Heather Wilson, U.S. Air Force secretary, has told the congressional armed services committee the service branch aims to open a three-star vice commander of the Air Force Space Command position to help the U.S. Space Command oversee space-related operations, Space News reported Tuesday.
The move will support broader Air Force plans to meet requirements under a legislative mandate to prioritize space activities on the service branch’s agenda.
The selected candidate will be based in Washington, D.C. and tasked to help the Air Force Space Command equip, organize and train space forces.
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said the committee will observe how the Air Force implements National Defense Authorization Act provisions related to space management.
Congress nixed previous plans to establish a three-star deputy chief of staff for space operations post in the 2018 NDAA and members of the House Armed Services Committee’s strategic forces subcommittee pushed for space forces to have autonomy within the Air Force.