ONE GUARDIAN: Specialist’s Pride in Culture Promotes Pride in Service

Specialist 3 Judah Falcon serves as a vehicle systems operator for the Global Positioning System constellation with newly designated Mission Delta 31, 2nd Navigation Warfare Squadron, located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colo. Falcon is currently in commit phase of the Space Force Generation cycle ensuring the health and safety of the GPS constellation, delivering the world’s gold standard for positioning, navigation, and timing data to military and civilian users globally.

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ONE GUARDIAN: Specialist’s Pride in Culture Promotes Pride in Service

Published Nov. 19, 2024
By John Ayre

SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Specialist 3 Judah Falcon serves as a vehicle systems operator for the Global Positioning System constellation with newly designated Mission Delta 31, 2nd Navigation Warfare Squadron, located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.

Hailing from Ridgefield, Wash., Falcon enlisted in the U.S. Space Force Aug. 29, 2022, as a VSO and is responsible for the health and safety of the GPS constellation, delivering the world’s gold standard for positioning, navigation, and timing data to military and civilian users globally.

“Besides being known as the “Face of Space” [GPS] is important to all branches of the military,” said Falcon. “The data we secure on our satellites is used by our leadership and support squadrons for numerous reasons. All three of our missons: Positioning, Timing, and Nuclear Detonation Detection systems, are vital to space and the military forces as a whole.”

Falcon takes great pride in the impact MD 31 and 2 NWS make on the USSF, U.S. and to the world by ensuring PNT services and addressing challenges posed by anti-satellite weapons and cyber threats.

“Knowing that I help upkeep a system that's vastly important to the structure of American transportation and banking for our users gives me job satisfaction,” said Falcon. “In the space field, operators are very appreciated, and I feel excited that I can contribute to the workforce.”

Falcon is currently enrolled in college to obtain a degree in systems operations and aspires to continue his education afterward, to pursue a degree in archeology and collaborate with the Bureau of Indian Affairs out of a passion for his culture as an enrolled Native American in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa/Ojibwe Indians.

“I’m the only one of my reservations and both my families to be in the Space Force, so I feel very honored to represent my family in this way,” said Falcon. “Overall, the sense of pride I feel representing my tribe affects how I carry myself and what I strive to do in the military every day.”

The Department of the Air Force recognizes the contributions of the countless Native Americans who have served and continue to serve in our military every November during National American Indian Heritage Month.