27-05-2025
Patrick Space Force Base to add buildings for STARCOM as field command moves from Colorado
A future pair of modular buildings for STARCOM personnel is slated for construction at Patrick Space Force Base in a grassy field west of The Tides Collocated Club, environmental permitting records show.
STARCOM — or Space Training and Readiness Command Headquarters — is in the midst of moving to Patrick from its former home at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.
The field command's geographic shift from Colorado to Florida's Space Coast comes as President Donald Trump is lobbying in favor of the proposed $175 billion "Golden Dome" missile defense system, which would include space-based sensors and interceptors. On May 20, Trump tapped Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein to lead the campaign.
Last month, Space Launch Delta 45 officials applied for St. Johns River Water Management District permitting to install two modular buildings measuring 22,898 square feet and 22,737 square feet for STARCOM, along with a 133-space parking lot and dry stormwater retention area.
This 4.2-acre footprint off West Tech Road lies within a previously developed and demolished area on base. SJRWMD officials issued a stormwater management system permit on May 8.
STARCOM is the Space Force's training hub for warfighting in space, including doctrine, tactics and techniques.
"The decision to host STARCOM HQ and Space Delta 10 at Patrick came after conducting a site survey to assess the base's ability to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capacity, while accounting for community support, environmental factors, and cost. The Department of the Air Force also conducted an environmental impact analysis," a STARCOM spokesperson said in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY.
"Last year, Patrick welcomed its first cohort of STARCOM Guardians, who are currently on the ground, rapidly establishing an initial operating capability for later in 2025," the statement said.
"Over the coming years, STARCOM will steadily transition a force of more than 450 personnel as it completes its move. These personnel consist of a mix of uniformed Guardians and Airmen, federal civilians, and contractors," the statement said.
STARCOM will use existing and temporary buildings in the Patrick area until the permanent facilities are constructed, the statement said.
Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba, who commands STARCOM, delivered the keynote address during Florida Institute of Technology fall commencement ceremonies in December.
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Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@ Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: STARCOM moving from Colorado to Florida amid Trump's 'Golden Dome' push
