The battlefield now extends all the way to the moon, U.S. military's highest-ranking officer says
The battlefield that the U.S. military must prepare for and excel in now extends from the seafloor all the way out to the moon, according to Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
U.S. military chief Gen. Dan Caine, speaking at the Air & Space Forces Association's conference, claimed that the U.S. armed forces must be prepared to operate anywhere, even in cislunar space. This region encompasses Earth's orbit and extends all the way to the moon, making it a strategic frontier. Caine emphasized that the U.S. must maintain dominance in this area to ensure global dominance.
He highlighted the importance of establishing norms on the moon, particularly near its south pole, where both the U.S. and China plan to build bases. China has already demonstrated advanced capabilities in lunar missions, such as the first soft landing on the far side and the return of samples from this region in 2024. However, Caine did not name China or provide specifics about potential conflicts in cislunar space.
Instead, he stressed the need for the U.S. military to adapt and prepare for a future where they cannot assume uncontested access, secure rare areas, or maintain uninterrupted sustainment. Caine also emphasized the importance of the U.S. Space Force's role in maintaining space superiority through the operation of weapons in Earth orbit, which can defend against space-enabled attacks.
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