Space Command moves into first Redstone building
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Gen. Stephen Whiting said, "Nobody's had any doubt that we're moving forward." Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios
U.S. Space Command cut the ribbon Wednesday on the first brick-and-mortar component of its new headquarters in Huntsville.
Why it matters: The ceremony marks a milestone for Space Command's move: an established headquarters for its intelligence operations.
What they're saying: "This facility represents a critical step forward for us," said Gen. Stephen Whiting, SPACECOM commander.
- "This is where we plant our flag for the first operational element ... the Joint Intelligence Support Element," he said.
- JISE, the command's intelligence arm, will have 80 personnel in the building by the end of the year, Whiting said, and total SPACECOM personnel will reach 200 by that time.
The latest: Whiting said that in June, the command's semi-annual leadership conference will come to Redstone for the first time.
- Speaking to press after cutting the ribbon, Whiting said 60% of SPACECOM staff is civilian, and "we've been in the process of helping to educate them about the opportunities here in North Alabama."
- To that end, they're planning town halls in June in Colorado, he said, adding, "We hope to bring as many of them with us as we possibly can."
Catch up quick: President Trump announced the move from Colorado Springs last September, kicking off a process that's been challenged by a Colorado lawsuit and criticism about whether the move would disrupt the command's combat readiness.
- "We have seen no degradation in our readiness," Whiting said, noting the "incredible integration of space into joint operations" like Epic Fury in Iran and Absolute Resolve in Venezuela.
- "As I've told my bosses, that's my job: to ensure that we do not, in any way, affect our ability to execute our vital missions," he said.
The bottom line: Ultimately, SPACECOM plans to have a staff of 1,800 in Huntsville, Whiting said Wednesday, as plans for its permanent headquarters are moving toward a 2031 completion date.