By Lee Roop
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told the leader of the Air Force today that Alabama lawmakers “are beyond the point of frustration with the continued delay in announcing the final decision” on a permanent location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters.
Both Rogers and fellow Alabama congressman Dale Strong, both Republicans on the committee, asked Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall repeatedly during a budget hearing for an explanation of the continued delay. A Pentagon review process designed to take politics out of base location decisions, which mean growth and money for winning cities, ranked Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal the best choice among finalists.
Former President Donald Trump put politics back into the selection by saying he personally made the decision for Alabama announced late in his term. Colorado lawmakers have used Trump’s statement to delay a final decision the new command’s final home.
Kendall did not address the base issue in his opening statement or respond directly to questions about it. Meanwhile, it remains in Colorado Springs where it was started while lawmakers there try to get President Biden to reverse the decision.
That delay is “undermining our ability to defend this nation,” Rogers said. Huntsville has passed every review and hurdle, Rogers said, adding, “There is only one state that is protesting, and that state came in fifth.” That was Colorado’s ranking among the finalists
“The political games must end,” Rogers said. “Your continued handwringing is delaying SPACECOM’s full operational capability and undermining our ability to defend this nation,” Rogers said. “You need to end this charade and make the announcement,” Rogers concluded.
Strong, a committee member, followed with slides showing reviews by the base selection teams and asked Kendall to read the top base – Redstone Arsenal – in several comparisons. Kendell would only say that the answer was on the chart. It was Redstone Arsenal.
Strong asked Kendall if he knew which base ranked first among the six finalists. “In the previous analysis?” Kendall asked. “I believe I do.”
“It was Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., with nine criteria in the top ranking,” Strong said.
Strong asked Kendall if he knew how Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs ranked. “I do not recall how Peterson faired,” Kendall answered. “Let me help you,” Strong said. “Peterson had five criteria in the top third, six in the middle and 10 in the bottom criteria.”
