Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) recently advocated for the Department of Defense to reestablish Space Command in the state, maintaining it is the epicenter of national security space.
Bennet met with Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett and talked with the Commander of U.S. Space Command General John W. Raymond regarding focus on national security space.
“My conversations with Secretary Barrett and General Raymond centered on the importance of increased focus on space as a contested domain and why reestablishing U.S. Space Command in our state would best position our nation to maintain superiority in space,” Bennet said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Barrett, Gen.Raymond, and stakeholders in Colorado to address the evolving threats in space.”
Bennet advocated Colorado’s role and history in national security space and the benefits of the state’s existing military and intelligence space infrastructure, exceptional workforce, and strong community support.
Four of the six bases selected by the Air Force as finalists to house the Space Command are in Colorado: Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in Colorado Springs, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs and Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 empowered Congress to direct the Department of Defense to establish U.S. Space Command under U.S. Strategic Command.