Proposal Submitted Recommending Buckley as Space Command Headquarters

Aurora, CO —A formal proposal nominating Buckley AFB in Aurora as the permanent location for the Headquarters of U.S. Space Command was submitted to the Department of the Air Force on Friday, Aug. 28.

The 15-page document addressing key Space Command requirements was compiled by a working group formed within the Defense Council of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce including the City of Aurora, with the close participation of Rep. Jason Crow who made the case for Buckley AFB with state, local, and federal officials over the past 18 months.

Congressman Crow stated, "There is no doubt that space will play an increasingly integral role in our country's national security and it is imperative that we establish the U.S. Space Command in a community where it will succeed. Buckley Air Force Base comes equipped with the right infrastructure, talented aerospace workforce, and the quality of life to support the men and women of Space Command. As both a veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I'm proud to be working closely with the Aurora Defense Council and the City of Aurora to make the case for Buckley and Aurora as the new home for Space Command. Our state's proud tradition as a global aerospace leader combined with Buckley's military preeminence would ensure that U.S. Space Command would be set up for success from the start."

Over the course of the last two years, Crow has worked with key stakeholders to advocate for Buckley AFB including meetings and discussions with Secretary Barrett, 25th Secretary of the Air Force, and multiple meetings and a site visit with General Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, to discuss updates to the basing process for USSPACECOM and highlight the aerospace talent, infrastructure, and quality of life in the Denver metro region. Raymond is the most senior uniformed official at Space Force and is responsible for building the Space Force in the years to come.

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Crow and Gen. Raymond at Buckley AFB this summer

The team consisted of space operations experts from throughout the metro area as well as community, education, and business leaders who worked closely together to build a strong case for Buckley AFB.

In 2019, Crow led a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force calling for the U.S. Space Command to be based at Buckley Air Force Base. Later that year, Crow and the entire Colorado delegation alongside Governor Polis sent a new letter to the U.S. Department of Defense reiterating their call for the headquarters to be reestablished in Colorado.

During this NDAA, Crow led the amendment to adopt the bill he introduced alongside Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Cheney (R-WY), Turner (R-OH), Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Cheri Bustos (D-IL) that directs the President to develop and maintain a comprehensive national space strategy, secure government and commercial space assets, and ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of space operations. In the FY20 NDAA markup, Crow and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) led an effort to ensure that National Security Space Launch maintained the same scope and schedule to ensure that the United States transitions away from using Russian-made rockets to send our most sensitive satellites into space. Crow joined with Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS) for an amendment to the FY21 NDAA to require the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report on the creation of a reserve component for the Space Force.

Nearly 40 locations throughout the country are seeking to be considered for the headquarters. This group will be narrowed to key candidates later this year with final selection expected to be made early next year.

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