Biden decides to keep Space Command headquarters in Colorado Springs

(Patria) - U.S. President Joe Biden has chosen Colorado Springs as the permanent location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters, the U.S. military announced, ending a long-running debate about the potential relocation to the Republican stronghold of Alabama.

The Pentagon said Biden's decision would ensure the command's "readiness" during a critical period, Reuters reported. Experts say keeping the base in Colorado Springs would avoid a lengthy transition period to Huntsville, Alabama, a place favored by former Republican President Donald Trump and known as "Rocket City" for its role in developing space rockets.

"It will also enable the command to most effectively plan, execute, and integrate military space power into multi-domain global operations to deter aggression and defend national interests," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Biden's decision comes as Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama is blocking hundreds of U.S. military appointments in protest of a Pentagon policy that reimburses service members for travel to obtain abortions.

Biden last week criticized Tuberville for preventing many women and people of color from being promoted to higher ranks, some of historical significance.