Air Force Secretary appointment is promising for Alabama, future of space defense

President Donald Trump chose Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as the home of Space Command under his first term. Right now, a new Air Force Secretary is moving through the confirmation process. Federal lawmakers say new leadership is promising for our state and the future of space defense.

For the U.S. Space Force, a countdown is a call to action. Leaders hope President Trump’s appointment for Air Force Secretary, Dr. Troy Meink, will bring that call down south to Alabama.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) explained Dr. Meink can move the Space Command headquarters if he’s confirmed.

“Rest assured that I will be reminding him of the multiple studies confirming that Huntsville is the best place for SPACECOMM,” said Tuberville. “On the basis of infrastructure, cost, mission capability and the quality of the local community.”

Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) agreed. He said it will add to Huntsville’s reputation in space.

“Multiple independent reviews have shown that Alabama is the best home for the Space Force,” he said. “And it’s time to get this behind us, get this chapter behind us and get some shovels in the ground; get some workers here and get going in defending the country.”

Figures says Alabama has had a longtime impact on national defense.

“Look, Alabama just has a long-stories history in the defense industry. Going all the way back to the Tuskegee Airmen, right? The world’s greatest known fighting force trained right here in Tuskegee — right here in district two,” Figures said.

Sen. Tuberville said he will keep pushing to bring the headquarters back to our state.

“This couldn’t come at a better time,” he explained. “Given, this week, Forbes ranked Madison, Alabama as one of the top places to live in the country. And, missing from that list- by the way- was Colorado Springs, Colorado.”

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) chairs the House Armed Services Committee. His office sayd, after Dr. Meink is confirmed, it could be only a few months before Space Command is officially moved back to Alabama.