President Donald Trump announced the establishment of the U.S. Space Command from the Rose Garden of the White House Thursday.

The president congratulated General Jay Raymond as the first commander of the US Space Command. Raymond had been in command of the Air Force Space Command since October 2016.

The Space Command is not the much promised "Space Force," which the president said would follow soon.

"SpaceCom will soon be followed, very importantly, by the establishment of the United States Space Force as the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces, and that's really something when you think about it," he said.

"The Space Force will organize, train, and equip warriors to support SpaceCom's mission," the president explained.

Establishing the Space Force as the sixth branch of the military would need congressional approval.

"SpaceCom will ensure that America's dominance in space is never questioned, and never threatened," Trump added, "because we know the best way to prevent conflict is to prepare for victory."

The president also unfurled a Space Command flag during the ceremony, alongside Vice President Mike Pence.

The 2020 Trump re-election campaign made Space Force shirts and hats available for purchase after the announcement.

Here's a news report about the newest military branch:

President Trump participates in the establishment of the U.S. Space Command (LIVE) | USA TODAYwww.youtube.com