U.S. Space Command launching Aug. 29; Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal on shortlist

Redstone Arsenal Gate 9

Redstone Arsenal Gate 9. Redstone could soon be home to the U.S. Space Command.

Alabama could know as soon as this month if the state will be tapped as the new home for the U.S. Space Command.

Speaking Tuesday at the National Space Council in Chantilly, Virginia, Vice President Mike Pence said the command’s official launch is set for Aug. 29. Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal is on the Air Force Secretary’s short list of six potential homes of the Space Command. Colorado, home to four potential headquarters, is seen as the front runner, with Alabama and California each having one entry.

"Space is a war-fighting domain," Pence said. "The United States Space Force will ensure that our nation is prepared to defend our people, to defend our interests and defend our values in the vast expanse of space and here on the Earth with the technologies that will support our common defense."

Gen. Joe Dunford, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the SPACECOM will inherit 87 units, including “missile warning, satellite operations, space control and space support,” Defense News reported.

Eventually, the command could bring as many as 1,450 personnel, including 390 military officers, 183 enlisted personnel, 827 civilians and 50 contractors to Redstone, which is home to the Missile Defense Agency, Army Aviation and Missile Command and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Raymond to lead command

Pence also announced Four Star Air Force General John Raymond will be the command’s first leader. Raymond, a graduate of Clemson University, is currently the commander of Air Force Space Command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. Prior to assuming command of AFSPC, Raymond was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

Raymond has ties to Alabama through Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, attending Squadron Officer School in 1990; Air Command and Staff College in 1997; Combined Force Air Component Commander Course; and Joint Flag Office Warfighting Course in 2012.

The establishment of the Space Command is seen as the first step towards standing up the Space Force, a new military branch backed by President Donald Trump. The Space Force is expected to be ready by 2020.

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