Guard chief to meet with USAF, Space Force leaders on Space National Guard recommendations

The chief of the National Guard is meeting today with Air Force and Space Force officials to discuss recommendations for a Space National Guard.

Gen. Daniel Hokanson said during a House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing Tuesday the Defense Department is “fairly close” to adopting a plan that would include a combined active and Reserve force as well as a Space National Guard.

“I think our final meeting will be in preparation for meeting with the secretary of defense,” Hokanson said. “Right now both the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of space operations are in agreement with us on a two-component construct.”

Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) told Hokanson she wants more details from DOD on the cost of the new organization and how it will take advantage of existing facilities and other resources that support the National Guard’s current space mission.

A report last June from the Congressional Budget Office projected it would cost $100 million annually to operate and support a Space National Guard and another $20 million in onetime facility construction costs.

The Pentagon owed Congress a report last March on its plan for Space Reserve forces, but the process has taken longer than anticipated as leaders work to develop what the chief of Space Force operations has called an “innovative” approach.

Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno said in February the two-component design -- which contrasts the traditional three-component active, guard and reserve construct -- is meant to provide flexibility to service members.