Illinois Congressmen Urge Air Force to Locate Cyber Command at Scott AFB

February 11, 2009


[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) and 16 other members of the Illinois Congressional delegation today urged the Secretary of the Air Force to locate Cyber Command at Scott Air Force Base. It was recently announced that Scott is one of six bases being considered for Cyber Command, which will serve to coordinate activity regarding cyber threats and would bring an estimated 500 jobs.

The letter to Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley emphasized Scott’s commitment to the “Future Total Force” concept, which focuses on integrating the various services on base, and Scott’s central location in the country as of critical importance to Cyber Command. A technologically-savvy local workforce and great community environment are also important features that Scott offers.

“Scott Air Force Base is a unique global military hub that already employs personnel with the scientific and technical expertise needed to support Cyber Command operations,” said Durbin. “It plays an essential role both in our nation’s defense and in the region’s economy. Locating the Cyber Command at Scott Air Force Base – the largest employer south of Springfield – will create more good paying jobs in the Metro-East area.”

“We have worked very hard for over a decade to help make sure that Scott is prepared to take on more missions and we believe Cyber Command is a perfect fit for the base,” said Costello. “With the assets already in place at Scott, which include Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command and the Air Force Communications Agency, integrating Cyber Command can be done efficiently and the high quality of life the area offers is well regarded by military families.”

“Scott is vital to the economy in southwestern Illinois, the greater St. Louis area, and even into a large area of south central Illinois. Personally and as a Congressional delegation, we want to support every effort to increase the role of Scott in any way possible. The Air Force Cyber Command would fit in perfectly with the other commands already located on base. I fully support this effort to bring 500 new military and civilian jobs to Scott,” stated Shimkus.