Bennet, Hickenlooper, Polis, Lamborn, Boebert, DeGette, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen, and Caraveo, Celebrate Selection of Schriever Space Force Base as the Final Location of Space[...]

Denver - Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and U.S. Representatives Doug Lamborn, Lauren Boebert, Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Brittany Pettersen, and Yadira Caraveo, celebrated the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force selection of Schriever Space Force Base as the preferred and final location for Space Delta 15(DEL 15).DEL 15 is one of two Space Force Space Deltas working to protect and defend the space Area of Operations by delivering space battle management, intelligence, and cyber capabilities to U.S. Space Forces - Space. It is one of the five Service Components reporting directly to the United States Space Command. Space Delta 15 will be Colorado's 11th Space or Space Base Delta supporting U.S. military and space capabilities. With this basing decision, the Department of the Air Force anticipates final operational capability, with approximately 250 personnel, by the summer of 2027.

"Space Command expanding its operational capacity in Colorado is essential to U.S. national security," said Bennet. "Delta 15 must continue its mission at Schriever Space Force Base to preserve our military readiness and protect our superiority in space from Russia and China's growing hostility. I'm glad to see the continued investment in Colorado's defense infrastructure, which has supported Space Command since it was reestablished in 2019."

"Colorado is the epicenter of our national security operations in space. We're proud of the thriving space ecosystem that makes this leadership possible, including the fully operational Space Command," said Hickenlooper. "Locating Space Force Delta 15 - which leads command and control for U.S. Space Command - in Colorado Springs makes all the sense in the world."

"Colorado is the proud home to a strong military community and the addition of Delta 15 to Schriever Space Force Base makes perfect sense for our national security and our communities," said Polis. "We applaud the Air Force for this decision and look forward to becoming Delta 15's permanent home on top of Space Command and many other critical installations that ensure our nation's safety."

"I am pleased that the Department of the Air Force placed Delta 15 at Schriever Space Force in my home district," said Lamborn. "Colorado will continue to play a vital role in securing our nation's space operations and national security. Delta 15 is one of two Deltas that provide command and control capabilities to Space Forces, Space (S4S), and the Service Component to USSPACECOM. Having Schriever Space Force Base as the preferred location will enable Delta 15 to directly integrate and support the National Space Defense Center (NSDC). A strong NSDC is critical because space situational awareness is more important now than ever."

"With the announcement of Schriever Space Force Base as the preferred location for Delta 15, Colorado continues to prove we are the top state for our nation's space and military forces to continue expanding," said Boebert. "Our state's unique military capabilities will play a vital role in strengthening our ability to protect Americans now and in the coming years. I look forward to working with our entire Colorado delegation to continue these efforts in our state."

"I am glad to see the Department of the Air Force recognize that Colorado is the best location for Space Delta 15," said DeGette. "This selection will help further solidify Colorado as the rightful home for Space Command. I'm proud to work with my colleagues in the Colorado Delegation to support our servicemembers in Space Command and to help make our state the home for Delta 15."

"We're excited that the Secretary of the Air Force has chosen Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs as the permanent location for Space Delta 15," said Neguse. "The Centennial State continues to lead the nation in groundbreaking technology and programs that strengthen national security. And we're incredibly proud to add this achievement to Colorado's growing list of collaborative centers, including U.S. Space Command, the Missile Warning Center, the Joint Overhead Persistent Infrared Center, the National Space Defense Center, and more."

"Colorado is a leader in US space operations," said Crow. "The Air Force's selection of Schriever Space Force Base as the final location for Delta 15 reaffirms our state's vital role in advancing America's space capabilities. This decision will help ensure military readiness and a strong national defense."

"I'm thrilled to see that Schriever Space Force Base has been selected as the final and preferred location for Space Delta 15, a critical addition to Colorado's aerospace community," said Pettersen. "This decision highlights Colorado's unmatched dominance in aerospace and national security. As the incoming administration threatens to move the Space Command headquarters out of our state - jeopardizing our operational readiness - this only reinforces Colorado as the rightful home base for Space Command."

"I'm excited that the Secretary of the Air Force has selected Colorado's Schriever Space Force Base as the preferred location to host Delta 15," said Caraveo. "Colorado plays a vital role in securing our nation's space operations and defense, and the decision to host Delta 15 at Schriever Space reflects our state's unmatched infrastructure, talent, and commitment to supporting the mission of the U.S. Space Force."

Schriever Space Force Base was the only base to meet the necessary strategic basing requirements for permanent location of Space Delta 15.