Space Force

Pence said the command, which will be the 11th combatant command, is the stepping stone to creating a U.S. Space Force.

Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer pledged his support Thursday for an organization dedicated to space operations.

"The added cost is a handful of F-35s," think tank analyst Todd Harrison said.

The Democrats' takeover of the House poses major challenges to current Pentagon and VA plans and budgets.

Vice President Mike Pence didn't immediately rule out positioning nuclear weapons in space sometime in the future.

Pentagon officials have waited months to address an important provision for establishing the Space Force.

A White House spokeswoman also denied that the move is being considered.

Air Force Secretary Wilson may be on the outs with Trump over the service's reluctance to advance his Space Force proposal.

"We're really wrestling with the 'how,' " Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said.

The DoD will need roughly $12.9 billion over five years to resource the proposed U.S. Space Force