As for USAF asking to manage its own fleet of aircraft—including retirement when deemed necessary—Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told defense reporters Tuesday morning that he thinks the issue will be addressed this year. “Stay tuned,” he said, adding, “It’s a tug-of-war, politically.” He acknowledged that Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley has spoken to him about it a couple of times and Skelton says he is sympathetic to the Air Force’s plight.
As the Space Force prepares to field new fleets of satellites that can track moving targets in the air and on the ground, it’s working to ensure it has the organizational structures in place to onboard and operate those systems.
