Air National Guard leaders and enlisted members are mounting significant opposition to a legislative proposal that would transfer certain Air National Guard units to the newly established Space Force.
The heated debate was recently brought to the forefront during a media roundtable where officers and enlisted members from the Alaska, Colorado, and Hawaii Air National Guards underscored their strong resistance to the proposal. This initiative seeks to reallocate units in these states to the Space Force, bypassing the authority of state governors and contradicting the desires of the majority of stationed Guardsmen. According to internal polling from 14 Air National Guard units across seven states, between 70% and 86% of personnel are opposed to becoming part of the Space Force.
Col. Michael Griesbaum of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing articulated the stakes, stating, “Our internal survey indicates about 70% of our personnel would retrain or retire rather than join the Space Force.” He elaborated on the dire consequences of such a mass exodus, “In our particular case, that would really represent an existential threat to the national security of the United States because the Space Force does not have the experience to replace my space operators who depart.”
Rebukes from Air National Guard officials join a chorus of criticisms for the proposal, including a letter of opposition signed by the governors of 48 states as well as five U.S. territories earlier this week. The letter highlighted the need for governors to “maintain full authority as commanders in chief of these assets to effectively protect operational readiness and America’s communities.”
The legislative proposal, known as LP 480, does not require a governor’s approval to alter the status of Air National Guard units conducting space operations. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, in response to Military.com last month, waived off the concerns, saying worries that the proposal would set a precedent undermining state governors’ authority were overblown.
However, many in the Air National Guard view this move as setting a dangerous precedent. “If LP 480 is successful, it will open the door to a wholesale harvesting of National Guard resources, both from the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard to the regular components,” warned Col. Griesbaum.
Enlisted Guardsmen have expressed apprehensions regarding the potential loss of community ties, the prospect of uprooting families, and the uncertainty of transitioning to the active-duty force. Staff Sgt. Robert Brown of Colorado’s 233rd Space Group underscored the personal implications, sharing his concerns about the impact on his expectant family and the necessity of staying close to home.
Since the inception of the Space Force in 2019, questions and conflicts have emerged about the future of the approximately 1,000 part-time Air National Guardsmen in 14 units with space-related missions. Although Air Force officials and some Congress members claim the number affected would be smaller, Guard officials are skeptical, saying officials are not counting all the units and all the states supporting those missions, as well as the support personnel.
Brig. Gen. Michael Bruno, director of joint staff for the Colorado National Guard, told reporters Friday that space operators with his state are currently deployed overseas helping with missions, and he worries that if the legislative proposal is approved, it may leave them with an uncertain future.
Relevant articles:
– ‘Existential Threat’: Air Guardsmen Slam Proposal to Move Their Units to Space Force, Military, 05/07/2024
– Air Guardsmen Explain Why They Don’t Want to Switch to the Space Force, Air & Space Forces Magazine, 05/03/2024
– DeSantis opposes plan to move Florida guard unit to Space Force, Tampa Bay Times, 05/03/2024
– DeSantis opposes plan to move Florida guard unit to Space Force, South Florida Sun Sentinel, 05/03/2024