Webster and Florida Members Urge Air Force to Select Patrick, Cape Canaveral for Starcom Headquarters

Washington, DC - Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, along with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) and members of the Florida Delegation sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall regarding his forthcoming selection of a permanent location for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). The lawmakers urged Secretary Kendall to select Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

“Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral SFS hold a unique place in America’s history of space flight and exploration,” the lawmakers wrote. “Every crewed mission to space in our nation’s history has launched from Brevard County, Florida. From Apollo, to the Space Shuttle, and the future Artemis missions, Florida has served as our nation’s gateway to the stars. NASA and DoD formed significant bonds with the local community, private industry, and academic institutions for more than half a century.”

Co-signing members include Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Greg Steube (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Byron Donalds (R-FL), John Rutherford (R-FL), Vern Buchanon (R-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), and Ted Deutch (D-FL).

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Secretary Kendall:

We write to urge you to select Patrick Space Force Base (SFB) and Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations (SFS) as the permanent location of the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM).

Florida is the most military friendly state in the Union. Our state proudly hosts three combatant commands, 21 installations, and an effective national guard. Additionally, Florida has a robust defense industry spread throughout the state and is also home to top tier universities with cutting edge research programs with extensive history of working with the Air Force and Department of Defense (DoD). Florida also has the third highest veteran population.

Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral SFS hold a unique place in America’s history of space flight and exploration. Every crewed mission to space in our nation’s history has launched from Brevard County, Florida. From Apollo, to the Space Shuttle, and the future Artemis missions, Florida has served as our nation’s gateway to the stars. NASA and DoD formed significant bonds with the local community, private industry, and academic institutions for more than half a century.

We are grateful for your recognition of the value the State of Florida brings to the Air Force and Space Force in selecting Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral SFS as the sole-candidate to host Space Delta 10. Space Delta 10 will develop USSF doctrine and tactics, and execute wargames for the USSF. This selection will continue the long history of Floridians working hand in hand to advance America’s national security and leadership in space.

We urge you to continue this storied tradition by selecting Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral SFS to host STARCOM. Thank you for your fair and full consideration.

Sincerely,

###