Gen. Stephen Whiting said in a release that Space Command is "well on our way to breaking ground on our permanent headquarters." Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios
After a leadership event on Redstone Arsenal this week, U.S. Space Command is taking control of its second facility there.
Why it matters: Space Command continues to gain momentum in its move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville as it plans construction of its permanent headquarters.
Zoom in: In an announcement, Space Command says the Leadership Planning Event brought together commanders, directors and other senior leaders "to hear directly from the combatant commander about challenges in the space domain."
The event also featured guest speakers like Dave Limp, Blue Origin CEO, and Austin Dahmer, currently Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of War for Policy.
Site visits to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Space Development Agency also highlighted "the command's ongoing efforts to shift headquarters operations to northern Alabama as fast as mission will allow," per the announcement.
What they're saying: In a video message, Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting said it's the first time the semi-annual event has been held at Redstone.
"This is our second facility here on Redstone, where we are bedding down the 70 U.S. Space Command members who are now working," Whiting said.
Whiting has previously said 200 personnel will be in Huntsville by the year's end.
The bottom line: Ultimately, Spacecom plans to have 1,800 personnel at Redstone, half of whom are expected to be in place by 2028. Its headquarters is expected to be finished in 2031.
