The SPACECOM saga continues.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, today at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, once again asked Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall if a decision had been made regarding the final location of the U.S. Space Command headquarters.
Two years ago, following an extensive search for the best location for the new home of SPACECOM, the Air Force announced Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as the new permanent location. However, delays and stalling have kept the Air Force from making a final decision.
In that time, Tuberville has repeatedly highlighted facts that Redstone Arsenal has proven to be the best place for the headhquarters.
And Tuesday, once again, Kendall told Tuberville no decision has yet been made while appearing to skirt the issue throughout the entirety of the conversation.
“Secretary Kendall, it wouldn’t be a hearing if I hadn’t asked you about Space Command. You and I have talked about this quite a bit. Are we getting closer?” said Tuberville (R-Auburn). “You know, we’re on the verge in our lifetime of a dangerous world. And, you know, we might be fighting this thing from space if we don’t watch it And we want to make sure that we’re doing the right things.
“I hope this thing doesn’t get political. It looks like it is. You know, we’ve been waiting for two years for a decision. Give me your thoughts on what’s going on with Space Command. General Dickson said in his last hearing here that he needed a decision. So, what’s your thoughts?”
Kendall, true to form, didn’t offer much information or specifics.
“I don’t have anything new to report today, Senator Tuberville,” he said. “We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to get a decision out as soon as possible, but I don’t have any new information.”
Tuberville seemed taken aback.
“None whatsoever,” he said. “Are we even thinking about it or is this just in and out?”
Kendall in return continued to stonewall.
“I just don’t have anything more to provide,” said the secretary.
Tuberville then asked Kendall if it was important that there be a permanent base for SPACECOM, to which Kendall gave a one word answer: “Yes.”
In his final remarks, Tuberville reiterated his desire to see the decision made promptly.
“You know, I think we all do,” Tuberville said. Nebraska who is on the list number two and then San Antonio number three, I think we all are kind of sitting around waiting to see what’s going to happen. But we sure would like to get this decision made and moved on down the road and have the opportunity to build on it instead of having guess work.
“Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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