WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) and Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) sent a letter to United States Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett advocating for Arizona to be selected for the permanent location of the U.S. Space Command headquarters (USSPACECOM) and requesting a meeting to discuss Arizona’s qualifications. Lesko and Sinema were joined by Representatives Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07), Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (R-AZ-04), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-02), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01), David Schweikert (R-AZ-06), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-09) in sending the letter.

“Arizona is the perfect location for the United States Space Command headquarters,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “With our many aerospace and defense contractors, attractive climate, and premier military installations, there are few better positioned locations in the nation.”

“Arizona leads the U.S. in space exploration and innovation. Basing SPACECOM’s headquarters in Arizona, among our world-class universities and military installations, would further strengthen our national security,” said Senator Sinema, co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Space Force Caucus.

The Department of the Air Force announced in May 2020 that USSPACECOM locations would require an AARP index score of 50 or higher, be located 25 miles from a military installation, and in the top 150 metro areas. Many Arizona cities meet these qualifications.

Read the full letter here.

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