U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined military leaders, Alabama’s congressional delegation and local officials today for the unveiling of the U.S. Space Command sign at Redstone Arsenal, formally marking the future site of the command’s permanent headquarters.
“It’s a blessing and an honor to be here,” Hegseth said. “I want to say congratulations to Alabama, congratulations to Huntsville, congratulations to Redstone Arsenal, congratulations to this entire delegation.”
Speaking on behalf of President Donald Trump, the Defense Secretary told the crowd assembled that the decision to locate Space Command in North Alabama was straightforward.
“It is common sense that this is precisely where Space Command should be,” he said. “It is common sense that we need to move rapidly and we will.”
The ceremony, held under clear blue skies on the Arsenal, drew a large crowd and marked the first visible milestone in Space Command’s relocation from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs to Huntsville.
Hegseth said his department is committed to accelerating the process. He said the unveiling signals “full speed ahead, full steam motion to ensure that we break ground, we move, we build, we move people, we move capabilities right where it should be as quickly as possible.”
Space Command, one of the Defense Department’s 11 unified combatant commands, was reestablished in 2019 and is responsible for planning, executing and integrating military space power to deter aggression, defend national interests and, when necessary, defeat threats.
Space Command Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting said the event marked the beginning of a major transition for the combatant command.
“This world-class event is a testament to the strength of our relationships and signals our bright future together,” Whiting said. “We are grateful for your support as we relocate our war fighters and their families and build a new permanent command headquarters right on this location.”
Whiting emphasized the importance of community support as the command prepares to move a significant portion of its workforce to Redstone Arsenal.
“We are going to need it as we work together to advance from today’s sign unveiling, which is obviously a significant event, to moving a significant portion of our workforce within the next few years here to Redstone, to ultimately cutting the ribbon on our new purpose built facility for U.S. Space Command,” he said.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meinke said multiple independent reviews confirmed Huntsville was the right choice.
“After five years of assessing and independent assessments, it all said this was the place for U.S. Space Command to be,” Meinke said. “Now we are off to the races to get it done.”
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville framed the move as critical to national security.
“We want a state of the art facility here that’s going to protect the United States of America and its allies,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said. “There wasn’t a better place for it.”
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt credited bipartisan cooperation and local leadership for bringing the command to Alabama.
“We all worked in lockstep to try to help make this happen,” Britt (R-Montgomery) said. “That means Democrat, Republican, that means House and Senate … making sure that we used every tool in our toolbox to bring Space Command home.”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers recounted the long path to the decision, noting Huntsville won multiple national competitions for the headquarters.
“Huntsville, Alabama won that competition,” Rogers (R-Saks) said. “There was a little effort to try to subvert that … This delegation stuck together to make sure that did not happen.”
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong said Space Command will not just be located in North Alabama, but thrive there.
“Space Command will not just exist here, it will thrive here,” Strong (R-Huntsville) said. “North Alabama is ready, Redstone Arsenal is ready, Space Command is ready, and this is just the beginning of what we will accomplish together.”
The event was hosted by Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, commander of the Army Materiel Command, who formally welcomed Space Command to Redstone Arsenal and the Tennessee Valley.
Also attending the ceremony were Reps. Robert Aderholt, Terry Sewell, Gary Palmer, Barry Moore, Scott DesJarlais and Shomari Figures; Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffy; Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Madison Mayor Renae Bartlett; and senior military leaders and civic officials.
Hegseth closed by underscoring the urgency behind the move and its broader implications.
“The quicker we establish this, the more robust the capabilities are, the more likely we are able to deter the next conflict and if necessary, stand prepared to overwhelmingly defeat our enemies,” he said. “And that’s why I’m here today.”
Courtesy of 256 Today.
