Pentagon ordered to create ‘Space Force’

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is directing the Pentagon to create a new “Space Force” as an independent military service branch aimed at ensuring American supremacy in space.

While Trump has previously talked about his desire for a space unit, he seemed to take those musings one step further, specifically ordering the Pentagon to begin the creation of a sixth branch of the American armed forces.

“When it comes to defending America, it is not enough to merely have an American presence in space. We must have American dominance in space,” Trump said during remarks at the White House. “We are going to have the Air Force and we are going to have the Space Force, separate but equal.”

Turning to seek out Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Trump said: “General Dunford, if you would carry that assignment out, I would be very greatly honoured also. … Where’s General Dunford? General? Got it?”

Dunford appeared to acknowledge the order, responding: “We got it.” But the directive seemed to take defence officials by surprise. Creating a new joint military command is largely the purview of Congress, which would have to provide the authority and any funding or shifting of money to a new unit.

Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said the department understands the president’s guidance, and is working on the matter while taking into consideration the implications for intelligence operations for the other services.

The Defence Department is already in the middle of a congressionally mandated review of the space-force issue. It’s not clear if the president’s comments Monday were meant to override or influence that study.