The INSIDER daily digest -- Sept. 5, 2018

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest features coverage from the Defense News conference in Arlington, VA.

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) likely made his communications director uncomfortable today:

Smith: U.S. should cut defense spending and not 'cling' to notions of post-WWII dominance

The House Armed Services Committee's top Democrat, in line to become the next chairman should his party win a majority in November, said today the defense budget is too big and that the United States should not "cling" to notions of post-World War II dominance given today's fiscal and geopolitical realities.

The Air Force will likely call for more operational squadrons across its mission portfolio:

Air Force to reveal plan to revitalize squadrons later this month

The Air Force later this month will roll out its vision for a right-sized service that can meet the demands of the National Defense Strategy, focusing on the importance of the service's squadrons rather than the size of its aircraft fleet.

See more coverage of the Defense News conference in the INSIDER:

SECAF on Space Force: 'If we're going to do this, we should do it right'

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said today she is in "complete alignment" with President Trump's plan for a Space Force, despite her past criticism of plans to significantly reorganize the Defense Department's space mission.

CNO: Navy needs to provide 'increased oversight' of Columbia-class sub program

The Navy's top admiral is pushing the service to pay close attention to the already-tight schedule for the Columbia-class submarine program.