2021-01-13 20:09:45
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The US Air Force is expected to announce Huntsville, Alabama, as the location forthe headquarters of the US Space Command, according to the Alabama governor.
Gov. Kay Ivey said the Redstone region of Huntsville will house the headquarters. The governor said he had been informed of the decision on Wednesday morning.
The role of the Space Command is to conduct operations such as enabling satellite-based navigation and troop communications and warning of missile launches. That's different from the Space Force, which is a separate military service like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
"I couldn't be more pleased to hear that Alabama will be the new home of the US Space Command," Ivey said in a statement.
"Our state has long provided exceptional support to our military and their families, as well as a rich and storied history of space exploration," said Ivey.
Huntsville's nickname, Rocket City, is largely due to Wernher von Braun and his team of fellow German-born missiles who settled there in the 1950s. The city has long been home to the Army's Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
"The bottom line is that the Redstone region is the most natural choice to become home to such an important mission for our country," said Ivey.
Ivey & # 39; s office said Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Instillations Bob Moriarity called Ivey to inform her of Secretary Barbara Barrett's decision as to where headquarters would be located.
A number of states competed for the site.
Other finalists for the site were Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, Port San Antonio in Texas and Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida.
President Donald Trump authorized the creation of the United States Space Command in 2019 to maintain American dominance on what he called the 'ultimate high ground'. called.
Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle said the city is honored to have been selected.
In a tweet, Ivey thanked US Senator Richard Shelby, former US Senator Doug Jones, and local officials for Alabama's advocacy for the site.
. (tagsToTranslate) US Space Command (t) Hunstville Alabama Space Command (t) Space Force HQ (t) Space Command Headquarters (t) Huntsville & # 39; s Redstone Region (t) Army
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