The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), currently under Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), will become part of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) by Oct. 1, according to officials.
This comprehensive planning effort by the two major commands is one element of the Air Force’s overall implementation of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization.
Chartered by Congress, the Commission provided specific recommendations to improve oversight, management, acquisition, and operation of U.S. military space systems and capabilities.
The Department of Defense recently completed a review of the Space Commission report and agreed with its recommendations, and the Air Force is preparing to implement all approved actions.
Realigning SMC under AFSPC consolidates space acquisition and operations functions in one organization under one commander — creating a strong center of advocacy for space systems and resources, according to Gen. Lester Lyles, commander, AFMC.
“This realignment will better meet operational requirements for space. Space priorities will be set by a single command — Air Force Space Command — ensuring the Air Force continues to provide quality stewardship for America’s space assets. AFMC will still provide acquisition and S&T support to AFSPC after SMC has been realigned.”
AFSPC Commander Gen. Ed Eberhart said combining space acquisition and operations functions is an important part of the “transformation” of military space, as envisioned by the Space Commission.
“For example, the same people who acquire our satellites may later be flying those satellites. This closer working relationship will benefit the entire life cycle of a space system,” General Eberhart explained.
“Most importantly, blending these communities will grow space leaders who can better understand and translate technical and operational requirements into the world’s premier space systems,” he said.
The SMC realignment does not change the status or importance of Los Angeles Air Force Base, and command officials expect no changes in SMC’s current mission of acquiring and sustaining America’s quality space systems. There will be very limited physical movement of people and organizations as a result of the realignment.
There could, however, be manpower and process changes as command responsibilities are reexamined and refined in ways that make “cradle-to-grave” space operations and acquisition as efficient, effective, and coherent as possible.
“The Air Force believes space-related functions are being performed in the right locations, and SMC is ideally suited to execute its space acquisition mission in the Los Angeles area,” said Lt . Gen. Eugene Tattini, SMC commander.
Currently, a comprehensive Programming Plan for initial phases of the SMC realignment is being jointly developed by AFSPC and AFMC. The plan has detailed steps to be taken to give AFSPC overarching responsibility to execute space acquisition and operations efficiently and effectively.
Functional experts from AFSPC, AFMC and SMC have been working closely together on the plan to ensure the realignment is accomplished as smoothly as possible.
As the process of reengineering military space organization and management begins, uninterrupted delivery, operation and sustainment of space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter will continue in support of our national security.
