Air Force realigns headquarters space functions

Air Force Secretary Michael Donley this week ordered the realignment of the service's space-related functions at the Pentagon following a management review. The new structure will separate operational functions from acquisition management.

The order does not direct any changes within field organizations, such as Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

Donley said a review he ordered in December 2009 showed space responsibilities at headquarters had become fragmented as the result of outside organizational and policy changes in the decade since the existing space management organization was established.

"This organizational structure has segregated the execution of space acquisition management from the [headquarters] office specifically created to manage Air Force acquisition," Donley wrote in an Aug. 25 memo to Air Force leaders.

"The study also noted that this separation of authorities has created both internal and external confusion regarding roles, responsibilities and relationships among Air Force organizations and those supporting the [executive agent] for space," he wrote. "In effect, the current arrangement mixes planning, policy and integration functions with those of line acquisition functions."

In the new management structure, the service undersecretary will oversee operational activities, and acquisition will be moved to the office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition.

In addition to reorganizing responsibilities at headquarters, Donley ordered the creation of an Air Force Space Board to coordinate the service's positions with regard to other space organizations in the Defense Department and other government agencies. The Air Force undersecretary and vice chief of staff will chair the board, which will integrate acquisition, international affairs, plans, requirements, operations and training efforts related to space.

The review, which involved more than 70 interviews with key people in the Air Force, Defense Department, other space agencies, Congress and industry, was conducted by Richard McKinney, recently named the service's deputy undersecretary for space programs.

Donley ordered the changes to be made within five days.