In a March 2021 report to Congress, signed by then-Acting Secretary John Roth and obtained by Breaking Defense, the Air Force endorsed a Space National Guard, but subsequently changed its position.
By Theresa HitchensSpace Force celebrates 5th anniversary at growing Spacepower Conference
Our latest eBook offers updates on the Space Force and SPACECOM, showcasing the latest tech, and the challenges of modern space operations.
Feeling lost on defense budget matters after the August legislative recess? Breaking Defense has a primer for you.
By Valerie Insinna
Criticizing European allies for not “paying up” to support NATO, Trump also said he would demand that NATO members spend 3 percent of their GDP on defense.
By Theresa Hitchens
The HAC-D’s version of the spending bill contains a heavy focus on culture war issues, but does increase spending for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Defense Innovation Unit.
By Valerie Insinna
The $883.7 billion bill makes several major changes to President Joe Biden’s FY25 budget request, including a more narrow approach to transferring Air National Guard units into the Space Force. But budgetary matters will ultimately be decided by congressional appropriators.
By Michael Marrow, Ashley Roque, Justin Katz and Theresa Hitchens
Despite Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s reassurances, the governors are outraged at what they see as a Defense Department end-run around their authorities that they say could set a negative precedent.
By Theresa Hitchens
House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers tells Breaking Defense that Guard advocates should not “waste their time” lobbying against the move.
By Michael Marrow and Valerie Insinna
Advancing military training with VR and simulators
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“It’s a unique situation. There’s absolutely no intention to make any other changes, moving things out of the Guard,” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.
By Valerie Insinna
As lawmakers weigh creating a Space National Guard, Brig. Gen. Mike Bruno of the Colorado National Guard and the National Guard Association of the United States aims in this op-ed to tamp down what he sees as some key misconceptions.
By Mike Bruno
The Ohio Air National Guard’s 178th Wing on Aug. 10-11 hosted the annual Vulcan Guard space exercise, that this year included personnel from US Space Command, the Brazilian military and all seven National Guard states conducting space operations.
By Theresa Hitchens
In addition, the subcommittee’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would add 800 Guardians to the Space Force’s active duty end-strength, as requested by the service — including establishing a dedicated Space Force legislative liaison.
By Theresa Hitchens
Guard Chief: Transferring Air National Guard missions into Space Force will cost $1B, harm readiness
Gen. Daniel Hokanson said his “best military advice” is instead “to transfer the current Air National Guard units doing the space mission into a National Guard component for the Space Force, so they can continue everything they’re doing today tomorrow.”
By Theresa Hitchens
“OMB’s opposition to establishing a SNG and directive to transfer current National Guard space missions to an unestablished ‘Space Component’ will create a 7–10 year gap in the capabilities Air National Guard Space Units provide today,” the 51 Guard adjutant generals argue in a letter to President Joe Biden.
By Theresa Hitchens
In this op-ed, Francis M. McGinn, the head of the National Guard Association, blasts an Air Force proposal to transfer National Guard units performing space missions to the Space Force.
By Francis M. McGinn