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)

FMI: Original report