Congressman pitches Louisiana for Trump's Space Force locale

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham is urging President Donald Trump to consider Louisiana for the future headquarters of Trump's proposed Space Force.

The Republican congressman wrote a letter to the president , suggesting Louisiana was an "ideal location" because of its strong existing relationships with the military and NASA.

Abraham, who is running for governor, says Space Force would "fit perfectly" at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. He notes NASA's existing Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has built components for the nation's space program for decades.

Space Force would be the first new military service since 1947. The Pentagon proposes the program would begin in 2020.

Congress first must authorize the new service, making its fate unclear. Critics have questioned the need to create a separate Space Force.