Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent information to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force William Anderson today identifying the many reasons for establishing the new Air Force Cyber Command at Beale Air Force Base in Yuba City. The Air Force is currently considering various locations across the country.
"California's private sector and major universities are at the forefront of cyber research and technology," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This wealth of intellectual capital is found nowhere else in the world and Beale Air Force Base already has the capacity to be the headquarters for Air Force Cyber Command. With its unequaled bandwidth and close proximity to Silicon Valley - it is clear that no where else can provide this level of support for the Air Force."
An information packet was sent in response to a request from Secretary Anderson to provide input on the basing decision for Air Force Cyber Command.
Below is full text of the letter sent to Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force William Anderson:
Mr. William Anderson
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics
1665 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1665
Dear Mr. Anderson,
On behalf of the State of California, I am pleased to present our input on the initial basing considerations for the headquarters of Air Force Cyber Command at Beale Air Force Base.
California must fulfill a crucial and irreplaceable role if Air Force Cyber Command is to be successful. The Golden State's private sector and major universities are at the forefront of cyber research and technology. This wealth of intellectual capital, found nowhere else in the world, is essential for the U.S. Air Force to preserve and defend access to cyberspace. Basing Air Force Cyber Command in California at Beale would provide an unmatched link between the Air Force and the network of civilian, military, private and government resources.
If Beale Air Force Base is selected as one of the four final locations to stand up Air Force Cyber Command, I extend to you my personal commitment to bring together the leaders of private industry, including technology and aerospace companies, venture capitalists, research laboratories, academia and elected officials. This group will leverage its wealth of resources for the Air Force to succeed in this important and timely mission.
In addition, the base itself already has the capacity to be the headquarters for Air Force Cyber Command. It has the greatest bandwidth capability and connectivity of any installation in the Air Force, a secure and encroachment-free environment, ample buildings and open space and access to air, road and rail transportation.
Locating Air Force Cyber Command at Beale already has the support of all 55 members of the California congressional delegation, multiple university systems, various private industries, the Silicon Valley Leadership Council, the California Space Authority and the cities and counties that surround the base. Partners in academia, industry and government from throughout the state continue to offer their assistance and resources to this important endeavor.
I am confident the information provided here for this data call will demonstrate that the Golden State, and Beale specifically, is the ideal home of the headquarters for Air Force Cyber Command. Please do not hesitate to call Cynthia Bryant, my Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of my Office of Planning and Research, at (916) 322-2318 to discuss this important endeavor.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
