State group addresses military readiness and quality of life

Diana Gonzales, chairperson of the FDA, said, "Throughout the year, I work with FDA staff on issues regarding our defense community throughout Florida. In addition to chairing the FDA, I also represent the Miami-Dade defense community that interacts with local economic development organizations.

"This is my first visit to NAS Jacksonville. I know that a good number of our members are involved in some way with NAS Jacksonville. It's a large base, with a diversity of tenant commands, and its proximity to Naval Station Mayport and other installations really impacts the Northeast Florida community," concluded Gonzales.

Capt. Bill Reuter, executive officer of Naval Support Activity Orlando, which is home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, presented the status of military issues in the Central Florida community. Photo by Clark Pierce

NAS Jax Cmdr. Carol Schrader greeted the group. "On behalf of our commanding officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr., who is traveling this week, welcome to the third-largest naval air station in United States. As you may already know, our base leadership maintains a strong partnership with the FDA, as well as land-use agencies in Duval, Putnam, Marion, Lake and Volusia counties. We also work with non-profit land trusts like The Nature Conservancy to protect our airfields against encroachment by incompatible development."

The group's agenda included a veterans legislative update, Enterprise Florida Defense Impact Briefing, community reports from the five FDA regions, family support initiatives and growth management issues. NAS Jacksonville Environmental Director Kevin Gartland chairs the FDA Growth Management Working Group. "Encroachment protection is a major issue with airports and military installations across America. What NAS Jacksonville has accomplished in partnership with local government and regulatory agencies is now being used as a model by the Florida Building Commission to add more prescriptive noise abatement guidelines to state building codes. We live and work in our communities like everybody else, so we have a stake in proactively resolving encroachment issues, too," Gartland stated.

NAS Jax Environmental Director Kevin Gartland briefed attendees on actions of the Florida Defense Alliance Growth Management Committee. Photo by Clark Pierce

"FDA members seemed very impressed by our base's location on the St. Johns River, our large amount of green spaces, and our construction of energy efficient, environmentally friendly facilities and family housing. We put our best foot forward and I think FDA members will leave with a highly positive impression of NAS Jacksonville," he concluded. A highlight of the two-day gathering occurred May 28 when Executive FDA Director Warren McPherson introduced U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), who briefed the group on national defense issues being debated in Washington D.C.

"Florida is uniquely situated to support America's military. With 11 major bases, our state attracts about $52 billion in economic impact - and the Florida Defense Alliance plays a big part in making that happen," said Crenshaw, who sits on the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs sub-committees.

"Thanks to partnerships developed by FDA members, Florida is viewed as a leader in dealing with encroachment issues. Outlying Field Whitehouse, just west of NAS Jacksonville, is a perfect example. There's also a positive environmental aspect to it - because when you set aside land as a buffer, it enriches the local eco-system," said Crenshaw.

As for homeporting a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at NS Mayport, the congressman said, "When you have a carrier in your back yard, you realize an annual economic impact of about $300 million. That's like hosting the Super Bowl every year. As for national security, it's critical to disburse our assets and have an alternative port to Naval Station Norfolk in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. For that same reason, the Navy needs a backup nuclear maintenance facility at Mayport."

He concluded, "What we thought was a done deal with homeporting at Mayport - is now back on the desk of the assistant secretary of defense. Good news is that $46 million is currently approved for dredging at Mayport, as well as $30 million for unrelated wharf upgrades. Overall, we must remember that these are dangerous times - and the stimulus package does little to fund jobs through military construction projects. If Washington is going to increase spending by trillions of dollars, we must make sure that our warfighters are not short-changed in the process.

"I want to thank everyone here today for the economic partnerships you develop through FDA. Keeping our military well trained and well equipped is not only important for our state, but important for our nation."

The FDA serves as an advisory body for Enterprise Florida's defense-related activities. It is comprised of designated representatives from each local base's retention/re-use committee, local military base commanders, state agency liaisons, as well as a number of individuals and groups with statewide perspectives and national experience.