Gov. Ron DeSantis Requests President Trump to Headquarter U.S. Space Command in Florida

The Space Coast Daily ^ | February 20, 2019

[2ndDivisionVet]

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Gov. Ron DeSantis sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Tuesday requesting that the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) be headquartered in Florida.

“Today, I submitted a request to President Trump formally asking him to headquarter United States Space Command in Florida,” said Governor DeSantis.

“As the world’s premier gateway to space, Florida has been the departure point for more cargo and humans to space than any other place in the world, so I believe our state is the logical choice to base this new command. In addition to my request to the President, I have also directed Space Florida to make it a top priority to pursue and secure this new headquarters here in Florida.”

On December 18, 2018, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum to the Secretary of Defense establishing the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) as a Unified Combatant Command.

On Tuesday, President Trump signed Space Policy Directive 4, establishing a new space-focused extension of the U.S. Air Force to be housed at USSPACECOM.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

I hear you on that. I was a supporter early, but his performance in office is really remarkable. I am extremely pleased. His SCOFL appointments have been superb. Very glad that he pushed aside Putnam (tip of the hat to DJT), who could well have fallen to Gillum.

[DownInFlames]

I was thinking Houston, TX.

[ThunderSleeps]

It's going to be a horse race alright. The more I think about it though, the more I think it'll go to Colorado - specifically Colorado Springs and what is currently Schriever Air Force Base. Consider:

• Space Force will grow out of current Air Force assets and units
• SAFB and the 50th Space Wing are currently doing several of the missions that Space Force will no-doubt be tasked to perform
• The Air Force knows it will lose SAFB to the Space Force, there is no plausible scenario where they keep it, this includes the mission(s), assets, and probably many of the personnel (civilian and military) who work at SAFB or who have rotated through there
• In other words SAFB might make a good sacrifice from an Air Force perspective, something they are going to have to give up anyway - while protecting other bigger bases, from having to co-locate and share to outright losing control of them
• Space Force, when not actually in space will be communicating to space assets via satellite control etc. - well SAFB is one of if not the largest Air Force Space Command satellite control nodes
• The Colorado Springs area has a relatively low cost of living, certainly lower than anything in CA and probably lower than anything in FL, though TX may have it beat - it is still a fairly easy sell to get people to move once people see how nice it is
• Colorado Springs is a military friendly town, with Peterson Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain/USNORTHCOM/NORAD, the Air Force Academy, and Fort Carson
• Having those other service branches present is important, Space Force will need to coordinate with the other branches
• There's even a small Navy presence washed up on the Rockies thanks to the Missile Defense Agency activity at SAFB
• The MDA has a fairly significant presence on SAFB as a tenant activity
• MDA will either be working closely with the Space Force or perhaps even pulled into it
• All the major defense contractors have a presence in Colorado Springs or at one of the bases
• There is room to grow as SAFB is out in the middle of nowhere a few miles east of the Springs.
• Politically it makes sense, Colorado is a red state held hostage by the very blue Denver/Boulder area - bringing in more military and civilian defense workers who tend to lean right might tip the state back

In short, all the President has to do is change the name on the sign at the gate and maybe on a couple of buildings and he could have a near instant start-up of Space Force.

[Wuli]

Agree.

[Wuli]

No. Not Florida and not Texas. How about Huntsville Alabama, the home of the U.S. space program (yes, it’s where from Von Braun and others started developing our first ventures in space).

https://www.rocketcenter.com/overview

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks 2ndDivisionVet.

[MayflowerMadam]

You have mail.

[MamaB]

I would agree. This area is growing by leaps and bounds. I read an article that HSV will soon pass B’ham as largest city. That means more traffic and we are already blessed with too much! I try to stay home during morning, noon, and evening rush hours. Even then, it is bumper to bumper.

[Wuli]

I went to an Army AIT course at Hunstville after basic. Did not actually see a whole lot of it at that time though, but we did learn of its history in the U.S. missile program. It was summer and very hot an muggy I remember. I think flying home was via Birmingham.

[MamaB]

We moved here in 1966 after my husband graduated from MSU. He worked for NASA for many years. He died in 2006 from liver cancer just 2 years after our younger daughter died. It is hot and muggy here but right now, we are having lots of rain. County roads are closed due to flooding. The TVA is allowing all 49 dams to let tons of water through to prevent flooding. I imagine DeSoto Falls east of us has lots of water going over the falls. It is a beautiful place. We are never satisfied! God bless.

[MamaB]

We moved here in 1966 after my husband graduated from MSU. He worked for NASA for many years. He died in 2006 from liver cancer just 2 years after our younger daughter died. It is hot and muggy here but right now, we are having lots of rain. County roads are closed due to flooding. The TVA is allowing all 49 dams to let tons of water through to prevent flooding. I imagine DeSoto Falls east of us has lots of water going over the falls. It is a beautiful place. We are never satisfied! God bless.

[RKV]

On the record and in public. California is part of the USA. Stop advising Americans to do anything other than what Article 4 Section 4 of the US Constitution says is their DUTY. Read it for yourself if you don’t get it. I’m sick and tired of people like you. American bled for the land in California and to hell with giving it up.

[RKV]

So you want HQ away from a prime center of gravity in operations. That makes sense. Not.

[marajade]

Anywhere but CA.

[Grimmy]

That’s all we need. Florida Man in space.

[RKV]

Thanks for giving up. Not.

[MayflowerMadam]

“I’m sick and tired of people like you. American bled for the land in California and to hell with giving it up.”

And my ancestors bled and died for the birth of America itself long before anyone bled for California. I’m sick and tired of people who happily would dilute America’s greatness by kow-towing to a place whose residents pretty much despise America.

Of course, technically the Constitution must be followed to the letter, as CA IS a state. It would be easier to swallow if they respected us.

[plsvn]

So you want HQ away from a prime center of gravity in operations. That makes sense. Not.

Cape Canaveral... in Florida

Johnson Spaceflight Center... in Clear Lake (Houston), TX

Mmmm, that seems to have worked.

[Spitzensparkin1]

That’s right and Denver is a mile high and obviosely the correct choice since it’s the closest to space. /s

[RKV]

My ancestors came over on the Mayflower. Samuel Fuller to be specific. I’m sick of people like you. Can you do math? Trump got 4 million votes in Cali. And you want to abandon your countrymen. Shame!