This bill establishes a Space National Guard in select states, utilizing existing resources and personnel, to serve as a reserve component of the Space Force.
Jason Crow
Representative
CO-6
The "Space National Guard Establishment Act of 2025" establishes a Space National Guard in select states as a reserve component of the Space Force, utilizing existing Air National Guard facilities and personnel. It mandates the transfer of space operation staff and resources from the National Guard Bureau to the Space National Guard, without allocating additional personnel or infrastructure. The Act also requires regular briefings to Congress on the implementation and operation of the Space National Guard. Finally, the bill amends existing sections of the US code to include the Space National Guard within the definitions and provisions related to the National Guard.
Space National Guard Takes Shape: Bill Proposes New Reserve Force in 7 States Using Existing Air Guard Assets
The Space National Guard Establishment Act of 2025 lays the groundwork for creating a dedicated reserve component for the U.S. Space Force within specific states. This bill formally establishes a Space National Guard in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York, and Ohio, tasking the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau with implementing this structure within one year of the bill's enactment.
Shuffling the Deck: How It Works
Instead of building from scratch, this legislation relies heavily on existing resources. According to Section 2, personnel and units currently performing space-related missions within the Air National Guard in the designated states will be transferred to the new Space National Guard. Think of it as a re-designation rather than a massive expansion. The bill is explicit (Section 3) that the new Space Guard will use the same facilities and infrastructure currently used by the Air National Guard for space operations. No new construction or major modifications are authorized specifically for this transition, emphasizing a resource-neutral approach at the outset. A key leadership role, the Director of Space Operations for the National Guard Bureau, also transfers and becomes the Director of the Space National Guard.
Boots on the Ground (or in Orbit?): Who's Affected
The most direct impact is on the Air National Guard members currently working in space operations within those seven states. Their unit names, patches, and potentially some command structures will change to align with the Space Force. While the bill aims to limit disruption by using existing personnel (Section 2 explicitly states "No additional persons are authorized"), these service members will now formally be part of the Space Force's reserve component. State-level National Guard administration in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York, and Ohio will also need to adapt to managing this new branch component, albeit without additional state-level personnel authorized by this bill.
Keeping Tabs and Making it Official
To ensure this transition stays on track and Congress stays informed, the bill mandates regular updates. Section 4 requires the Air Force Secretary, Space Force Chief, and National Guard Bureau Chief to jointly brief congressional defense committees within 90 days of enactment, and then annually for five years. These briefings will cover everything from missions and personnel to budget details. Furthermore, Section 5 makes the necessary legal tweaks to federal law (specifically Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, which govern the armed forces and the National Guard) to officially recognize the Space National Guard and define its status as a reserve component, ensuring it fits legally within the existing military framework.