Florida’s Patrick Air Force Base has been selected as a finalist to become the home of the U.S. Space Command Headquarters.
The base, located in Brevard County, is among the final six potential locations for the U.S. Space Command headquarters and operating home of the U.S. Space Force. Other finalists in the running include Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama; Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska; Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Joint Base San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.
The Space Force, a new branch of the armed forces created in December 2019 by President Donald Trump, was designed to protect the interests of the United States in space and help manage military satellite and radar operations. It’s the first new service since the U.S. Air Force came into being in 1947.
U.S. Representative Michael Waltz, a longtime proponent of the formation of the Space Force since the beginning of his time in Congress, commended the Air Force’s decision on Thursday.
“I’m thrilled Patrick Air Force Base has made the final cut to become the headquarters for our U.S. Space Command,” the Florida congressman said. “For decades, Florida has been home to American space launch and at the forefront of space innovation and exploration. Without a doubt, there is no better place for our new Space Command headquarters than Florida’s Space Coast.
“Making the successful pitch to house the U.S. Space Command has been a statewide team effort. From Gov. DeSantis, Lt. Gov. Nuñez, Space Florida, as well as our entire congressional delegation, each of us understands the importance of space to the Sunshine State,” said Waltz. “Secretary Barrett and President Trump’s administration also deserve credit for a transparent and trustworthy site selection process that was broken when she took over.”
BREAKING: Patrick Air Force Base is a finalist in the competition for our Space Command headquarters!
⁰Florida has been at the forefront of space innovation and exploration for decades and is the perfect place for @SpaceForceDoD‘s new home.— Rep. Michael Waltz (@RepMichaelWaltz) November 19, 2020
Space Command is currently headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado until the U.S. Air Force establishes a permanent base. It’ll take up to six years to build the new facilities.
Air Force officials will be touring the six locations and expect to make a decision in early 2021.