A favorite emerges for Space Command HQ, and it’s not San Antonio

San Antonio makes a strong case for the future U.S. Space Command headquarters.

That’s why it’s one of six cities that made the Pentagon’s cut in November.

The city is flush with assets that could complement Space Command’s mission: Port San Antonio, the National Security Agency’s Texas Cryptologic Center, Southwest Research Institute, a fast-growing roster of cybersecurity and aerospace firms, and the University of Texas at San Antonio and its still new National Security Collaboration Center.

And then there’s San Antonio’s network of three military installations, not including Camp Bullis or Camp Stanley on the North Side, and the thousands of military families who have taken root across the community.

But a strong case isn’t necessarily a winning one.

On Nov. 19, the Air Force released its short list: Kirtland AFB, N.M.; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Patrick AFB, Fla.; Peterson AFB, Colo.; Redstone Army Airfield, Ala.; and Port San Antonio.

The Pentagon is expected to name the finalist next month. But according to the rumor mill — operated by contractors and others with ties to Air Force leadership — the decision may be all but made. And San Antonio partisans won’t be happy.

Peterson AFB in Colorado

Springs is the heavy favorite. For starters, the U.S. Space Command is already headquartered there, though on a temporary basis, and the base is home to one of U.S. Space Force’s three field commands. (Created a year ago, the Space Force’s mission is, in part, to train personnel and support the Space Command. The latter was established in August 2019.)

The Air Force Academy is there, too.

Just as important, more than 250 defense and aerospace contractors work in the area, according to the Colorado Springs Chamber and Economic Development Corp. Many of them specialize in cybersecurity, global positioning and satellite technology.

Colorado Springs is the LeBron James of this competition.

“That’s been the popular intelligence from the beginning,” said Jenna SaucedoHerrera, president and CEO of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation and the coordinator of the city’s U.S. Space Command bid. “It is the path of the least resistance for the Air Force to maintain headquarters at Peterson.

“And yet, we know San Antonio and Port San Antonio present a compelling value proposition for relocating the command as well as the significant additional component investments that will inevitably follow.”

To get to know San Antonio’s main competition a little better, here’s a quick demographic primer on Colorado Springs, courtesy of the Census Bureau:

• Population: 478,000

• Median household income: $61,324

• Diversity: Whites make up 68.7 percent of the population, followed by Hispanics at 17.7 percent and Blacks at 6.2 percent (to state the obvious, not particularly diverse).

• Education: 39 percent of residents 25 and older have bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees

And here’s how San Antonio compares:

• Population: 1.5 million

• Median household income: $50,980

• Diversity: Hispanics make up 64 percent of the population, followed by whites at 25 percent and Blacks at 7 percent

• Education: 26 percent of San Antonians 25 and up have bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees.

It’s important to say that the quest for the Space Command HQ isn’t over. The Pentagon is

Port San Antonio, on the site of the former Kelly AFB, seen in the foreground in 2011, is commanding respect, even if it doesn’t land the Space Command headquarters.