In 2021 a decision was made to move the 1800 U.S. Space Command staff and their families to Huntsville, Alabama. Since that time the Air Force Secretary has concluded that additional analysis is necessary. This Trump-era decision has dragged on for two years.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in response to a Military.com question that the final decision will come “fairly soon” but further analysis is needed. The holdup has been linked mostly to politics.
Political Implications of Space Command’s Move?
“I’m deeply concerned about how the Dobbs decision and state abortion bans will affect Space Command’s workforce and readiness if the command leaves Colorado,” Bennet said in an emailed statement to Military.com this past August.
Bennet was referencing the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. He emphasized that tougher Alabama abortion laws might be construed as a negative, making recruiting more difficult.
Additionally, Biden Administration policies are already taking their toll on military recruiting. According to Air Force Secretary, Frank Kendall, the service “is struggling to add new members to its ranks and will likely miss its active-duty reserve goals this year.”
Why Politics Plays a Role
In August 2021, while speaking on a local Alabama radio show, Donald Trump said the Alabama move was completely his decision, which sparked worries that he had short-circuited the selection process.
“Space Force — I sent to Alabama,” Trump told the “Rick & Bubba” radio show at the time. “I hope you know that. [They] said they were looking for a home, and I single-handedly said, ‘Let’s go to Alabama.’ They wanted it. I said, ‘Let’s go to Alabama. I love Alabama.'”
Two watchdog reports, requested by members of Colorado’s delegation in Washington, followed.
A Department of Defense Inspector General’s report said that, while the selection process was marred by shoddy record-keeping, the ultimate decision to choose Huntsville was “reasonable.”
The Government Accountability Office subsequently released a report that the choice to move U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama was marred by an unorganized and unclear process. They did not report if the decision was made by Trump or a senior military official.
“Although the Air Force documented the general rationale for selecting Redstone Arsenal in an action memorandum and accompanying documents, there was no consensus among the officials we interviewed regarding who ultimately made the decision to name Redstone Arsenal as the preferred location for U.S. Space Command headquarters, including the role of the then-president in making the decision,” the report said.
Biden Administration May Reverse the Decision
“The White House appears ready to reverse a Trump administration plan to relocate the U.S. Space Command from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Ala.,” writes Washington Post national columnist David Ignatius. Trump claimed credit for the Space Command move to Huntsville saying in Alabama that he personally made the decision after Alabama supported his unsuccessful re-election bid.
“The White House fears the transfer would disrupt operations at a time when space is increasingly important to the military.” Ignatius wrote.
Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey admitted she had not reviewed Ignatius’ “opinion article,” adding, “Alabama has been through multiple reviews, and we have clearly earned the right to be at the top of the list. We will stay strong. And we’re going to keep the Space Command headquarters here in Alabama.”
Alabama Senator, Tommy Tuberville added on Twitter. “Political attempts to derail SPACECOM’S move to Alabama are nothing but a case of “sore loser” syndrome. Those standing in the way are relying on red herring arguments instead of facts.”
Politics Aside, What Makes Sense?
At first glance, it appears to be a “no-brainer!” Cheyenne Mountain is just west of Colorado Springs. The Air Force Academy is in Colorado Springs. Peterson Space Force Base is already here. Why move it?
The cost of living may have something to do with it!
The average U.S. Space Command salary is $68,840. According to the latest from Zillow, the average home price in Colorado Springs is $445,000. Huntsville, Alabama’s average is slightly less than $254,000. Coupled with the city’s excellent schools and very low state and local taxes and you have a trifecta!
Few places can match Colorado on the grandiose scale. From Snowmass to Garden of the Gods, to Mesa Verde National Park, only a handful of states can equal it. Huntsville is esthetically friendly, has a mild subtropical climate, and is a short drive to major cities, mountains, and world-class beaches.
Huntsville has offered to headquarters the U.S. Space Command at Redstone Arsenal while a new facility is built. “I had always heard great things about this installation and community but had never served here.” Army Material Command Major General Walter “Walt” Duzzny had relayed last fall. “But coming here, it’s all true.”
Men and women in the military have historically leaned conservative. Alabama is “deep red.” Men and women in uniform are mostly revered in Alabama. The state has always supported strong military spending.
Conversely, Colorado has moved rapidly from “purple to blue,” and is led by two Democrat U.S. Senators and an openly gay Democrat Governor. Currently, Colorado Springs maintains a “maroon hue.” Yet Denver and Boulder, the state’s political and academic nerve centers, are approaching San Francisco ideologically.
In short, should military preference be the tiebreaker, Colorado might find itself on the short end of the stick.
