US Air Force announces preferred locations for STARCOM HQ, three Deltas

US Air Force announces preferred locations for STARCOM HQ, three Deltas
by Staff Writers
Arlington VA (AFNS) Jun 01, 2023

The Department of the Air Force selected Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, as the preferred location to host the Space Training and Readiness Command Headquarters, along with Space Delta 10. Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the preferred location for Space Delta 11, and Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, is the preferred location for Space Delta 12. STARCOM, one of three U.S. Space Force field commands, is responsible for the deliberate development, education, and training of space professionals in addition to the development of space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures, and the operational test and evaluation of Space Force systems. Space Delta 10, which is responsible for doctrine and wargaming, is expected to also be located at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. This delta develops Space Force doctrine and tactics, conducts the service's Lessons Learned program, and executes and supports wargames to adequately posture space forces and designated joint and allied partners.

Space Delta 11 is expected to be located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, and is responsible for all ranges and aggressors. This delta delivers realistic, threat-informed test and training environments through the provision of live, virtual, and constructive range and combat replication capabilities. Space Delta 12 is expected to be located at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, and is responsible for test and evaluation. This delta prepares space forces to prevail in contested, degraded, and operationally limited environments through the independent test and evaluation of Space Force capabilities and delivery of timely, accurate, and expert information in support of weapon system acquisition, operational acceptance, and readiness decisions. The decision to host STARCOM HQ and the three deltas at their respective bases came after conducting site surveys at each location to assess their ability to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capacity, while accounting for community support, environmental factors, and cost. The Department of the Air Force will now conduct environmental impact analyses at each base, which are expected to be completed later this year before final decisions are made.