Sen. Wayne Allard and Rep. Jane Harman have introduced legislation that “explicitly prohibits” the Air Force from reducing the number of AFSPC military, civilian, and contractor support personnel that existed on Jan. 1, 2006. (See above.) The measure would require the service to submit a report on any proposed Space Command cuts that would outline the plan, provide justification, make an assessment of the impact, and certify that the reduction “does not diminish” the command’s programs for acquisition, operations, and technology development. The lawmakers believe that cuts to AFSPC will jeopardize the command’s ability to put back on track several vital space programs that have been criticized for cost excesses and technological immaturity.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…