Gov. Seeks Cyber Command For WPAFB

New Unit Would Bring Additonal Jobs

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base would be the new home of the Air Force’s newest major command unit if Gov. Ted Strickland gets his way.

Strickland Thursday told the Air Force that WPAFB would be “an ideal host location” for its new Cyber Command headquarters.

In a written statement, Strickland aid he was one of 18 governors invited by the Air Force to make a proposal.

“No state is better prepared than Ohio to host the activities of Air Force Cyber Command and no Air Force base provides more synergistic benefits than Wright-Patterson,” Strickland said.

According to Strickland, the pitch for the new unit was to be based on operational synergies with other cyber-related activities, proximity to technology corridors, power supply, security, high-speed bandwidth capability and others.

A letter from Strickland was also signed by Ohio’s two US Senators and all 18 members of the Ohio Congressional delegation.

The Air Force is expected to reach a preliminary decision on locating the new command unit by November.

The unit would bring as many as 450 new jobs to the base, along with additional contractor jobs later.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com