Colo. picked for more Space Force missions; N.M. named, too

WASHINGTON — The Air Force announced the permanent location for many more U.S. Space Force units Wednesday — and none of them are in Huntsville, Ala., suggesting the service may be moving ahead with at least part of the design it originally sought for the new force before it became entangled in politics.

Four more Space Force missions will now be based in Colorado Springs, a notable choice during a larger and now politicized battle over where to locate the permanent headquarters of U.S. Space Command. Colorado Springs, which is housing Space Command’s temporary headquarters, was the Air Force’s preferred location, but Donald Trump, in the final days of his presidency, selected Alabama instead.

While the Pentagon and White House have said the decisions are not directly linked, Alabama has strict anti-abortion laws, and its Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville earlier this year announced he would hold up all military nominations until the Department of Defense rescinds a policy that would allow female service members to be reimbursed for travel costs if they have to go out of state for reproductive care. Tuberville could not immediately be reached for comment.

Other locations announced as new permanent homes for Space Force missions are in Florida and New Mexico.

The Space Force announcement came as President Joe Biden left for Colorado Springs to speak during Thursday’s commencement ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet said he’ll be using the president’s visit as another opportunity to press for the command.