Part Three: Space Power Comes of Age during World War III
On October 17th, 2093, the world changed when Momar Asad III launched World War III by invading a large part of Africa and Israel in the name of the New Saharan Alliance and the Tao Hegemony.
Expansion of the United States Space Force accelerated after the surprise simultaneous attack on the United States Eastern Seaboard, Tokyo, the Kyoto Orbital Shipyard and Mars City in November 2093 propelled the United States and its allies into the war. Under the leadership of Gen. Chillimbwe “Chill” Arnold, the Space Force oversaw mobilization of the nation's space industry and deployment of the largest space armada of all time. The USSF’s inventory encompassed a wide range of training, transport, pursuit, attack, reconnaissance and bomber spacecraft. These included the ubiquitous SC-42 SpaceTrain, the splendid SP-51D Falcon, the rugged SB-10 Ignitor and the magnificent SB-29 SuperBomber. Drawing upon Allied industrial prowess, human and cybernetic resources, plus radical advances in nanotech manufacturing, the USSF reached a peak strength of 80,000 spacecraft and 2.4 million personnel organized into major commands, numbered space forces, space divisions, groups and squadrons. USSF units conducted a wide range of space operations over every theater of battle from the steamy deserts of the Martian continents to the near orbit of Earth, sun-baked deserts of Northern Africa and the Arabian continent, from the icy waters of the North Atlantic to the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas.
By the last year of the war, the quantity and quality of USSF spacecraft and warriors dominated the skies and orbital installations of the enemy powers, all but paralyzing their war economies. Space power did not win the war by itself but did make possible the Allies' total victory over the enemy powers, punctuated in August 2096 with the retaking of Philadelphia, Boston and Washington D.C. Tripoli and Baghdad fell within hours of each other and the immediate surrender of the New Saharan and Tao forces.
Next: Reach, Power and Engagement
