Review of decision not to award Space Command to Alabama inconclusive, with Trump reversal expected

 1655643028 
1744780849

A solider wears a U.S. Space Force uniform during a ceremony for U.S. Air Force airmen transitioning to U.S. Space Force guardian designations at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Feb. 12, 2021.

Noah Berger, AP Photo

By Tara Copp

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the Trump administration expected to reverse a controversial 2023 decision on the permanent location of U.S. Space Command, a review by the Defense Department inspector general could not determine why Colorado was chosen over Alabama.

The inspector general’s report, issued Friday, said this was in part due to a lack of access to senior defense officials during the Biden administration, when the review began.

The location of U.S. Space Command has significant implications for the local economy, given the fast growth in national defense spending in space-based communications and defenses.

In 2021, the Air Force identified Army Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as the preferred location for the new U.S. Space Command due to cost and other factors. But a temporary headquarters had already been established in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and after multiple delays President Joe Biden announced it as the permanent headquarters.

Alabama’s Republican congressional delegation accused the Biden administration of politicizing the decision. But Colorado, which has Republican and Democratic lawmakers, is home to many other Air Force and U.S. Space Force facilities.

As recently as last week, Rep. Mike Rogers House, an Alabama Republican who chairs the House Armed Services Committee, told a panel at Auburn University he expects the decision to be reversed by the White House before the end of April.

The location of Space Command would be one of many decisions that have swung back and forth between Biden and President Donald Trump. For instance, Biden stopped the construction of the border wall that began during Trump’s first term, only to have Trump now vow to complete it. And Trump is again seeking to ban transgender troops from serving in the military, after Biden removed Trump’s first-term limitations.

The controversy over the basing decision began seven days before Trump’s first term expired, when his Air Force secretary announced Alabama would be home to Space Command, pending an environmental review.

That review was completed about six months into Biden’s term and found no significant impact with hosting the command in Alabama. But the new administration did not act on the decision.

Instead, a year later, the Biden White House said it was keeping the headquarters in Colorado Springs, citing the time that would be lost relocating staff and the headquarters to Huntsville.

The report said interviews has been requested with Biden’s Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to understand why Huntsville was not named, but the Biden White House would only allow the interviews if administration lawyers were present. The inspector general rejected that condition, saying it could affect its unfettered access to information.

 

Birmingham’s poet laureate releases ‘The Other Revival’ book for Juneteenth

Birmingham’s first poet laureate Salaam Green released a new book this week to coincide with the Juneteenth holiday. The Other Revival features poems inspired by descendants of Black enslaved people and white descendants of a central Alabama plantation. 

Israel vows to intensify attacks after Iranian missile hits major hospital

Officials said they were still assessing "extensive damage" at a major hospital in southern Israel after it was struck by an Iranian missile early Thursday.

How Juneteenth and Black America helped shape U.S. cuisine

Food and cooking play a big role in Juneteenth celebrations. The barbecues and fish fries woven into Black culture helped shape American cuisine.

Trump’s VA cut a program that’s saving vets’ homes. Even Republicans have questions

NPR has heard from more than 50 veterans around the country who are upset about the VA cutting a program that was helping vets avoid foreclosure. Veterans now have worse options than most Americans.

Planning to be outside on a hot day? Take these precautions

People spend a lot of time outside during hot weather. Whether you're going to the beach, walking your dog or working your shift as a lifeguard, try these 7 proven ways to stay cool and prevent heat-related illness while outside.

Inside a school that’s working to fix the U.S. shortage of air traffic controllers

Facing a severe shortage, the FAA is racing to hire thousands of air traffic controllers. But training them can take years. We visit a school in Florida that's trying to get them on the job faster.

More Front Page Coverage