Ohio ‘Space National Guard’: Why did the governor propose making it?
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View a previous report on lawmakers wanting Ohio to host a U.S. Space Force test mission in the video player above.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday asked the president to withdraw a proposal that would pull members of the Ohio National Guard into the U.S. Space Force.
Legislative Proposal 480 was sent to Congress by the U.S. Air Force in March, and would include moving some Air National Guard units into the country’s newest military branch. It would also give the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force the sole power to move soldiers or eliminate their units.
In a letter to President Joe Biden, DeWine called for the withdrawal of the proposal. He called it “unprecedented,” arguing it would severely undermine the intent of the Militia Act of 1903 and circumvent the authority of governors.
“As Commander in Chief of the Ohio National Guard, I retain the responsibility for these military organizations and their missions,” DeWine said in his letter to the president. “Usurping this power would be unprecedented, and I respectfully ask that you not do so.”
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Instead of letting the U.S. Air Force secretary conscript state guardsmen, DeWine’s letter argued for the creation of a “Space National Guard” to be overseen by governors and state adjutants general as a substitute. Alternatively, he said that existing Air National Guard support to both forces fully meets their needs.
“I urge you to adopt either approach and direct the Department of the Air Force to immediately implement such a solution,” DeWine wrote.
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In March, a bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers tried to get the state picked to host a U.S. Space Force testing mission to evaluate its capabilities. They previously wanted Ohio selected as the new headquarters for the branch, but Biden opted to keep it in Colorado.
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