“In fact, the AF is morphing into Space Command. This is the same boneheaded thinking that prevailed when they talked about missiles eliminating the need for guns on fighters.”
I heartily agree with the second part, but as to the first...why should USAF get to monopolize space? As a writer in Proceedings Magazine put it, Space is a giant ocean, and oceans are where Navies go. If we ever truly militarize space beyond our orbit, the Naval model is certainly the logical one; the economics and realities of space travel favor the large traveling, self supporting ship model more than a model on the small craft squadron that would require a base somewhere.
I understand your point. So far, we aren’t trying to project our force to other worlds, just our presence.