The Department of the Air Force will shift responsibility for initial space policy development from civilian officials to the military chain of command within the office of the Space Force chief as part of a realignment effort, Breaking Defense reported Thursday.
A spokesperson for the department said Brig. Gen. Steve Whitney, who oversees the realignment, is set to announce Friday details about the structure of the space acquisition and integration office, now known as SAF/SQ, and changes at the international affairs office, now designated SAF/IA.
“Brig. Gen. Whitney is presenting to the SAF/SQ team on 15 Oct the organizational structure of SAF/SQ and personnel alignment which will take effect on 18 Oct. There is not a plan for a formal announcement,” the spokesperson told the publication in an email.
“Regarding space policy, space acquisition policy remains in SAF/SQ while broader policy discussions will occur across the USSF. The shift of the international affairs efforts to SAF/IA is in progress and involves the shift of a handful of specifically skilled individuals. The remaining members of SAF/SQ will be assigned to positions inside of SAF/SQ to accomplish the SAF/SQ mission set of Space System Acquisition and Integration,” the spokesperson added.
Lt. Gen. Bill Liquori, chief strategy and resourcing officer at the Space Force, will be responsible for space policy development, according to the report.
Air Force officials told the publication that the civilian chain of command will continue to have decision-making authority over space policy.
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