Space


Patrick AFB, FL

Patrick Air Force Base is the world's premier gateway to space and home of the 45th Space Wing, which is steeped in a rich history while also on the cutting edge of state-of-the-art space technology.

In the spring of 1950, the Defense Department announced the redelegation of guided missile test centers from joint service commands to separate branches of the military service. As a result of that decision, the Air Force Division, Joint Long Range Proving Ground was redesignated the Long Range Proving Ground Division on 16 May 1950. The Long Range Proving Ground Division replaced the JLRPG Command, and it gained jurisdiction over the launching area at Cape Canaveral and the Bahama downrange facilities. The Long Range Proving Ground Division was given major air command status, and, as such, it reported directly to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Its mission was to establish, operate and maintain the Long Range Proving Ground.

On 17 May 1950, the base was enamed the Long Range Proving Ground Base, but that designation lasted less than three months. Effective 1 August 1950, the base was renamed Patrick Air Force Base, in honor of Major General Mason M. Patrick. General Patrick had been Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Services in World War I and Chief of the Air Service/U.S. Army Air Corps from October 1921 until his retirement on 13 December 1927. The official dedication ceremony for the newly named base was held on 26 August 1950.

The mission of Patrick Air Force Base is to provide combat capabilities through Eastern Range, launch, and expeditionary operations.

Patrick Air Force Base has five core competencies:

  1. Eastern Range Operations: Provide the activities and resources for safety of flight, range instrumentation, infrastructure, and scheduling required to support and assure space and ballistic launches, and other operations.
  2. Space Launch Operations Support: Provide reliable launch infrastructure, launch teams, and seamless partnership with launch and satellite program offices.
  3. Expeditionary Readiness: Provide deployment-ready people, equipment, and processes to support wartime and contingency taskings.
  4. Base and People Support: Provide base infrastructure, health care services, security, information systems, morale/ welfare activities, workforce and public safety, human resources, financial services, threat response, and environmental stewardship to support present and future missions.
  5. Institutionalize START:Incorporate the precepts of START (Synchronize Actions, Trust People, All Accountable, Recognize Achievement, Tenacious Execution).

In addition, Patrick Air Force Base has four main goals:

  • Provide quality Eastern Range Operations - By modernizing and maintaining range systems.
  • Provide reliable, expert, cost-effective launch operations and program support.
  • Assure Expeditionary Readiness.
  • Provide Base Support services that ensure quality living and working conditions for people.

Patrick AFB is nestled between the white sand shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River, south of Cocoa Beach and north of Satellite Beach. Cape Canaveral AFS is situated just north of Port Canaveral, with the Banana River to the west and the Atlantic to the east.

Patrick AFB has two gates; the Main Gate is open 24 hours and is located on Highway A1A, and the South Gate is located on South Patrick Drive and is accessible from Pineda Causeway. Pass & Registration is located at the Main Gate, but visitor passes are available at both gates.