One Guardian: Funding the Fight Published July 26, 2024 By Dave Grim Space Operations Command PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Compared to Guardians who work with advanced systems that operate in orbit, team members who have more Earth-bound missions can sometimes get overlooked. But without someone ensuring Space Operations Command Guardians have the financial resources to generate, present and improve combat-ready space power, that mission would never get off the ground. Kelly Hughes is front-and-center in funding the fight as Chief of the Budget Integration Branch at Headquarters, SpOC at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo. “Our Operations and Maintenance budget is currently approximately $1.1 Billion,” said Hughes. Operations and Maintenance funds include everything from operating critical space mission requirements, training and education, base operations support, civilian salaries, and travel. “My branch has intentional impacts both tactically and strategically, as our efforts directly affect resources allocated to meet vital space weapon system requirements and their supporting entities,” Hughes explained. Her team prepares a myriad of different products, ranging from daily updates, to reports tied to where the organization is in the annual budget cycle. They also work with long-range financial plans and projections. All of these things ensure senior leaders at the Headquarters and Mission Delta levels have the most current and accurate budget information at all times, allowing them to base their decisions for the force and the mission on the best possible data. Budget information is key to the SpOC Commander’s role as the force proponent for space operations, allowing them to advocate to defense and national leaders on what the forces needs to be successful. Hughes was raised in Kansas and graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She also holds a master’s degree in military operational arts and science from Air University. “I joined government service out of college because I wanted to contribute to something bigger and greater than myself. I desired to serve my country and community in a purposeful and impactful way,” said Hughes, on why she joined the Air Force Palace Acquire program in 1997 and began work as a budget analyst at the 21st Comptroller Squadron at Peterson AFB, Colo. After working at the squadron level, she moved up to Headquarters, Air Force Space Command, where she worked her way up. In December 2019, the same month Air Force Space Command became the U.S. Space Force, she took over her current position as Chief of the Budget Integration Branch. Since she’s spent her whole career at Peterson, she’s had a front-row seat for the historic transition from Air Force Space Command to the U.S. Space Force, followed by the establishment of SpOC. “I feel I am part of something that is a key piece in humankind evolving to something more significant in our future,” said Hughes. “Being an integral part of developing a new service has taken a lot of dedication and hard work, but has been just an incredible experience, knowing we are making history and really establishing the groundwork for new territory for space.” As consequential as her work is, Hughes balances her job with the Space Force with family life. She’s a wife, mother, mother-in law--and she recently became a grandmother. She enjoys hiking, has made the ascent to the summit of Pikes Peak multiple times, and hiked the entire Colorado Trail. She’s also active at her church, and is passionate about her faith, which inspires her in every aspect of her life. “I focus on who I am living for, why, and giving my very best in every area of my life. Whether you have religious beliefs or not, understand the set of principals you should live by and those should guide you in prioritizing everything you do,” said Hughes. “Having a positive mindset and believing in the ‘good’ that can come out of circumstances you find yourself in, will help establish a healthy approach in your well-being.” Being a part of the SpOC family and her role in the mission is a big part of who is she is. “I appreciate how much space impacts not just our warfighters in all the other domains, but how it effects our civilian community as well,” said Hughes. “Whether it be intel, GPS, tracking of space objects, understanding what is really in outer space, I feel I am part of something that is a key piece in humankind evolving to something more significant in our future.”