By Marina Malenic
The Air Force is altering its management structure for space-related functions at the Pentagon, according to a memo issued last week by the service’s top civilian official.
Donley writes that a review he ordered in December 2009 demonstrates that space responsibilities at headquarters had become “fragmented” as the result of outside policy changes since the establishment of the existing space management organization. In the Aug. 25 memo, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley orders the separation of operational space functions from space acquisition management within five days.
The existing “organizational structure has segregated the execution of space acquisition management from the [headquarters] office specifically created to manage Air Force acquisition,” he writes.
The study Donley used in formulating the decision involved more than 70 interviews with officials across government and industry. It was conducted by Richard McKinney, recently named the service’s deputy undersecretary for space programs.
“The study also noted that separation of authorities has created both internal and external confusion regarding roles, responsibilities and relationships among Air Force organizations and those supporting the [executive agent] for space,” Donley states in the memo. “In effect, the current arrangement mixes planning, policy and integration functions with those of line acquisition functions.”
In the new management structure, the service undersecretary, Erin Conaton, will oversee operational activities, and acquisition will be moved to the office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, David van Buren.
In addition to reorganizing headquarters space activities, Donley ordered creation of an Air Force Space Board to coordinate the service’s positions with other space organizations within the military and across government agencies. The Air Force undersecretary and vice chief of staff are to chair that organization, which will oversee acquisition, international affairs, requirements, operations and training, according to the memo.
Donley’s order does not direct any changes to field organizations outside the Pentagon, such as the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif.