Congress of the United States
Washington, BE 20515
Judy 24,2020
The Honorable John W. Henderson
Assistant Secretary ofthe Air Fore for Insullations, Environment and Energy
1670 Air Force Pentagon
‘Washington, D.C. 20330-1670
Dear Secretary Henderson,
We are writing you to express our strong and unified suppor forthe Mayor of San Antonio and
the Governor of Texas’ nomination to base he headquarters of the newly formed United States
‘Space Command (HQ USSPACECOM) in the City of Sen Antonio,
‘As the home to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), the largest joint base in the Department of|
Defense (DoD), we are confident of Military City USA's ability to support the command’'s
‘operational mission and accompanying staf of 1,400 personnel and ther families. San Antonio
is commited to meeting or exceeding the Air Fee's screening and evaluation extra, and we
assure you that you will not Finda stronger miltary-ity relationship anywhere in the mation
‘San Antonio is one ofthe largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. with a population of
2.6 milion residents that ineludes approximately 75,000 uniformed and civilian personnel
assigned to JBSA, 235,000 military dependents and 270,000 military retirees and veterans, Our
‘community already provides excellent options for housing, schools and other amenities for an
‘unparalleled quality of life for service members and their families.
JBSA also has a robust capability in pace te support service members and their families with
kee services such as military housing. healthcare, childeare, commissary, personnel and lgisies
support In addition, the community has a filly-siaffed Bexar County Military and Veterans
Services Center with an unparalleled business model focused on comprehensive care for
‘veterans. Support begins when service members begin transitioning from the military to civilian
Tie and ends at thei ast sate,
‘The City’s diverse population and exceptional quality ofife would provide HQ USSPACECOM,
‘with a large pool of highly skilled workfores consisting of transitioning military personnel,
veterans, and their spouses. In esponse tothe thee Service Secretaries" request to the nation’s
governors, the City budgeted funding to resource a Military Spouse Fellowship Program in
partnership wit the US. Chamber of Commetee's Hiving Our Heroes Foundation, This
_rogram’s sucess is continuing even in the face ofthe COVID-19 pandemic.
HQ USSPACECOM would also benefit from San Antonio's existing federal eyber and
intelligence infrastructure. San Antonio has the lagest presence of cyber and intelligence
capabilities ouside the National Capital Region ~ capabilities needed to accomplish the
USSPACECOM mission. In addition, the tented Military City USA werkforce includes those
curently working in direct suppor of space researchdevelopment and operationsFinally, the City of San Antonio's leadership and community are committed to supporting this
new mission In recent years, through the State of Texas’ Defense Economic Adjustment
‘Assistance Grant program, JBSA and other repional partners in San Antonio have been awarded
approximately $51 million in funding to support military readiness and add value to military
intllations. This suppor includes the purchase of property o prevent urban eneroachment that
‘would curtail military missions, infastucture and uilities Syppot. Since 2007, the City of San
Antonio ha invested approximately $100 million through bond and non-bond infrastructure
projects supporting JBSA commander readiness priorities inthe areas of wansporttion, drainage,
force protection, and other services.
We urge youto give San Antonio's nomination your full corsidration and thank you for your
leadership and suppor of our service members and tei families.
Wa Yecd? ana At
Menara Congress Marker of Congress
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Had Dag tt
‘cc: Secretary Barbara M. Barret, Department ofthe Air Force
General David L. Goldfein, Chief of Staff, Department ofthe Air Force