HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Alabama leaders have responded to the announcement that Space Command’s headquarters is headed to the Rocket City.
Governor Kay Ivey said the move has been a long time coming. She said the Rocket City is truly Space Central. You can read her full statement below.
“Soon after President Trump directed the Department of Defense in 2018 to begin planning for this new military branch, Space Force, we began making our own preparations in Alabama for the city of Huntsville to compete to be home for Headquarters. As I have said all along, there is no better place to locate Space Command Headquarters than in Huntsville, Alabama. Today, the facts prevailed, and it is official: Space Command Headquarters is coming to Sweet Home Alabama.
The Redstone Arsenal region was ready to welcome Space Command Headquarters when I made the official pitch to the Defense secretary in June 2019, and it remains ready today to not only welcome Headquarters, but to welcome all of the military personnel and their families.
I commend Redstone and city of Huntsville leaders for their diligence in maintaining a mission-ready stance. I also applaud our entire Congressional delegation – Republicans and Democrats – especially Congressman Mike Rogers as chairman of the House Armed Service Committee. As our history shows, Alabama always stands ready to support the defense of our great nation, and Huntsville continues proving the Rocket City is truly ‘Space Central.”’
Gov. Kay Ivey
Several state leaders were inside the meeting with President Donald Trump when he made the announcement.
“Space Command Established in Its Rightful Place: Sweet Home Alabama,” Congressman Robert Aderholt said.
You can read his full statement below.
“I applaud President Trump’s decision to locate U.S. Space Command in Huntsville. The Air Force originally selected Huntsville in 2021 based 100% on merit as the best choice. President Biden reversed that decision based on politics. This wrong has been righted and Space Command will take its place among Huntsville’s world-renowned space, aeronautics, and defense leaders.”
Congressman Robert Aderholt
“It’s Time to Move Dirt,” Representative Dale Strong said. He also mentioned how he joins the entire state in welcoming Space Command and that this move is not a political decision. You can read his full statement below.
“I join all of Alabama in welcoming Space Command to our great state. I’ve said all along that basing the Headquarters in Huntsville is not a political decision; it’s a national security one. North Alabama has long been the linchpin of defending our interests at home and abroad, and we are prepared to now do our part in defending American interests in space.
It’s been rewarding to play a role in every step of this process and to ensure that Space Command’s Headquarters rightfully resides in the most capable and best-equipped community – which has been proven time and again to be Redstone Arsenal.
I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Hegseth for their commitment to doing what is best for the security and future of our nation, and I remain grateful for the unified support of the entire Alabama delegation along the way. I am excited for all that is to come, and now – it’s time to move dirt.”
Representative Dale Strong
Senator Tommy Tuberville said this HQ move brings the Command to its “rightful home.” You can read his full statement below.
“President Trump is doing the right thing by moving SPACECOM back to its rightful home in Sweet Home Alabama. This was never supposed to be about politics. After a thorough selection process involving 66 possible locations, Huntsville was chosen fair and square. But unfortunately, the Biden Administration chose politics over national security. Thankfully, President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and Secretary Meink are restoring merit and integrity to the process and saving taxpayers nearly a half a billion dollars. We couldn’t be more excited to immediately welcome SPACECOM to the Rocket City.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville
U.S. Senator Katie Britt said she applauded the “restoration of the U.S. Air Force’s merit-based decision to permanently base U.S. Space Command Headquarters on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.” You can read her full statement below.
“As I have long stated, locating the permanent Space Command headquarters at Redstone Arsenal is in the best national security interest of the United States. In 2021, the Air Force made a decision to choose Redstone as the preferred basing location purely on merits, as Huntsville finished first in both the Air Force’s Evaluation Phase and Selection Phase. To the detriment of U.S. national security, President Biden chose to undermine the integrity of the process and put politics ahead of merit by yanking this military decision out of the Air Force’s hands.
I’m deeply grateful to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth for their commitment to keep politics out of this basing decision and allow the Air Force to proceed with doing its job. Alabama’s world-class aerospace and defense workforce, capabilities, and synergies stand ready to fulfill the mission and strengthen our national security long into the future. I’m proud that Alabama’s congressional delegation – working tirelessly together on a bipartisan basis – has won this fight on behalf of our great state and America’s national security interests.”
Senator Katie Britt
Leiutenant General Chris Mohan, Army Materiel Command deputy commanding general and acting commander, said that Redstone Arsenal is known as a “thriving center of excellance” which already houses several major governmental agencies. You can view the full statement below.
“Redstone Arsenal is a thriving Federal Center of Excellence, where the Army, FBI, NASA, and other agencies come together to drive innovation and advance our nation’s interests. We are proud of the work being done here and are ready to welcome Space Command, which fits perfectly within our four core competencies– space, logistics, research and intelligence operations.”
Leiutenant General Chris Mohan
Bethany Shockney, President & CEO, Limestone County Economic Development Association, also chimed in on the announcement. Shockney said the announcement is represents a “transformative movement” for the Tennessee Valley. “Thousands” of jobs are expected to come from this move. You can read the full statement made from Shockney below.
“Today’s announcement that U.S. Space Command will relocate to Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal represents a transformative moment for our entire Tennessee Valley region, including Limestone County. This decision validates what we’ve long known – that North Alabama offers unparalleled advantages for aerospace and defense operations.
The arrival of Space Command, which is set to bring thousands of new direct and indirect jobs to the Tennessee Valley, will have a tremendous economic ripple effect throughout our metro area. As the fastest-growing county in Alabama, Limestone County is perfectly positioned to support this expansion, offering quality workforce development, excellent infrastructure, and the community support these service members and their families deserve.
Our region has successfully executed similar major relocations before, and that experience will serve us well as we welcome Space Command to the Tennessee Valley. This decision not only strengthens our national security capabilities but also reinforces North Alabama’s position as the premier destination for aerospace innovation and defense excellence. We look forward to supporting this critical mission and the economic growth it will bring to our entire region.”
Bethany ShockneyPresident & CEO, Limestone County Economic Development Association
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle also provided a statement to News 19 about the announcement. He said this is a strategic move to strengthen national security and America’s future in space. You can read the full statement below.
“This decision is not about what’s best for Huntsville – it’s about being mission-focused. The decision to locate U.S. Space Command at Redstone ensures our nation is prepared to meet growing challenges in space. Huntsville is ready with our experienced workforce, resilient infrastructure and deep commitment to national defense.”
Tommy BattleHuntsville Mayor
Additionally, the City of Huntsville said, “This synergy of expertise and resources makes Redstone a vital asset to U.S. security and technological leadership. Approximately 60 acres of land near the center of the Arsenal have been identified for the new headquarters facility.”
The Alabama GOP said this announcement of the HQ moving to Redstone Arsenal is “correcting a politically motivated decision by the Biden administration.” You can read the full statement from the ALGOP below.
“Today’s announcement on the relocation of Space Command is a tremendous victory for the State of Alabama as well as for the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping our nation safe. The Republican Party and our elected officials have been strong advocates for returning this critical piece of national security back to Huntsville where it belongs. The Air Force and Inspector General identified Redstone Arsenal as the most cost-effective and strategically best location. Today, a wrong was corrected. We are proud of President Trump’s leadership and his recognition that Huntsville is the right place for the U.S. Space Command.”
ALGOP Chairman Wahl
Redstone Garrison Public Affairs released photos of the proposed site for Space Command.
Click here to read more about the background of Space Command and why it is being moved to Redstone Arsenal.
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