A Space Operations mission commander oversees the Satellite Control Network. Photo: U.S. Air Force, Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes

The United Kingdom and United States have announced an interesting new partnership between the U.S. Space Systems Command (SSC) and the U.K. Space Command. The two organizations have formalized a first-ever civilian exchange program agreement, leveraging the administrative and professional exchange program (APEP) to foster allied integration efforts and workforce development. They announced this new collaboration, April 15.

APEP is a part of the overarching U.S. Defense Personnel Exchange Program (DPEP), which enables professionals in administrative or management roles to exchange positions with their counterparts in another organization, often across different countries, to gain new skills, perspectives and cross-cultural understanding through hands-on experience.

Tara Browne, SSC/IA Deputy Division Chief for Strategy & Plans, was identified as the U.S. civilian member to participate in the exchange, and arrived in the U.K. in early April 2025.

“I’m looking forward to providing hands-on, tactical level support to the U.K. in developing and integrating their Space Enterprise architecture with U.S. and Allied Space architectures.  These ground-level efforts will strengthen our ability to collaborate and proliferate our architecture with one of our closest allies in space. As someone who strongly believes in the power of international partnerships, I’m excited to be the first USSF civilian selected for this unique role,” Browne said in a statement.