Inside the Air Force highlights

By John Liang / June 22, 2018 at 5:00 AM

Some must-reads from this week's issue of Inside the Air Force:

1. The lawmaker leading efforts within Congress to reorganize the military space enterprise under a separate service told Inside Defense this week that while President Trump's direction to establish a Space Force will give momentum to ongoing efforts, the fiscal year 2019 defense policy bill will not likely authorize the creation of a new military service.

Full story: Rogers: Space Force has congressional support, but legislation not likely until FY-20

2. Although it's unclear how the Pentagon will implement President Trump's direction this week to establish a new "Space Force," some Defense Department analysts and former officials say the White House's endorsement of the controversial proposal could diminish resistance within the Defense Department and make room for compromise among House and Senate lawmakers.

Full story: Trump's 'Space Force' announcement could drive DOD, congressional support

3. Air Force and Navy sustainment officials have been working since December to develop a detailed cost estimate for a plan to establish an organic F-35 Joint Strike Fighter software maintenance capability and will brief the program's sustainment lead in the next few weeks.

Full story: Air Force, Navy sustainment team to brief F-35 JPO on software maintenance cost estimates

4. The Air Force official overseeing the Air Operations Center Weapon System says the program will be on track by August after this year's funding uncertainties caused a slight spending slowdown.

Full story: AOC catching up on FY-18 spending following continuing resolutions

196936