Space and Air Force: Rhetoric or Reality?

The Air Force, as part of its vision for the 21st century, claims to be an Air and Space Force transitioning to a Space and Air Force. In order to reach the goal of becoming a Space and Air Force, or using more recent terminology an Aerospace Force, the Air Force must first understand the need for space and how space can be applied to meet requirements set forth in the National Security Strategy (NSS). Joint Vision 2010, the Air Force's Global Engagement, and several long-range plans all establish requirements that can only be fulfilled through the application of spacepower. To capitalize on the full potential of space, the Air and Space Force must cultivate a complete understanding of the medium (space-mindedness), modify the current National Space Policy and international agreement obligations, develop new space doctrine, and fund and acquire new space systems. A complete understanding of the space medium or space-mindedness can be achieved by educating the American public, the national and military leadership, and the space leadership in particular. Current national space policy must be changed to allow the Department of Defense to defend both national and commercial space assets and ensure the space assets supporting worldwide military operations are protected. Since most of the treaties require a five-year withdrawal period, the U.S. should not wait until a national crisis or space attack occurs to start deploying a national space defense. Nor should it ignore how a force of omnipresent, unmanned, pre-deployed systems would enhance the Aerospace Expeditionary Force concept with the capability to deliver combat power anywhere in the world within minutes. New space capabilities will not be cheap or simple. The U.S. must maintain its lead in space by major funding and technology development in space.