Space Force

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) --  U.S. Space Force senior leaders discussed the Personnel Management Act during a panel at the Air and Space Force’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 18.   The Space Force Personnel Management Act (PMA) was approved by Congress and signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. When fully implemented, the PMA will enable the Space Force to create a new model of service that integrates active-component Guardians and Air Force Reservists serving in space-focused career fields into a unified service that offers both full- and part-time service options.  “The way that we are structuring the development for this new legislation centers...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna took to the stage to announce his three key initiatives and the new enlisted roadmap during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Sept. 17.Almost exactly one year since becoming the highest-ranking enlisted Guardian Sept. 15, 2023, Bentivegna discussed his future vision for the “Guardian Experience,” which will include Elevate the Journey, Cultivate the Warfighter and Create the Future.“These key initiatives are informed by my one year in the seat and the need for the service to optimize for Great Power Competition. They are inspired by you, the Guardians,” Bentivegna said.To Elevate the Journey, Bentivegna described the Space Force’...

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) --  Department of the Air Force senior leaders highlighted modernization and integration challenges during the Air and Space Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 16. The panel included Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration; Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein; and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife. During the panel, the DAF senior leaders focused on how the Air Force and Space Force must capitalize and leverage acceptable risk in future planning, adapt to the resourcing and risks ...

WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced seven initiatives to improve the quality of life for service members and their families today. These actions build on the extensive and unprecedented actions that Department of Defense leaders have taken over the past four years as part of Austin's Taking Care of People initiative.  Secretary Austin directed the implementation of the following:  Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts for Service Members: To reduce out-of-pocket health care costs for service members, the DoD will make HCFSAs available to Service members for the first time through a Special Enrollment Period in March 2025. HCFSAs are an optional benefit that enable Service members to set aside ...

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii (AFNS) --  A group of 18 personnel from the 4th Space Operations Squadron, a component of Delta 8, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, traveled to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam for a contingency operations exercise to test a highly technical piece of equipment known as a Mobile Constellation Control Station.“The Milstar and Advanced Extremely High Frequency military satellite communications system provides survivable, endurable and protected communications for the highest levels of military and civilian leadership within the Department of Defense,” said Tech. Sgt. Andrew White, 4th SOPS transition maintenance supervisor.In today's complex and rapidly evolving military landscape, reliable and sec...