Tulsa Man Becomes First Oklahoman To Enlist In United States Space Force

A Tulsa man is the first from the state to enlist in the United States Space Force. 

There have been officers from the Air Force placed or transferred into the Space Force, but Landen Hopper will be the first Oklahoman to enlist.

"First I was very excited because this is an incredible opportunity, I'm just glad to be a part of it," he said. 

The Space Force formed in 2019 and is responsible for the organization, training, and equipment of space forces to protect the country in space. 

Hopper said he was initially interested in the Air Force, but after scoring so high on his recruiting test, he was selected for the Space Force. 

"I had it on my radar, I knew some of the jobs I had on my list for the air force I figured it probably transferred over to the space force, but it definitely wasn't planned," Hopper said. 

Technical Sergeant Gregory Lishman helped recruit Hopper to the Air Force. He said it's special to be a part of recruiting the first Oklahoman to join the Space Force. 

"Here I am eleven years later, giving someone a first in their career for him and also first for Oklahomans," Lishman said. 

Hopper said this is an incredible opportunity and he's ready to get to work. 

"It's definitely going to be new to me, it's going to be a new experience, but I'll be glad to try it out," Hopper said.