News Release

WASHINGTON – This week, Reps. Jim Banks and. Jackie Walorski sent a letter to United States Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett urging her to consider Grissom Air Force Base as the future site of the U.S. Space Command headquarters.

In August of 2019, President Trump activated the U.S. Space Command as the eleventh Unified Combatant Command. The Space Command will serve as a centralized authority for the U.S. military’s role in space.

The Department of the Air Force will choose a permanent site for Space Command headquarters in early 2021, which is expected to become fully operational in about six years. The Space Command will have approximately 1,400 military and civilian personnel working in its headquarters.

“I applaud the Space Force for expanding their search beyond the traditional space hubs, like Colorado, California and Florida. Indiana has an established defense innovation base, superior educational institutions and a low cost of living; our state is innovative, primed for growth and I’m glad it isn’t being overlooked,” said Banks. 

Banks added, “Within Indiana, Grissom Air Force Base is an excellent candidate site. Its runway was designed as an alternative landing location for space missions and it has plenty of room for expansion. I encourage the Air Force to consider Grissom as they weigh options for the new U.S. Space Command headquarters.”