Statement on Selection of Florida as U.S. Space Force STARCOM HQ

Florida's Patrick Space Force Base is selected as the headquarters for the U.S. Space Force Space Training and Readiness CommandFlorida’s Patrick Space Force Base has been selected as the home for the U.S. Space Force Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) headquarters. Today’s announcement further solidifies Florida’s dominance as the most military-friendly state and position as America’s hub for military and private space operations. Below is a statement from Frank DiBello, president and CEO of Space Florida.

“This decision by the U.S. Air Force reflects the strategic importance of Florida in advancing national security and defense in space. Bringing STARCOM’s headquarters to Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is a significant milestone in Florida’s history and reaffirms our critical role in advancing the nation’s space and military capabilities. I want to thank USSF General Stephen Purdy for his commitment to helping build a space military operations hub in Florida.

“STARCOM exists to prepare combat-ready forces to fight and win in a contested, degraded, and operationally limited space domain. Through the deliberate development, education, and training of space professionals; through the development of space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures; and the test and evaluation of USSF capabilities.“

Florida is already home to the most active and best staffed launch site, with a strong space operations culture. And home to a world recognized capital of Simulation, Modeling and Digital Domain and Gaming technologies. Both critical elements in the training and preparation of the nation’s next generation of Guardians. This is a recognition of Florida as forward-thinking, innovative environment, with a strong commercial space industry based here, rapidly developing, and adapting new space technologies and operations thinking. We are the ideal culture and environment for training the next generation of Space Force Guardians.”

‍STARCOM will prepare combat-ready U.S. Space Force (USSF) Guardians to fight and win in a contested, degraded, and operationally limited environment through the deliberate development, education, and training of space professionals; development of space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures; and the test and evaluation of USSF capabilities.

Space Florida worked in partnership with Florida Defense Support Task Force, Enterprise Florida, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida High Tech Corridor, Florida Institute of Technology, National Center for Simulation, Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation, University of Central Florida, and many other state and local entities on the campaign to bring STARCOM headquarters to Florida.

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Space Florida Media Contact
‍Anna Farrar
afarrar@spaceflorida.gov
954.647.7059