The top space force general said on Wednesday that the newest military arm may have a public relations problem.
One day after White House press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiWhite House says Space Force work will continue with Biden’s immigration orders: ‘I’m eliminating bad policy’ Biden offers condolences to the families of FBI agents killed in Florida MORE It seemed to dispense with the new service during a meeting, the Chief of Space Operations, General Jay Raymond, acknowledged that “it is difficult to understand” the connection between what the Space Force does and how it affects American citizens.
“The space has no mother. You cannot reach out and hug a satellite, you cannot see it, you cannot touch it. It is difficult to have that connection if you are 22,300 miles above your head, ”Raymond told reporters in a press call. “But there is a very, very strong connection between these capabilities and our way of life.”
Psaki on Tuesday was questioned at a press conference at the White House whether President Biden will maintain the Space Force and what the scope of his mission would be.
“Wow, Space Force. It’s today’s plane, ”she replied. “It’s an interesting question. I’m happy to check with our point of contact in the Space Force. I’m not sure who it is. I’ll find out and see if they have any updates on this.”
Following the reaction of Republicans who accused her of mocking the military, Psaki said the Biden administration will continue to work in the Space Force and invited service leaders “to come and visit us in the conference room at any time to share an update on their important job. ”
Raymond said he did not have the opportunity to speak to Biden about space, although he “welcomes the opportunity”.
“I am very proud of the guardians of the Space Force. I see the value of that strength every day, ”he said. “I am happy to talk to anyone about the great job and would welcome the opportunity.”
The service a year ago has been a joke among American audiences since the old President Trump
Donald TrumpGeorgia State Secretary opens investigation into Lin Wood over allegations of illegal Schiff voting lobbying for Newsom to be named California AG he started talking about it at the beginning of his presidency, although lawmakers from both parties see it as an integral part of ensuring that the military puts enough focus on space to fight China and Russia.
Although the Space Force’s communication strategy internally “has been spectacular,” Raymond acknowledged that the American public has not yet fully understood the value of the service, which he partially attributed to the need to “severely classify what threats are out there.”
He told how his mother called him several months ago, after watching a GPS television segment to ask if he knew that the Air Force and the Space Force were dealing with the technology.
“I’m like, ‘Mom, this is what I do!’ It is difficult to understand, ”he said.