Lesko, Gosar pushing for Peoria to become Space Force headquarters
Jul 2, 2020, 12:00 PM | Updated: 6:19 pm
A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket, with a global positioning satellite for the U.S. Space Force, lifts off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, June 30, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
PHOENIX — Two Arizona Republicans are pushing for a West Valley city to be selected as the headquarters of the U.S. Space Force Command.
Reps. Debbie Lesko and Paul Gosar sent a letter Thursday to Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett advocating for Peoria to become the central hub for the Space Force.
“My hometown of Peoria, Arizona, located in the heart of my congressional district, would be the perfect location for the headquarters of the United States Space Force Command,” Lesko said.
Lesko and Gosar believe Peoria would be an ideal location since it meets all the necessary requirements to become Space Force’s hub.
The Air Force said in May that potential Space Force headquarters 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.
Gov. Doug Ducey and Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat are both supporters of Peoria as a potential headquarters for the Space Force, according to a press release from Lesko.
“Arizona has been at the forefront of the United States’ development and superiority of air and space,” Gosar said. “As our country prepares for the next challenge, it only makes sense that Space Force leverage our existing infrastructure and patriotism for its permanent headquarters.”
