US defense secretary backs creation of 'space force'

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON

Defense Secretary James Mattis voiced support Tuesday for the creation of a sixth branch of the U.S. military dubbed the “Space Force”.

Speaking to reporters outside the Pentagon ahead of a meeting with his British counterpart Gavin Williamson, Mattis said he "absolutely" supported establishing a new combatant command for space.

"We need to address space as a developing war fighting domain, and a combatant command is certainly one thing that we can establish.

"This is a process we're in," Mattis said.

In June, President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to immediately work to create a sixth military service branch that will ensure "American dominance" in outer space.

Mattis said the Pentagon and White House were in "complete agreement" on the establishment of the space force.

"We are working our way through all this. We are in complete agreement. The vice president [Mike Pence] is kind of the point man for the president on this. We are working closely daily with his office and with supporters on Capitol Hill and the relevant committees," he added.

*Kasim Ileri contributed to this story