Approximately 15 miles away from Patrick Space Force Base in Florida, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is responsible for three launch pads that have served space-based missions including those of SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and NASA as well as DoD missions.
Find information about Cape Canaveral Space Force Station including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
As the old Sun Ra album and film so boldly declared, “space is the place” when it comes to the missions supported by Cape Canaveral. The home of the Air Force Air And Space Museum, this Space Force base operates three launch pads for DoD and commercial space missions. Cape Canaveral has been ramping up the number of space launches over the years, and with the company Blue Origin also partnering with the Space Force base, the launch pads here are likely to stay busy far into the future.
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is headquartered at Patrick Space Force Base in Florida, and mission partners for both entities include, but are not limited to:
- 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS), Detachment 1
- 17th Test Squadron, Detachment 3 (17 TS, Det 3)
- 114th Range Operations Squadron (114 ROPS)
- Florida Air National Guard 333rd Recruiting Squadron (333 RCS)
- 605th Test & Evaluations Squadron, Detachment 2 (Det. 2, 605 TS)
- 920th Rescue Wing, Air Force Reserve Command
- Aerospace Fuels Laboratory Air Combat Command Program Management Squadron
- Air Force Audit Agency (AFAA)
- Air Force Office of Special Investigations
- Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC),
- 25th Air Force
- Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI)
- Defense Logistics Agency Document Services
- Defense Reutilization & Marketing Office (DRMO)
- Department of State INL Air Wing (DOS/AW)
- Joint STARS Test Force
- Military Sealift Command
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU)
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA-ERNST)
- Space and Missile Systems Center
- U.S. Coast Guard Armory
History
In 1947 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station made history–it was selected as the host site for a U.S. Missile Testing Range with the first missile test (of a German rocket) launched in 1950.
That was the same year that nearby Patrick Air Force Base (later to be redesignated as Patrick Space Force Base) began participating in space-based missions. Patrick serves as host for (and admin/operations center to) Cape Canaveral Air Force Station which is now redesignated Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as we’ll explore below.
Cape Canaveral is the site that helped launch Alan Shepard in Freedom 7 in1961 and Gus Grissom in the Liberty Bell 7 the same year. In 1958, more space milestones were made when an Atlas vehicle was launched into orbit broadcasting a message from then-President Eisenhower.
Gemini launches–ten in all–were held between 1965 and 1966. Cape Canaveral history wouldn’t be complete without mention that the facility was the site of the fatal fire that killed astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffe. Following the tragedy, Cape Canaveral would launch the first group of Apollo space missions.
Patrick Air Force Base still plays a crucial role supporting Cape Canaveral in the American space program; the 45th Space Wing is responsible for maintaining the impressive 15-million-square-mile Eastern Range from launch sites at Cape Canaveral Air Station and a network of “downrange instrumentation” associated with the space program.
On December 20, 2019, the Department of Defense established the newest branch of the military, United States Space Force (USSF). Created via the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, USSF was created within the Department of the Air Force and is operated under the auspices of the Secretary of the Air Force.
In the same month, Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station were both redesignated (in name only) as Space Force installations, and Cape Canaveral became known as Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Contacts
Main Address And Telephone Numbers
842 Falcon Avenue (via Patrick SFB)
Bldg 722
Patrick AFB, FL 32925-3439
- 321-494-5676
- 312-854-5675
Important Contact Numbers
- Barracks Single Service Member Housing (321) 494-3647
- Base Operator (321) 494-1110
- Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinators (321) 494-8459
- Emergency 911
- Emergency Relief Services (321) 494-5675
- Hospital Medical Treatment Facility (321) 494-8241
- ID CAC Card Processing (321) 494-4252
- Information and Referral Services (321) 494-5675
- Legal Services JAG (321) 494-7357
- Personnel Support Office (321) 494-4252
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- VA Facilities (321) 637-3788
- Welcome Visitors Center(321) 494-5428
Surrounding Area
Cape Canaveral is known for its space launches and that is one of the big attractions in the area. But the rest of the state of Florida is known for outdoors adventure including fishing and diving tours. There are also scenic helicopter tours by companies like Cocoa Beach Helicopters.
Those who love space tourism will definitely want to check out the Kennedy Space Center, the Air Force Air And Space Museum, and related facilities. But it’s not all about exploration among the stars; nearby Tampa, Florida is roughly two hours away and is loaded with sports–the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, plus minor league teams.
There are family-friendly theme parks such as Busch Gardens and enjoy local boat and fishing tours. Orlando, Florida and Disney World are a very reasonable drive from the base.
Inprocessing and Check-In
All PCSing and TDY troops coming to Cape Canaveral SFS are directed to check in first with their gaining commands and receive further instructions for in-processing then. You will require a sponsor for certain arrangements; if you have not been assigned a sponsor contact your gaining command support staff and request one.
Health Care
Those assigned to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will use either the healthcare options provided at Patrick AFB (see below) or use their TRICARE network options instead. Patrick Air Force Base, about 15 minutes away from Cape Canaveral, has no emergency services but does offer basic outpatient care. Clinics and services there include, but are not limited to:
- Primary Care Clinic
- Family Practice Clinic
- Flight Medicine Clinic
- Pediatric Clinic
- Internal Medicine
- Optometry
- Women’s Health Clinic
- Physical Therapy
- Orthopedic Clinic
- Pharmacy
- Radiology
- Laboratory
- Immunizations
Call the clinic at 321-494-8241 for appointments.
Child Care
Families in need of childcare while serving at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station should contact the Patrick Air Force Base Child Development Center as soon as orders are available for PCS to the area. The Child Development Center provides care for children ages six weeks to five years of age. To pre-register and learn more about current waitlist times, fill out DD Form 2606 and submit it to the Patrick AFB CDC via fax at DSN 321-494-5848, before arrival.
You may also have childcare options via Family Child Care (FCC) options offered in certified private military housing. This is available for children ages two weeks to 12 years. Call 321-494-7028 for FCC options.
Household Goods
Those PCSing to Patrick Air Force Base are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can also get local assistance from Patrick AFB TMO–call 321-494-4964.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
ID card services are handled by the Patrick AFB Military Personnel Flight–be prepared to make advance appointments as walk-ins are subject to very long waiting times. Make an appointment via the RAPIDS online scheduler.
For service, all are required to provide two unexpired forms of approved ID (these may be subject to REAL ID Act requirements). The sponsor’s presence is required unless you have a power of attorney or other approved form (ask first) granting permission to obtain ID cards or make DEERS changes on behalf of the sponsor.
Schools
There are no DoD schools in the area. Those who live in Patrick Space Force Base housing will likely send their school-age children to Brevard County Schools. Bus transportation is provided by the Brevard County School District when schools are further than two miles away. Those who need assistance with transfer requirement information should contact the Patrick Space Force Base School Liaison Office at 321-494-1991. Basic transfer requirements for area schools includes immunizations including but not necessarily limited to:
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Tetanus
- Polio Vaccine
- MMR
- Hepatitis B
You will also need to hand-carry or submit electronically the following:
- A certificate of immunization or its equivalent from a physician, health department official, or previous school record
- A certificate of exemption (temporary medical)
- A certificate of exemption (permanent medical)
- A certificate of exemption from immunization on religious grounds
Housing
Housing is privatized and operated by Hunt Military Communities. Contact Hunt prior to entering into legally binding agreements for housing. Before you make your PCS move to the area, explore their housing options in the area via the Air Force Housing website. Call (888) 678-4589 to speak to the Hunt Military Communities office for more details, especially if you are a single or unaccompanied service member.
PCS and TDY Lodging
The Space Coast Inn provides temporary lodging for Cape Canaveral and Patrick Space Force Base. Supporting these two activities, plus PCS and TDY seasons make room at the Inn scarce; new arrivals have priority but you must book your reservations as early as possible for best results. There are certain caveats. March 1 to Sept. 30 each year is a season where only one TLF unit per family or traveler is permitted. Pet facilities may be limited or not available. Ask in advance. Call for reservations: 321-494-6591.
Cape Canaveral and Patrick Space Force Base are accessible from two Florida airports; Melbourne International and Orlando International. Rush hour in the area can be a major issue so it is strongly encouraged that all inbound troops contact their sponsors for advice on dealing with arrival times and how to get from the airport to TLF, check-in, etc.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Car insurance costs in the state of Florida law take some newcomers by surprise. Build in some extra room in your budget for this. Florida state law says privately owned vehicles (POVs) in Florida for more than 90 days must carry personal injury protection and property damage liability insurance coverage.
Operating a privately owned vehicle on Patrick or Cape Canaveral requires a current, valid military ID, state registration, current driver’s license, and any decals or stickers required at entry time. Out-of-state service members bringing a vehicle to Florida may be required to register their POV depending on size and whether it is deemed to be used for business purposes or not.