Strong presses Air Force secretary on space command HQ decision

WASHINGTON—Today Representative Dale Strong (AL-05), member of the House Armed Services Committee, questioned the Secretary of the Air Force during a hearing on the Department of the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request.

While questioning Secretary Kendall, Rep. Strong asked the following:

“In May 2022 you testified that you were hoping to move forward with a final decision as quickly as you could. Last month you testified you’re expecting a decision ‘fairly soon’. Why on earth have we not received a final decision regarding U.S. Space Command headquarters?”

Additionally, Rep. Strong joined Alabama delegation members of House Armed Services Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chair of the House Armed Services Committee and Rep. Terri Sewell (D, AL-07), to release the following joint statement regarding the Air Force’s continued delays in announcing their decision for the Space Force Headquarters placement. This statement follows the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Department of the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget request.

“Today, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, we questioned Air Force officials on why they continue to delay finalizing the decision to move Space Command Headquarters to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Ensuring our country’s space defense is headquartered in the best possible location is of the utmost importance to the Space Force’s overall mission and success. The Air Force closely scrutinized multiple locations based on multiple factors to decide where Space Command Headquarters should be, and Huntsville was the indisputable winner in both the Evaluation and Selection phases. The fact is that Redstone Arsenal offers the best possible location for Space Command Headquarters, and it is in our country’s best national security interest to make this move immediately.”