United States Space Force is a state-owned entity headquartered in the US. Established on December 20, 2019, it functions as a new branch of the Armed Forces within the Department of the Air Force, with the Secretary of the Air Force holding overall responsibility under the guidance of the Secretary of Defense. The service, which has an estimated 6,030 employees, is led by a four-star general, the Chief of Space Operations (CSO), who is also a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The USSF organizes, trains, and equips space forces to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force. Its responsibilities include developing military space professionals, acquiring military space systems, maturing military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces for Combatant Commands.