The Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) is looking for a new home, and six bases are being considered for its home. All five of the locations currently designated as Space Force bases are in the running (Buckley (CO), Peterson (CO), Schriever (CO); Patrick (FL), and Vandenberg (CA)), along with Los Angeles Air Force Base which is set to be named Los Angeles Space Force Base. Site surveys will begin in late April or early May. Assessments will be based on “mission, infrastructure capacity, community support, environmental considerations, and cost.”
History of STARCOM
STARCOM was the last of the three-field commands activated by the U.S. Space Force, but the history of this command goes as far back as 1993. Then it was known as U.S. Air Force Space Warfare Center under Air Force Space Command. It has gone through other names including Space Warfare Center (1994) and Space Innovation and Development Center (2013). The Space Operation Command began preparing the groundwork for STARCOM in the summer of 2020. And it was activated on August 23, 2021.
STARCOM’s mission is made up of five goals. They are to build the USSF training enterprise, develop a domain-focused education enterprise, develop space doctrine and tactics, build the test and range infrastructure, and develop and reinforce Space for culture.
STARCOM will meet its mission with the support of five deltas that were activated after the activation of STARCOM. Delta 1 is focused on Space Training, permanently located at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Delta 10 is focused on Space doctrine and wargaming currently being considered to be located at Patrick Space Force base “because of its proximity to a Department of Defense modeling and simulation capability with resident space expertise,” according to DAF. Delta 10 is temporarily located at the Air Force Academy. Delta 11 focuses on Space range and aggressor, while Delta 12 is focused on Space test and evaluation. Delta 11 and 12 both have two recommended locations: Schriever Space Force Base and Kirtland Air Force Base. Both these locations “offer existing range infrastructure that supports test, training, and exercise activities close distance to the range and aggressor stakeholders.” Delta 11 is currently at Schriever, and Delta 12 is at Peterson. Delta 13 is focused on education. It is located at Maxwell Air Force Base, and there currently isn’t a projected home yet. Once the Space Force establishes its curriculum and structure, work on finding a permanent home will take place.
Col Nick Hague, Director of Test and Evaluation, Headquarters USSF wrapped up STARCOM nicely by saying, “USSF is taking a bold step with the standup of STARCOM by implementing a service-wide integrated test philosophy and bridging the gap between acquisition and operational communities to field resilient space capabilities at speed. Within STARCOM, Space Force will develop the talent, test infrastructure, and test culture that will help secure our nation’s interest in the space domain.”
Finding Jobs to Support STARCOM
Finding a job with Space Force may feel like it has a cool factor to it, but when it comes down to it, it’s all about finding what matches your current skillsets with the branch’s needs. Looking at each of the deltas and their locations will help drive how you can support STARCOM. So, if you have a background in training or modeling and simulation, start looking for listings with contractors in those areas that get your foot in the door on base. And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to network – could be the differentiating factor.
