Patrick Space Force Base, located on a barrier island along the Atlantic Ocean in Brevard County, Florida, is the headquarters of Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45) and the premier installation for ensuring assured access to space for the nation. Situated between Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach, Patrick SFB provides vital installation support for its primary mission partner, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), located just to the north. Together, they form the Eastern Range, the busiest and most capable spaceport in the world.

The host unit, Space Launch Delta 45, is the heart of the space launch mission. Its personnel are responsible for a wide array of critical support functions, including range instrumentation, launch safety, weather forecasting, security, and infrastructure for every launch from Cape Canaveral. SLD 45 supports a diverse manifest of DoD, civil (NASA), and commercial partners, including SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA), playing a direct role in nearly every rocket that thunders into orbit from Florida’s Space Coast.

Patrick SFB is also home to several key tenant units. The Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing is a critical partner, providing personnel recovery capabilities with its HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and HC-130J Combat King II aircraft. The 920th not only trains for worldwide combat rescue missions but also provides safety and security overwatch for all crewed space launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. Other tenants include the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) and various other service components.

Guardians, Airmen, and their families stationed at Patrick SFB experience a unique lifestyle defined by the dynamic space launch mission and the coastal environment of Florida. The base is deeply integrated with the surrounding Brevard County community, which has a rich history tied to America’s space program. The constant rhythm of rocket launches provides a powerful and inspiring backdrop to daily life at this forward-looking installation.