Coffee & Conversation with AM Paul Godfrey

On Thursday, May 7, INSA hosted a virtual Coffee & Conversation with Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, Assistant Chief of Space Operations, Future Concepts and Partnerships, U.S. Space Force.

In a moderated discussion with John Doyon, Executive VP at INSA, AM Godfrey spoke about strengthening international partnerships, improving allied integration, and building more resilient space architectures. He emphasized that cooperation with allies and partners is central to deterrence, especially as China and Russia continue to develop counterspace capabilities.

A central theme was prioritization. Drawing on his experience helping grow UK Space Command from a small team into a much larger organization, AM Godfrey explained that effective strategy requires focusing on a few achievable objectives rather than trying to do everything at once. He described the Space Force’s international partner strategy as focused on strengthening partnerships, improving integration, and creating a framework for how allies can contribute to shared space security goals.

AM Godfrey then discussed the development of “country plans” with key partners, including members of the Combined Space Operations initiative, France, Germany, Japan, and NATO partners. He noted that even countries with much smaller budgets than the United States can make meaningful contributions when their strengths are clearly identified and integrated into broader coalition planning. He also emphasized the importance of communication and feedback loops across the Space Force enterprise and described ongoing efforts to improve knowledge management so engagements, priorities, and partner activities can be tracked more effectively across regions.

On deterrence, AM Godfrey argued that credible space deterrence depends not only on U.S. capabilities but also on allied integration and information-sharing “at the speed of need", highlighting resilient architectures, shared data standards, coalition legitimacy, and coordinated action as essential to denying adversaries a first-mover advantage and strengthening collective security in the space domain.

Closing out the conversation, AM Godfrey underscored industries importance as a critical partner as the Space Force seeks to expand capabilities quickly. He emphasized the need for more iterative approaches, greater use of commercial capabilities, and a willingness to take calculated risks where appropriate. Industry can support the mission by adapting to changing requirements and helping deliver flexible, resilient capabilities at speed.