DAYTON — Members of Congress from the Miami Valley Wednesday joined a chorus of state and local community leaders speaking out in support of Ohio’s bid to have the Air Force house the headquarters for the new US Space Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. It came in an on-line event hosted by the Dayton Development Coalition.
The DDC traditionally holds an annual “fly-in” to take business and community leaders to Washington D.C. to talk first-hand with top lawmakers and policy makers about important issues in business and government. This year, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the event was held on-line.
Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, told coalition members that the new US Space Command would fit right into Wright-Patterson Air Force base, with the base’s diverse programs in research and intelligence. “They have some great missions,” Davidson said, “our capabilities are unmatched. There is no question they are a perfect fit for Space Force. If we don’t get the headquarters, we should definitely get the intelligence in our region and other ancillary missions.”
When Gov. Mike DeWine made the formal application to the Air Force to have WPAFB house the mission’s headquarters, DeWine said it would bring 1,400 new jobs to the base here. DeWine expressed his full support for the base to win the competition for the new mission.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, said Wednesday at the DDC virtual event that WPAFB and the community are well positioned to compete for the Space Command headquarters. “The Space Force Command represents a tremendous opportunity, not just for the command itself, but for the other commands that go with it,” Turner said.
Turner said Ohio’s biggest competition for the mission will come from Texas and Florida.
Lt. Gen. David Thompson, Vice Commander, US Space Force, said during the DDC event that even if the headquarters goes elsewhere, WPAFB will play an important role in the Space Command. “Everybody operating there (at WPAFB) today will remain and we can only envision a growing role for the base,” Thompsons said.
Thompson said beyond the technical requirements for the selection process, the Air Force is seeking a location with a high “quality of life” factor.
Rep. Turner said no decision is expected in 2020 but one could come next year.
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