U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) will assume the chairmanship of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee when the 113th U.S. Congress convenes in January, according to a Dec. 13 announcement by Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Calif.), who chairs the full committee.

Rogers replaces Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), who is moving over to the House Armed Services tactical air and land forces subcommittee, the announcement said.

The strategic forces subcommittee plays a key role in setting policy and overall funding levels for U.S. military space and missile defense activities. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has a huge presence in Alabama, mostly in the Huntsville area, which also is home to U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Redstone Arsenal.