Patrick Air Force Base

The search began in 1946 for a location to conduct long-range missile tests. Cape Canaveral was chosen in part due to a nearby deactivated military base that could support a long-range proving ground for test firing missiles. The base, originally known as Banana River Naval Air Station, was eventually renamed Patrick Air Force Base in honor of a distinguished Army general. Today, Patrick is part of Air Force Space Command, and it is operated by the 45th Space Wing that also oversees launch facil