Lt. Gen. Tom Sheridan, USAF’s program executive officer for space, said he “sees no down side” to the headquarters-level realignment of space functions announced last week by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley. “I think it’s a good plan,” said Sheridan during a conference call with reporters Wednesday (see above). As one of the changes, the Air Force’s acquisition executive now has oversight of USAF’s space programs in addition to its non-space projects. Sheridan greeted that move, saying, the space acquisition efforts “will get closer to the rest of the Air Force acquisition.” He also welcomed Richard McKinney‘s reassignment as USAF’s deputy undersecretary for space programs as a “positive step,” citing McKinney’s solid background in space-related issues. “I think you are going to see more people at the Pentagon who are up to speed and willing to work space issues in the future,” said Sheridan. (Donley memo on realignment)
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.