COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio has prided itself for years as being the 'Birthplace of Aviation' as well as the home state of astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Glenn.
Now, Gov. Mike DeWine is hoping to turn that past into an exciting future for Ohio.
On Tuesday, DeWine endorsed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) and the surrounding Dayton region as the ideal location for the new United States Space Command headquarters.
"Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Dayton region would be excellent hosts for the U.S. Space Command's new headquarters," said DeWine in a statement. "This area is already home to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and Air Force Material Command. It's a powerful combination and a synergy that you can't find anywhere else."
In a letter sent to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, DeWine endorsed the nomination submitted by Beavercreek Mayor Bob Stone. A letter signed by 22 area mayors and four county commission presidents was also submitted expressing mutual support for the Dayton region to be considered for the permanent U.S. Space Command headquarters.
The Department of the Air Force, in coordination with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, announced in May that it would accept nominations for the headquarters' location based on specific criteria.
If selected, the new headquarters could bring up to 1,400 personnel to Ohio.