USECAF, DNRO Creates New Offices Under Space Transformation Plan

February 11, 2002

On Feb. 7, Under Secretary of the Air Force and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office Peter Teets announced plans to implement Space Commission integration recommendations. "We have a mandate to align Air Force and NRO best practices... to transform space and pull together a National Space Security operation that will be aligned in vector, future thrust, and where it is heading," said Mr. Teets.

The plans include the creation of two new offices: the Deputy for Military Space and Directorate of National Security Space Integration. The Deputy for Military Space will oversee military matters related to space activities and day-to-day acquisition issues for national security space programs. The deputy for this office will be the counterpart to Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office Dennis Fitzgerald who manages the daily operations at the NRO. Although this position has yet to be filled, a civilian with significant experience in military space operations is expected to be named.

Maj Gen Michael Hamel will head the Directorate of National Security Space Integration, which will be responsible for implementing best practices for military and national space programs. General Hamel is currently the director of the Air Force Space Operations and Integration office, which will close later this year. General Hamel will have a civilian deputy from the intelligence community who has yet to be named.

In addition, Mr. Teets announced Maj Gen Joseph Sovey as the new Director of Air Force Space Acquisition; Lt Gen Brian Arnold, the current commander of Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, as the new Program Executive Officer for Air Force Space; and BG Steve Ferrell as the new National Security Space Architect.

"Together these space professionals make a tremendous team to leverage our unparalleled talent from the military, intelligence community and industry to provide the nation with the best space capabilities to meet the challenges of the 21st Century," said Mr. Teets. "I see a wonderful challenge ahead. I can't tell you how pleased and enthusiastic I am about having this opportunity to provide leadership to this transformation which can truly create a National Security Space culture and operation."