The concept of a Space National Guard is gaining traction in Congress, as bipartisan lawmakers push for its establishment. This initiative would replace a prior proposal to integrate certain Air National Guard units into the Space Force, a move that faced significant opposition.
Senators Mike Crapo and John Hickenlooper introduced a bill to create the Space National Guard, a plan that also garnered support from former President Donald Trump. Representatives Jason Crow and Lauren Boebert have introduced corresponding legislation in the House. The proposal primarily impacts units within the Colorado National Guard.
“Establishing a Space National Guard will better prepare and streamline the work of our existing space personnel to maintain readiness to respond to and thwart attacks from our adversaries,” said Senator Crapo in a statement to Military.com.
This legislative push appears to transcend party lines, suggesting a potential straightforward path through Congress. While previous attempts to form a Space National Guard faltered, the current administration shows openness to the idea.
Trump, who initiated the Space Force in 2019, declared, “as president, I will sign historic legislation creating a Space National Guard.”
The Senate bill has garnered co-sponsorship from Senators Jim Risch, Alex Padilla, Marsha Blackburn, Michael Bennet, and Rick Scott.
The proposed legislation seeks to overturn Legislative Proposal 480, which was first reported by Military.com. This proposal aimed to transfer Air National Guard units with space-focused missions to the active-duty Space Force, circumventing state governors’ authority.
The plan was met with widespread resistance from state governors and a bipartisan group of lawmakers. National Guard advocates have consistently opposed the transfer, arguing for a dedicated Space National Guard as a better reserve component.
Retired Maj. Gen. Francis McGinn, president of the National Guard Association of the United States, expressed support for the new bill, stating, “For many years, NGAUS has advocated the best way to keep them in the fight is to create a Space National Guard as the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Space Force, similar to how the Army and Air National Guard currently operate with their parent services.”
According to the bill text provided to Military.com, the Space National Guard would encompass units from Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York, and Ohio. A one-star general would oversee the reserve component, reporting to the director of the Air National Guard.
The bill outlines that existing facilities and infrastructure will be utilized for the Space National Guard. Advocates have noted that the primary expenses associated with the new component would be for new name tapes and signage, as units would continue their missions from current locations.
Senator Hickenlooper remarked, “A dedicated reserve component will make sure our National Guard space experts have a clear path to continue their service to community and country,” describing the initiative as a “win-win for service members.”
