Space Florida works to bring U.S. Space Force training operations to Florida

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Space Florida wants the state to be a training site for the newest branch of the armed forces.

That will mean making a case to secure the “Space Training Readiness Command,” or STARCOM.

STARCOM could also lead to more opportunities for Florida.

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Florida wasn’t selected for U.S. Space Command Headquarters, but Space Florida will do all it can to make sure the state lands STARCOM.

“STARCOM is pretty much going to be the headquarters for training and readiness, but there are other components they call deltas that will be a part of that those will be other solicitations as well,” said Dale Ketcham with Space Florida. “We want the big one.”

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Thousands will need to be trained and equipped on an ongoing basis to support the U.S. Space Force. Some of that training is already underway at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

“Our goal as Space Florida and the state of Florida, is to try and make sure we capture as much and as many of those key components as possible that lend themselves to the development of the professionals in Space Force and also so that can be used to leverage more of the commercial space market,” Ketcham said.

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The expectation is that a solicitation for STARCOM will be issued in a matter of weeks.

“There are other states offering a lot of capabilities, a lot of empty buildings, and powerful senators, it’s all part of the game, but I’m pretty sure we’ll come out of this in good shape,” Ketcham said.

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