Wed, Jun 20, 2018
Would Become The Sixth Branch Of The U.S. Military
President Donald Trump on Monday said he has directed the Pentagon to establish a "Space Force" as the sixth branch of the military.
Trump's statement came during a speech at a meeting of the National Space Council, according to a report from Fox News. “We are going to have a space force,” Trump said. “An Air Force and a Space Force. Separate, but equal.”
President Trump first mentioned the idea of a Space Force during a White House ceremony in May honoring the Army Black Knights college football team. While he did not offer any details about the structure of the branch, he did say space is a national security issue and that he does not want the United States to fall behind Russia and China in that regard.
Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White was measured in her reaction to the pronouncement. "We understand the President's guidance. Our Policy Board will begin working on this issue, which has implications for intelligence operations for the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy. Working with Congress, this will be a deliberate process with a great deal of input from multiple stakeholders.”
Trump also discussed his administration's efforts to bolster the nation's space program, supporting a return to the moon and an eventual manned mission to Mars. He was joined at the speech by Vice President Mike Pence, who chairs the National Space Council, as well as NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and others serving in the council.
(Image from file)
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]