Press Release - Cyber Command Center
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008
Contact:
Laura K. Chapin, 303.866.6386
GOVERNOR RITTER URGES AIR FORCE TO CHOOSE COLORADO FOR CYBER COMMAND CENTER
As the selection process continues, Governor Bill Ritter is urging the Air Force to pick Colorado Springs as the home for its national Cyber Command Center. On Monday, Gov. Ritter received a response to his request last fall that the Air Force seriously consider Colorado as a permanent site for the center.
"Since the Air Force Academy, United States Northern Command, and Air Force Space Command are all located here in Colorado, it would make sense for the Air Force Cyber Command to join them in a unified national security center," said Gov. Ritter. "I believe Colorado offers a wealth of intellectual capital and an innovative spirit that makes our state uniquely qualified to host such a critical operation."
Gov. Ritter initially sent a letter supporting the Colorado Springs location to US Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynn in Nov. 2007, pointing out that "...this synergy would provide a strong foundation for critical intelligence sharing, and augment operational capabilities in order to enhance our defenses against a cyber attack on our homeland."
In the response received on Monday, Air Force Assistant Secretary (Installations, Environment, and Logistics) William C. Anderson told Gov. Ritter, "We appreciate the strong support you, your great state, and the communities surrounding our bases provide our Airmen and I look forward to working with you as we standup Air Force Cyber Command and further strengthen our ability to provide the nation Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power."
The center is currently housed at an interim location at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana. The Air Force is examining sites in 18 other states, including Colorado. A final decision and announcement are targeted for September 2009.
Attachments:
1. Gov. Ritter Letter to the Air Force (Nov. 2007)