By Gary Harmon
AFA Member

Without deliberately making a policy choice, it appears that the United States has vectored toward air and space "sufficiency." Though this may well be necessary in the current economic situation, it is a capabilities regime that we have not been in for many decades.

Most of my 26 years in the United States Air Force were dedicated to space research and development, acquisition, policy and operations. Since then, I have worked on space-related projects for the Services and civil and National space. While we have a great resource of vital knowledge and viable solutions in our Government and in our contractor base, it needs significant policy and budget focus to be leveraged well. At present this under-used resource is like placing savings in a below average interest account that is likely to be lower than inflation.

We had a dominant lead in space and let it slide mostly via the 1990s peace dividend payback, followed by lack of attention in the first decade of this century (no new space policy to replace the 1996 policy until the second term of the last Administration). A new version of the Senior Interagency Group (Space) is being organized, and efforts to lift ITAR restraints are seriously being considered to revive our industrial base. Nonetheless, it will take an uncomfortable amount of time before we can overcome the lack of understanding of both the time and investment needs that life cycle sustainment and advancing capabilities require.

Space is in a dilemma similar to air power generally with deepening cost, schedule and performance concerns.

Cyberspace is getting attention, not because of the military, but because we are awakening to the fact that this is an Achilles heel for our national infrastructure and banking. Again, we were a long time awakening to the fact that the world is technology rich and provides a rapid means for rogue nations, terrorists and major powers alike to be serious threats to our way of life.

As a nation, we need our security specialists to develop a passion to look beyond our immediate budget horizon, constantly analyze a broader set of alternatives and act to develop powerful arguments to stay ahead of "sufficiency." Specialists must take time to make issues crystal clear to decision makers and to listen to and incorporate their concerns in the final analyses.

Sufficiency is a draw, not victory in the making. Sufficiency only borrows time before the bill comes due. Sufficiency forfeits international influence.

We need a national debate about a balanced strategy going forward.