AIR FORCE SPACE POLICY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90M00551R002001250013-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 23, 2013
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: December 21, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

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a DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
~K~~- WASHINGTON. D.C. 2030
SUBJECT: The Air Force Rote in Space - INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
Larry Welch and I recently completed an extensive Service-
wide review addressing the Air Force role in space -- now and in
the future. Based on that review, the Air Force has promulgated
what we believe to be an effective policy that will serve DoD
needs in space. I have attached a copy for your review. As
Secretary of your senior space Service, I would like to share
some perspectives with you that I believe will help focus our
thoughts as we approach transition to a new administration.
It has been clear over the past few years that the way we
view space in the Department of Defense is changing. All
Services are increasingly interested and their involvement in
space is growing. The creation and rapid maturity of the US
Space Command and its Service Components bear witness to this.
In addition, there has been an increasing awareness and level of
participation in space matters on the part of OSD and OJCS. I
applaud this, as it clearly demonstrates the growing importance
of space to our national security -- a theme, as you know, that
I have been advocating through my term of office.
This evolving climate has caused a reassessment of the
basic, long-standing management precepts that we have used both
for space programs and other DoD activities. In some areas it
is appropriate that each service field and operate space systems
to meet unique needs. Nevertheless, I believe that the single
manager concept is valid and should continue to be applied to
many of-the DoD's space activities in the interests of efficiency
and joint operational effectiveness.
As an example, over the years the Air Force has made a
significant investment in space launch and common-user on-orbit
support infrastructure, personnel and corporate expertise. As a
result, I believe the Air Force is uniquely suited to meet
Department of Defense needs in these areas and should continue
to be the DoD single manager.
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Similarly. the Air Force has developed a uniquely capable
infrastructure for the acquisition and operation of multi-user
systems such as Navstar GPS, DMSP and MILSTAR. Accordingly, I
believe that, absent over-riding requirements to the contrary,
the Air Force should continue to be the single manager for multi-
user systems. I include in this category, a space based radar
program and am prepared to initiate such a program upon your
approval. In many cases, it will be appropriate to evolve the
acquisition structure to a joint program office under Air Force
leadership as we have for DMSP, GPS and MILSTAR.
We have initiated several internal restructuring actions to
integrate space activities into the Air Force. These include
changes to our planning, programming and budgeting systems and
personnel management procedures. In the long run these changes
will improve the contributions of the Air Force to our national
security space program.
In conclusion, as noted above, Larry Welch and I have put a
great deal of time and effort into developing a corporate vision
of the Air Force's role in space. We are committed to .providing
the best possible support for Defense needs in space.
2 Attachments
1. Air Force Space Policy
2. Memo for MAJCOM/BOAS
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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADCUARTER9 UNITED STATE3 AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON. D.C.
2 December 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR ALMAJCOM-SOA
SUBJECT: Air Force Space Policy -INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
We have recently completed an intensive review of the role of the
Air Force in space. That review concluded that space operations can have
a decisive influence on future terrestrial conflict. Therefore, we must
make a corporate commitment to integrate spacepower throughout the full
spectrum of Air Force capabilities. The attached policy lays the
groundwork, but your cooperation and commitment are essential to the
success of this effort.
BARRY LCH, General, USAF E. C. ALDRIDGE, JR. v
Chief o S>~~ Secretary of the Air Force
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AIR FORCE SPACE POLICY
1. The tenets of Air Force space policy are as follows:
- Spacepower will be as decisive in future combat as airpower is
today.
- We must be prepared for the evolution of spacepower from
combat support to the full spectrum of military capabilities.
- The Air Force will make a solid corporate commitment to .integrate
space throughout the Air Force.
2. The Air Force envisions a role in space that encompasses the following:
a. SPACE CONTROL. The Air Force will .acquire and operate anti-
satellite capabilities. The Air Force will provide battle
management/C3 for US space control operations, and. will perform
the integration of ASAT and surveillance capabilities developed for
space control operations. When technology permits cost-effective
deployment, the Air Force will acquire and operate space-based anti-
satellite capabilities.
b. FORCE APPLICATION. Should a BMD deployment decision be
made, the Air Force will acquire and operate space-based ballistic
missile defense assets, will provide battle management/C3 for BMD
and will integrate BMD forces. The Air Force will acquire and
operate space-based weapons when they become a feasible and
necessary element of our force structure.
c. FORCE ENHANCEMENT. The Air Force will continue to acquire and
operate space-based systems for navigation, meteorology, tactical
warning and attack assessment, NUDET detection and multi-user
communications. The Air Force will continue to support the multi-
service approach to conducting space surveillance and for providing
mission-unique, space-based communications. The Air Force will
acquire and operate a space-based wide area surveillance, tracking
and targeting capability and will provide space-based means for
space surveillance.
d. SPACE SUPPORT. The Air Force will continue its long-standing
role as the provider of launch and common-user, on-orbit support for
the Department of Defense.
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3. In accomplishing the above, the Air Force must achieve assured mission
capability. Providing that capability to operational commanders will
require a balance of survivability, flexibility, responsiveness, logistics
supportability, and strong research and technology programs.
4. The Air Force must increase the understanding of and involvement in
space issues at all levels, and take actions to institutionalize space within
the Air Force. To facilitate the process the following steps are underway:
a. Rewrite Air Force doctrine to integrate space operations into the
basic missions and tasks of the Air Force.
b. Reorganize the Air Staff to normalize space responsibilities within
the planning, programming, budgeting and acquisition and support
processes.
c. Change personnel management procedures to expand space
expertise throughout the Air Force, and other operational expertise
within Air Force Space Command.
d. Encourage all MAJCOMs to routinely consider space-based means
of accomplishing traditional missions. Each Air Component Command
should establish itself as the center of space expertise within its
supported Unified Command.
e. Consolidate space system requirements, advocacy, and operations,
exclusive of developmental and, for the near term, launch systems, in
Air Force Space. Command.
5. Based on its heritage, expertise and infrastructure the Air Force
remains uniquely capable of conducting DoD space activities. Just as we
have in the past been the major provider of air forces for this nation's
defense, the Air Force will in the future be the major provider of space
forces for this nation's defense. It is the responsibility of each Air Force
member to make this goal a reality.
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