Mattis Throws Support Behind New Space-Focused Military Command

Mattis Throws Support Behind New Space-Focused Military Command
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis attends the swearing in ceremony for new Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on July 30, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
|Updated:

WASHINGTON—U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Aug. 7 threw his support behind the idea of creating a space-focused military command but stopped short of promising the new “Space Force” branch of service that President Donald Trump has touted.

Trump called for the creation of a sixth branch of the military, for space, a move critics said could harm the Air Force and which U.S. officials say would require an act of Congress.