DAYTON, Ohio — The National Space Intelligence Center, also known as Delta 18, has a new commander.

The unit is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.

It’s the first change of command for the center.

Col. Marqus Randall transferred the command to Col. Marcus Starks.

Starks previous served as chief of staff to the deputy chief of space operations for intelligence at the Pentagon.

“I’m going to tell you, the joint force is more and more reliant on space. It doesn’t take a Master’s Degree to realize that everything we do now is linked to space,” Starks said.

Delta 18 was launched in June 2022 and now it transitions from a Space Operations Command to a Field Operating Agency under the Space Operations for Intelligence.

“We’re a small force to begin with, we have to be efficient. This is an efficiency that every other service realized and we’re coming into alignment in a similar fashion,” said Starks.

The new activation opens up possibilities for more intelligence.

“That technological, advanced capability, in comparison to most of the world, allows us to have a significant advantage as a fighting force. We as a Space Force are here to ensure that we maintain that advantage,” Starks said.

Starks will oversee the production and delivery of foundational intelligence on foreign space capabilities and threats.

Being headquartered at Wright-Patterson, the center has a unique connection to the community.

“NSIC by and large is the largest or highest ranking Space Force entity in this area. That connectedness to the local community, to the academic institutions and those partnerships, it’s exciting to look at the opportunity that’s available,”Starks said.

Prior to taking up high-ranking leadership roles within Space Operations, Starks served 26 years in the United States Navy.

His son is currently serving in the Navy as well and his daughter is in the United States Coast Guard.