The Defense Department is preparing for the stand-up of an independent Space Force that could strip away the Air Force’s space enterprise. If that doesn’t end up happening, the Air Force is making the case that it needs at least seven more operational space squadrons in order to take on adversaries like Russia and China.
During a Sept. 17 speech at the Air Force Association’s national conference, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson announced that the service will need to grow from 312 to 386 operational squadrons to meet the needs of the new national defense strategy.
Of the 74 new squadrons proposed, seven would be dedicated to the space warfighting mission, increasing the total from 16 to 23 operational space squadrons.