Air Force Says No Potential Bases Chosen for Space Command Yet

(March 31, 2019) --- The Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft is pictured docked to the International Sp
NASA

The Air Force said on Monday that it has not yet finalized a list of potential bases where Space Command will be located, despite a report that the list has been whittled down to six finalists.

“No candidate basing lists have been sent to the Secretary of the Air Force for consideration,” said Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek on Monday afternoon.

CNN on Saturday reported that the Air Force has identified the six military bases that could house the U.S. military’s newest command, based on a memo it obtained.

The bases listed were: Buckley Air Force Base, CO; Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, CO; Peterson Air Force Base, CO; Schriever Air Force Base, CO; the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, AL; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.

However, Stefanek said in a phone call that the memo was an early draft, and that no decisions have been made. She said no list has been sent to the Air Force secretary for consideration yet, and that the final list could include bases not listed in the memo.

As to when the base might be chosen, she said, “I don’t have a timeline.”

Members of Congress are vying for Space Command to be based in their state — which could mean new jobs.

A bipartisan group of Florida representatives lobbied the Pentagon in February to have Space Command based in their state.

Colorado lawmakers are also making a play for their state, according to the Gazette.

Pentagon, Air Force, and Space Command leaders are set to speak at a Space Symposium on Tuesday, where lawmakers are hoping to get answers.

In addition, the Senate Armed Services Committee will host its first hearing on the Space Force on Thursday, according to the Hill.

This story has been updated.

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