The concept of a U.S. Space Force seems to be in vogue at this time. The President mentioned it last month in a speech at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. He claimed this was not a serious comment, but the subject is very serious because the Pentagon is gearing up for possible space combat scenarios.
In addition, Rep. Mike Rogers, of Alabama, has been promoting the concept for some time.
Over the last several years the space domain has been getting very congested and contested by multiple not-so-friendly adversaries. Most people think space is big, but it is getting "smaller" very quickly. Department of Defense leaders want faster development of offensive weapons and combat tactics, starting with protection of the most expensive and vulnerable U.S. spy assets.
The U.S. is already being threatened in space, and without credible countermeasures or offensive responses. Fortunately, it is "peacetime" in space and no actual combat is taking place right now.
However, this situation could change at any time and the U.S. could loss key space assets very quickly. In fact, if a war were to break out, these could be the first casualties.
Given the growing competition in space and adversarial friction with China, Russia and other upcoming state actors, the potential for war in space is becoming a more serious consideration. The U.S. is not reacting fast enough to positively deter or deal with this eventuality.
Maybe a dedicated Space Force with the latest defensive and offensive equipment and methods is what is needed, and needed now on a permanent basis.
