Former Hartinger award recipients joined Airmen, Oct. 21, at Air Force Space Command for an opportunity to discuss "The Future: Way ahead in a competitive, resource-constrained environment...lessons learned."

The discussion panel members consisted of the Honorable Peter Teets, the Honorable Keith R. Hall and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Neil Beer.

Prior to introducing the panel members, retired Air Force Col. Jack Anthony, who served as panel moderator, said, "The members will share first-hand insight into the challenges they faced in leading space acquisition programs and how they adjusted in the competitive, resource-constrained environment of their tenures."

Maj. Gen. Michael Basla, Air Force Space Command vice commander, opened the discussion session by saying it was an honor and privilege to be able to welcome the distinguished guests, as well as setting the tone for the discussion panel.

"We are part of a great command; we deliver capabilities essential to the Joint and Coalition warfighter and we've done well this year," said the general.

"But as we look forward, we recognize the environment will be more resource-constrained. We are fortunate to have with us today the leaders on this panel. They are visionaries who helped set the course and influenced where we are today.

"These leaders have insights and lessons learned for the future and we should seek out their experience as we determine the best ways forward in a challenging environment."

Throughout the discussion, the hot topic was acquisition and all three panel members were in agreement with improvements they believe would make for a smoother process...one person overseeing national security space responsibility.

"I think it's important to have someone who can oversee all of 'national security space,'" said Mr. Teets, former undersecretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office.

"One of the fundamental problems we have with acquisition is that we don't allow the program director to have adequate program reserve. I believe the nation is better served if there is a single person who has all of national security space responsibility."

In agreement, Mr. Keith R. Hall, senior vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, stated "The acquisition of space systems should be consolidated under one leader...that's what it was at one time."

Retired Maj. Gen. Neil Beer, first AFSPC deputy chief of staff in 1982, had a more humorous, but truthful, retort regarding the future acquisition environment.

"Future resource constraints? I'd say that's business as usual unless someone has made a breakthrough in streamlining acquisition."

In the end, it was clear that the panel felt that adequate resources are key for the future of space operations.

"I worry in this constrained environment we have, plus with the well-known schedule delays and cost-overruns that we've had with major national security space programs, I worry that we're going to take our eye off the leading edge," said Mr. Teets. "In this era of resource diminishment, we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball."

It was discussed that with the risky space development programs the U.S. military must have if it wants to maintain leadership in high technology, development and acquisition and fielding; it's imperative to allow the program manager have significant program reserve.

"If we want to lead the world in new technology development and bring on eye-wateringly good space systems to maintain our advantage in space...if we want to do that, we have to be willing to somehow allow the program manager to have significant reserve. Bringing rapid resources to risky problems that are on leading edge developments is a key to successful acquisition," said Mr. Teets.

As he summed up the session, Col. Anthony said, "The panel members shared lessons learned and acknowledged the unintended consequences of some initiatives. This was mentoring worth hearing because everyone at HQ AFSPC will be facing new constraints in their mission areas."