Washington (AP) – The leader of US Space Force is working on plans to recruit talent from Air National Guard units to assist in establishing the new military branch. However, some governors argue that this infringes on their authority to maintain control over state units.
In total, the plans will impact 578 service members from six states, while the Air National Guard headquarters aims to bolster the Space Force without creating an additional Space Force National Guard.
“Are we proactively identifying where we want part-time personnel? What types of tasks will they be performing?” asked Space Force General Chance Saltzmann during a political meeting on Thursday.
Established by President Donald Trump in late 2019 during his first term, the Space Force has since integrated its Air Force mission into this military division. This transition has occurred over the past five years, excluding the 578 positions outlined in the Air Force, which’ll be moved to the Space Force as mandated by Congress in the 2025 defense bill.
The relocated service members will continue serving as part-time units, now under the Space Force instead of state units.
Nevertheless, space missions are among the most lucrative in both military and civilian sectors. States losing positions from Space Mission Services could risk losing vital part-time workers if these individuals are required to transition to the Space Force.
Recently, the National Association of Governors stated that this relocation contravenes their right to retain control over state units.
“We urge that relocations cease immediately and call for direct, open communication with the governor,” the association stated in April, although the group was unavailable for immediate comment regarding Space Force’s plans.
Oklahoma Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullin expressed concerns during a large hearing this week about the skilled individuals within the National Guard who wish to remain as guards.
The ongoing conflict between the state and the Space Force has hindered services from directly approaching members about relocation.
According to the law, each National Guard member has the option to remain in their unit, be retrained in another specialty, or join the Space Force. Even if they transition to the Space Force, per the 2025 law, their positions will remain in those same states for at least the next decade.
The affected personnel include 33 from Alaska, 126 from California, 119 from Colorado, 75 from Florida, 130 from Hawaii, 69 from Ohio, and 26 from the Air National Guard headquarters.
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Source: apnews.com