Colorado chosen as base for new Space Force units by Air Force.

U.S. Space Force Units to be Based in Colorado, Not Alabama

The U.S. Air Force has decided to base new U.S. Space Force units in Colorado, not Alabama.

Exciting news for Colorado as the U.S. Air Force has announced that four new units of the U.S. Space Force will be based on bases in the state. This decision is notable as Colorado is currently the temporary headquarters of Space Command, despite growing questions as to whether it will ultimately move to Huntsville, Alabama, where the previous administration selected for its permanent location.

Factors Considered in the Decision

The Air Force made the call “after conducting thorough site surveys which assessed the location’s ability to facilitate the missions and infrastructure capacity while accounting for community support, environmental factors and cost,” according to a press release shared on Wednesday.

While the Biden administration has reportedly considered not moving Space Command’s headquarters to Alabama due to the state’s strict anti-abortion laws, officials have denied a connection. A White House official told the Washington Examiner earlier this month that abortion laws or reproductive care access are not factors in the review of the permanent location.

Lawmakers from Both States Weigh In

Lawmakers from both Colorado and Alabama have been vocal about their desire to house U.S. Space Command indefinitely. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall earlier this month, requesting the department to preserve all documents related to the selection of a location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters.

Alternatively, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) said in a statement on Wednesday, “Colorado Springs continues to prove itself as the premier location for our nation’s space defense operations. I am pleased to announce that more than 500 personnel from Space Delta 12, Space Delta 15, and the 74th and 75th ISR squadrons will permanently join the 20 current space missions at our five military installations in Colorado Springs.”

President Biden’s Visit to Colorado

President Joe Biden is set to speak during Thursday’s commencement ceremony at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, while Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) said he’ll be using the president’s visit as another opportunity to urge him to keep Space Command’s headquarters in Colorado.

“As President Biden and his administration near a final basing decision for Space Command, we urge them to restore the integrity of this process and make a decision in the interest of our national security — to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs,” his office said in a statement to the Associated Press.

Conclusion

It remains to be seen where the permanent location of U.S. Space Command will be, but for now, Colorado can celebrate the decision to base new U.S. Space Force units in the state.