space looks like, what that means for the Space Force, and what that means for human spaceflight,” said Morgan. “One thing is abundantly clear to me: the type of person the Space Force recruits and Vandenberg develops is an irreplaceable asset to the space community.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Hundreds of female service members joined a panel to explore women’s integration in the military during the 2024 Women’s Air & Space Power Symposium at Peterson Space Force Base March 26.

Total Force Airmen and Guardians from every corner of America joined partner nation counterparts to discuss military integration, gender diversity, inclusivity and leadership advocacy with top Defense Department enlisted leaders.

“When I think about the Revolutionary War, women were disguising themselves just to serve,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Melvina A. Smith, command chief master sergeant of Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Forces Strategic-Air. “Just to serve this nation.

“Today, when I look across the room,” she said, “It’s pretty impressive. Whether you fought to be the first in your family to go to college, or to be the first to join the military so you could lead a life. We are integrated, but we have work to do.”

The conversations during the meeting shed light on the strides taken towards the inclusion of women in the military. Significant milestones such as the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act, the approval for women to fly naval aircraft, and the lifting of the ban on women serving in

combat roles were cited.

During the session, the National Guard’s top enlisted member recognized the efforts he and his service senior enlisted advisor counterparts to support ongoing endeavors towards an inclusive military force.

“Our focus is on improving the quality of life for all service members and creating an inclusive force,” SEA Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the chief, National Guard Bureau, said.

“This involves continuing the progress made by recent legislation and policy changes, such at the Reproductive Healthcare Act, expanded parental leave, redesigned uniforms for better functionality and fit, subsidized childcare for families, and alternative non-standard hours childcare for our National Guard children.

“These ongoing efforts are aimed at providing peace of mind to our military mothers, knowing that their loved ones receive quality care while they continue to serve,” he said. “It is important to continually adapt these policies to meet the evolving needs of all service members.”

Air Force Tech Sgt. Cindey Zeledon, a mother of five, joined the Air National Guard before transitioning to the active-duty Air Force. She said she was inspired to serve after seeing other mothers in the military. She said serving is one of the best decisions she could have made for her family.

“I have five kids,” Zeledon said. “But you know what, I didn’t make that an excuse. I made it my reason to serve.

Zeledon had initially aimed to serve in active military duty, but she faced obstacles and eventually joined the Air National Guard where she served for six years. Despite this change, her aspiration to become a training instructor persisted.

Today, she is a military training instructor for the 433rd Training Squadron. Zeledon credits the National Guard for giving her the opportunity to serve, and Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Perry, the command senior enlisted leader for the Colorado National Guard, for mentoring her and helping her to continue serving in the Air Force.

“Our [female] aspirations are rooted in the desire for equality, where everyone is recognized for their contributions and not favored based on gender,” she said. “We understand that there will be times when we excel, and times when we don’t. The deciding factor must always be competency and suitability for the role. In the end, what matters most is selecting the right person for the job.”

Space Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Caleb Lloyd, senior enlisted leader, Space Operations Command, challenged those in the room to be the change they seek at all levels.

“Make an effort to seek them [females] out and include them in your conversations,” he said. “Inclusivity is not just about having a seat at the table; we should extend the same effort to underrepresented groups such as women and minorities.”

Simply sitting at the table with a nameplate before us is not enough to be part of the conversation. We must take simple actions like being in a staff meeting and calling deliberately on a female who may not usually speak up, but you know has great thoughts.”

March is celebrated as Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the accomplishments of women across the globe. In recent years, service women have seen more inclusive policies, including changes to hair regulations and allowing pregnant aviators to fly.

Whitehead said, “It is crucial for military leaders at all levels to continuously represent and advocate for all members of their forces, regardless of gender or nationality.

“Operationally, it’s important to hold leaders, NCOs, and change agents accountable for creating an inclusive environment that values open discussions and collaborative problem- solving to recognize achievements and areas for improvement.”

“Addressing cultural and structural barriers is equally crucial” he said. “Through panels and discussions such as these, empowering women to share their experiences and insights, and celebrating the contributions of military and civilian women alike will not only inspire but drive

the integration process.”