U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson has affirmed the service’s support for President Donald Trump’s plans to establish a “space force” and insisted that discussions are necessary to create the proposed organization, Space News reported Wednesday.
Wilson, a 2018 Wash100 awardee, told audience at a Defense News-hosted conference she expects the Air Force to submit a proposal with Trump’s fiscal 2020 spending blueprint that would include his Department of Space proposal.
“If we are going to do this we should do it right,” she added.
She noted that such a department must have its own acquisition process similar to that of the Air Force.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Washington), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, also said during the Defense News event that Congress aims to ensure that the Space Force is implemented “properly.”
Trump unveiled the proposal after he signed the Space Policy Directive-3, which directs federal agencies and industry to jointly introduce a new space traffic management framework.
Defense Secretary James Mattis, a 2018 Wash100 winner, said in June formation of a space-focused military branch would require planning and legislative efforts.