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WASHINGTON (March 21, 2024) — The voice of more than 45,000 current and former National Guard officers today applauded Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, for recently co-sponsoring Senate legislation to create a Space National Guard.
The Space National Guard Establishment Act of 2024 (S. 3697) would create a National Guard component under the U.S. Space Force from the approximately 1,000 Air National Guard space professionals in 14 units across seven states.
“We greatly appreciate Senator Moran and Senator Brown adding to the momentum in the Senate to create a Space National Guard,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president.
Another option under Pentagon consideration would be to transfer Air National Guard space assets into the active-component Space Force.
However, more than 90% of the airmen have indicated in surveys that they do not wish to leave the National Guard. Some would simply retire. That means the 14 units would have to be rebuilt from scratch.
The National Guard Bureau estimates it would take up to nine years and close to $1 billion to fill this void at a time when China and Russia are expanding their anti-satellite capabilities.
Air National Guard space professionals currently provide 30% of the U.S. military’s space operations squadrons and 60% of its electromagnetic warfare capability.
“It really is the common-sense solution to maintain the continuity of what National Guard space professionals provide the nation,” McGinn said.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced the legislation Jan. 31, 2024. Brown and Moran joined the 13 original co-sponsors: Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz.; Laphonza Butler, D-Calif.; Alex Padilla, D-Calif.; Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.; Rick Scott, R-Fla.; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; James Risch, R-Idaho; Mike Braun, R-Ind.; J.D. Vance, R-Ohio; Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.
Air National Guard space units are in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York and Ohio.
The House included the legislation in its version of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
Reporters, Editors & Producers: Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn is available for interviews or to appear as a subject matter expert on issues related to the National Guard. Contact John Goheen at 202-408-5882 to schedule an interview or appearance.
NGAUS: The association was created in 1878 to provide united Guard representation in Washington. In their first productive meeting after Reconstruction, militia officers from the North and South formed the association with the goal of obtaining better equipment and training by petitioning Congress for more resources. Today, 146 years later with more than 45,000 members nationwide, NGAUS has the same mission.
