Gov. Rick Scott declared Florida uniquely prepared to handle national security both domestically and abroad, following the release of a report on the status of military bases in the state.
The Florida Defense Support Task Force, headed by Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, released findings Tuesday from a $1.48 million study that evaluated the military installations, ranges and airspace within Florida and outlined short- and long-range goals to make Florida more military friendly.
Among the recommendations: providing incentives for defense missions to remain or relocate to Florida; preventing exploration and drilling that could limit military use of the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex; linking bases in Florida with Space Florida for unmanned aerial vehicle testing and training; and supporting basing an F-35 joint strike fighter at Jacksonville Air National Guard and basing new KC 46 refueling tankers at MacDill Air Force Base.
The strategic plan provided a comprehensive overview of the strengths of Floridas military missions and installations so that we remain forward-looking and proactive in our mission to protect our troops and citizens, Scott stated in a release.
In response to this report, we are outlining an aggressive advocacy and action plan to ensure that Floridas needs and our nations needs are met to address the issues facing America at home and around the world.
The task force was created in November 2011 to help the state ward off any base realignments or closures.
The task force has contracted The Principi Group to lobby on behalf the state at the federal level, while having the Florida Legislature work with the congressional delegation and local defense communities, Workman noted in a letter to Scott.
The intent is to work collaboratively with all interested parties to ensure that Florida cements its position as the most military-friendly state in the nation, Workman noted.
Scroll down for a list of short- and long-term recommendations.
Short-Term Strategic Goals
Implement an aggressive advocacy and action plan based on the recommendations in the Spectrum Group analysis. Plan will pursue installation specific strategic goals at national and state levels as shown below.
National Level
(Alphabetical Order by Installation):
Avon Park Range
Champion certification of the main runway.
Pursue increased missions.
Expand use to additional range customers.
Corry Station
Attract more federal cyber entities that would act as force multipliers and could benefit from co-location with current Corry Station activities.
Eglin Air Force Base
Maintain Air Force weapon research, development, test and evaluation synergies and functions.
Federal legislation to manage/control structures being built in the coastal waters.
Acquire more compatible missions and aircraft to fully utilize the capacity/potential at Eglin.
Homestead Air Reserve Base
Improve by installation of fueling hydrant system and preventing encroachment.
Hurlburt Field
Resolve pavement condition issues, especially the asphalt portion of Taxiway G and a portion of the C-130 transport aircraft apron.
Jacksonville Air National Guard Base
Establish an Active-Associate unit at the Jacksonville Air Guard Base.
Build a new Base fire station.
Support F-35 joint strike fighter basing at this site. MacDill Air Force Base
Advocate for basing of new KC 46 refueling tankers.
Advocate for infrastructure improvements. Marine Corps Support Facility.
Blount Island
Acquire an additional berth with a gantry crane to enhance use as a shipping point for Marine Corps/Army equipment overseas.
Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Increase awareness by Naval Aviation leadership of the importance and efficiencies of the Fleet Readiness Center, Jacksonville.
Naval Air Station Key West
Improve the outreach effort regarding Naval Air Station Key Wests important security role and unique capabilities.
Naval Station Mayport
Pursue expedited home porting of the Amphibious Ready Group at Naval Station Mayport.
Continue to advocate for nuclear aircraft carrier home port.
Seek U.S. Coast Guard ship basing.
Naval Support Activity Panama City
Assist local defense community in securing funds to ensure permanent control of an 8-acre tract acquired to prevent future encroachment, enhance security and provide for mission expansion.
Patrick Air Force Base
Pursue programs to develop sites suitable for mission expansion.
Saufley Field
Advocate for funding to implement Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) plan. (Note: U.S. Navy recently canceled this EUL initiative.)
Team Orlando
Retain Team Orlando.
Assist with additional office space requirements.
Tyndall Air Force Base
Advocate for Tyndalls tenant commands including the Air and Space Operations Center.
Advocate for increased missions/aircraft.
Prevent potential encroachment in the Gulf Range Complex.
State Level
(Alphabetical Order by Installation):
Camp Blanding Joint Training Center
Obtain interoperable cellular coverage for maneuver and outlying areas and acquire additional simulation devices to mitigate range conflicts.
Prioritize construction of additional training unit facilities.
Develop separate marketing/information campaigns to:
Encourage transfer or standup of remotely piloted vehicle training.
Encourage transfer or standup of emergency operations center training.
Encourage transfer or standup of all-service combat skills weather training.
Encourage transfer or standup of all-service water survival training.
Encourage transfer or standup of military vehicle overhaul or recapitalization. Eglin Air Force Base
Support road improvements to facilitate ingress/egress.
-- Prevent encroachment that could impact the Gulf Range Complex east of the Military Mission Line. Hurlburt Field -- Support proposed West Gate construction and off-base auxiliary roads.
Jacksonville Air National Guard Base
Support facility improvements and taxiway upgrades.
MacDill Air Force Base
Support the purchase of a parcel of land immediately adjacent to MacDill Air Force Base to prevent future encroachment issues.
Support widening of Dale Mabry Boulevard from main gate to enjoin Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Establish a system to enhance air space management in Northwest Florida with guidance aimed at future growth in flight activity.
Consider development of a more structured and robust cooperative mechanism involving the hospital, the Veterans Administration facility, and the three local
hospitals, with a focus on disaster response.
Seek new initiatives for shared functions (commercial, medical, recreation, etc.) with the communities and state through mechanisms such as enhanced-use
leasing.
Naval Air Station Whiting Field
Continue efforts to buffer training airfields from encroachment, especially at the outlying fields.
Naval Support Activity Panama City
Protect Navy ranges used for research, development, test, evaluation and training.
Advocate for continued Navy emphasis on mine and littoral warfare and Littoral Combat Ship development.
Complete implementation of the Joint Land Use Study and adjacent land acquisition project to ensure merging commercial and military activities can each
meet their objectives.
Overall Long-Term Strategic Goals for All Military Installations
1. Promote Florida as a trusted, defense-friendly partner, advocating solutions of mutual benefit to the Department of Defense and Florida communities.
2. Promote and grow Florida military missions and installations
Continue to identify areas where the states presence and actions have sustainable impacts on Floridas military installations and missions including, but not
limited to:
Providing support and incentives for defense missions to remain or relocate to Florida.
Increase existing missions and adding compatible missions that fit with the capacity and infrastructure of the installation.
Prevent exploration, drilling and other activities that could limit military use of the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex.
Lowering installations costs of doing business.
Expand ranges and bases in Florida in cooperation with Space Florida for Department of Defense Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) testing and training.
Preventing and mitigating encroachment affecting installations, ranges and flight corridors.
Transportation access.
Department of Defense renewable energy goals.
Environmental issues.
Improvement of education programs in public schools.
Complete implementation of the Joint Land Use Studies at all Florida military installations that have conducted them.
-- Strengthen and enhance quality of life of our military families/retirees statewide and within local communities.
Continue to champion Floridas support to our wounded and veterans.
Continue to strengthen state support for military families and veterans with a focus on education, health care, employment and family programs.
Continue to strengthen defense-related working relationships with the following state agencies:
The Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Department of Economic Opportunity.
The Department of Environmental Protection.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Energy Office.
The Department of Military Affairs.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
The Department of Education.
Workforce Florida.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
