January 6
Task Force members,
Happy New Year!
1. Next Meeting – The Task Force will meet in person on Thursday, 19 January 2017,
beginning at 9:00AM in Building 77 on Avon Park Air Force Range, FL. We will be
staying at the Inn on the Lakes, Sebring, FL 33870. Please ensure Michelle has your
latest attendance information.
2. Call In Numbers –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 8784566
3. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017 Passed – The Senate passed the
final FY2017 Defense Authorization bill with broad bipartisan support, 92-7 and the
President signed it into law on December 23 rd, 2016. The bill, which had been worked out
by House and Senate committee negotiators, overwhelmingly passed the House (37534). The compromise bill authorizes a total of $619 billion, including $532 billion for the
FY2017 DoD base budget and $19 billion for in discretionary budget authority for the
Department of Energy (DoE) nuclear weapons program. The bill authorizes an additional
$8 billion in mandatory spending and about $60 billion for Overseas Contingency
Operations (OCO). The legislation authorizes funding to support a 2.1 percent military
pay raise, higher than the 1.6 percent raise proposed by the president. This bill
specifically zeroed out the authorization for 2 Navy projects – the wastewater
treatment plant at NS Mayport and the dormitory at NAS Pensacola. The two
projects were not authorized in the final NDAA conference report as funding for the two
were not included in the final MILCON/VA Appropriations Bill signed into law in
September 2016. The bill added an authorization for a dormitory at Eglin
AFB. Additionally, the NDAA included a statement that Panama City has long played an
important role in the development and support of the US Armed Forces (see more in the
Principi Report – Dec 16, Attached).
4. Office of Public Policy and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) Report –
OPPAGA Report #16-9 entitled “Agency Review – Enterprise Florida, Inc., and
Department of Economic Opportunity” was released in late December 2016. Among the
options that includ continued streamlining and downsizing of EFI, OPPAGA
recommended that since “…DEO is now responsible for administering three state
military and defense grant programs, the Florida Defense Support Task Force and Florida
Defense Alliance (FDA) could be transferred to DEO to completely consolidate the
state’s retention activities.” As part of its response, EFI noted prior OPPAGA reports
that praised EFI’s Military and Defense programs and the unique capability of the staff
that has helped the Task Force to be successful. DEO did not comment on the proposal
to move FDSTF and FDA. The entire report including EFI and DEO responses can be
viewed by clicking this link:
http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/MonitorDocs/Reports/pdf/1609rpt.pdf.
5. Southeast Range Complex – Following our successful Southeast Range Complex
Conference last November, TPG is prepared to present a way ahead for the new year to
the Task Force involved in supporting our critical range capabilities. This concept is very
important to Florida state-wide, but of special interest to the Panhandle and the Tri
County Defense Support Initiative (DSI). The Task Force received a letter of support
(attached) for our continued effort to support establishment of the Southeast Range
Complex Cooperative.
6. Draft Annual Report Out for Review – Task Force members received the draft Task
Force 2016 Annual Report and 2017 Work Plan for review on 5 January 2017. Please
take a chance to provide any edits to Terry McCaffrey not later than 12 January
2017. The report that is required by F.S. 288.985 is due to the Governor, Florida Senate
President and the Speaker of the Florida House not later than 1 February 2017. The Task
Force will vote on the final report at our Avon Park meeting on 19 January 2017.
7. Field of Honor Ceremony – The Veterans Council of Hillsborough County will conduct
2017’s first Field of Honor Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans
Memorial Park
and Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum, 3602 U.S. Highway 301 N. in
Tampa. The event, park, and museum are all free and open to the public. The quarterly
event will honor the lives of servicemen and servicewomen who made the supreme
sacrifice in October, November, and December of 2016 while engaged in our nation’s
current War on Terror. Several Gold Star family members will be in attendance. For
more information on the Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, call (813) 744-5502, or
Hillsborough County’s Veterans Services at (813) 246-3170.
8. Attachments:
 Principi Group Monthly Report – December 2016
 Defense Support Initiative (DSI) – Support Paper for Southeast Range Complex
Cooperative
 Bi-weekly TPG Conference Call Memo
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
NAS Whiting Field
Holley Field one of three future solar farm sites
Anne Delaney, [email protected]:02 p.m. CST December 25, 2016
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/santa-rosa/2016/12/25/holley-field-one-three-future-solar-farmsites/95799106/
Work on the large-scale solar generating facility is underway on Holley Outlying Landing Field at
Whiting Field Naval Air Station. The facility is part of a joint project between Gulf Power and the U.S.
Navy and U.S. Air Force to increase the use of renewable forms of energy.
The farms will be constructed at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Holley Field in Navarre and
Saufley Field at Pensacola Naval Air Station.
“Once operational, the solar farm will have approximately 481,000 photovoltaic panels producing 40
megawatts to power nearly 6,100 Santa Rosa County homes,” said Gulf Power spokesman Rick Delahaya
in an email of the Holley Field farm.
Hurlburt Field
Commander visits Hurlburt
Posted Dec 24, 2016 at 10:00 AM, By Special to the Daily News | 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20161224/co mmander -visits-hurlburt
HURLBURT FIELD - Maj. Gen. Bradley Spacy, commander of the Air Force Installation and Mission
Support Center, visited Hurlburt Field on Dec. 14.
Spacy observed capability demonstrations such as the 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness
Squadron conducting a Forward Air Refueling Point. FARP came about after the 1980 Iran hostage
rescue attempt. After that event, the Air Force realized the need for a highly efficient way to transfer fuel
from one aircraft to another in non-standard and hostile environments.
Spacy was also briefed by Air Commandos on the on the capabilities of the Deployed Aircraft Ground
Response Element (DAGRE), which trains Security Forces Air Commandos to perform special operation
missions such as providing security for Air Force Special Operations Command and Special Operations
Forces aircraft that are transiting airfields where security is unknown or inadequate.
Created in 2014, the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center provides consolidated
management, resourcing and support activities in key areas previously provided by 10 major commands,
two direct reporting units and multiple field operating agencies. AFIMSC's capabilities include security
forces, civil engineering, base communications, logistics readiness, ministry programs, services,
operational acquisition and financial management.
NSA Panama City
New head of Navy diving unit talks shop
Posted Dec 29, 2016 at 5:47 PM, Updated Dec 29, 2016 at 5:47 PM
By Collin Breaux | 747-5081 @PCNHCollin B | [email protected]
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20161229/new-head-of-navy-diving-unit-talks-shop
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY PANAMA CITY - The new Navy Experimental Diving Unit Cmdr. Jay
Young is glad to be back in Panama City.
Young, who took over from outgoing Cmdr. William A. Schultz during a change of command ceremony
Dec. 16, attended dive school at Naval Support Activity Panama City after moving here in 2005. Since
then, he's hopped from base to base, including a stint in the nation's capital, but is now back in the
Panhandle.
"It is a pleasant change of pace from Washington, D.C., both from a daily grind of the commute
perspective to the weather," Young said. "People here are great. They're nice. Very friendly."
And it's the people that Young wants to focus on in his new role. The News Herald recently caught up
with the NEDU commander to ask him about his military career, his plans for the unit and the tight-knit
community on base…..(click on link for interview).
Tyndall AFB
Lockheed Martin to Maintain F-22 Training System
for US Air Force
Posted By: Jay Clemenson: December 27, 2016In: News, Products & Service
http://blog.executivebiz.com/2016/12/lockheed-mart in-to-maintain -f-22-training-system-for-us-air-force/
Lockheed Martin’s aeronautics business has received a $14.9 million contract modification to maintain
the training system for the U.S. Air Force’s for F-22 aircraft.
The Defense Department said Friday that Lockheed will modify system hardware and manage distributed
mission operations as part of the F-22 sustainment trainer requirements.
Lockheed will perform work at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, Tyndall
AFB in Florida, Hickam AFB in Hawaii, Sheppard AFB in Texas and St. Louis in Missouri through Dec.
31, 2018.
The Air Force obligated $1.57 million from its fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance funds at the time
of award.
The Air Force also tapped Lockheed in October to provide sustainment services for the military branch’s
F-22 fleet under a $536.4 contract modification.
Civil Air Patrol provides an eye in the sky during
emergencies
Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2016 12:00 am, By Amy Beth Miller amy.miller@thedailyt imes.com
http://www.thedailytimes.com/news/civil-air-patrol-provides-an-eye-in -the-sky-during/article_365dca3f-2a46-53068b07-a0b3dd55b80f.html
From finding a small child lost in the woods to surveying wildfires raging through the mountains,
volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol see their mission simply as citizens serving their community.
As the CAP celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2016, its value has been evident in East Tennessee recently,
from flying forestry officials over wildfires to monitor their status to helping locate a lost airplane in
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Nationwide, the CAP flies more than 85 percent of the federal inland search-and-rescue missions, under
the direction of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and it saves 75
or more people annually.
Formed just before the United States entered World War II, the CAP continued afterward with three
primary missions as a U.S. Air Force auxiliary: emergency services, aerospace education and cadet
programs…..
NS Mayport
Navy’s new assessment shows no decline in number of
littoral combat ships headed to Mayport
Posted December 22, 2016 04:17 pm - Updated December 22, 2016 05:42 pm
By Joe Daraskevich, joe.daraskevich @jacksonville.co m
http://jacksonville.co m/n ews/2016-12-22/navy -s-new-assessment-sho ws-no -decline -nu mb er-litto ral-co mbat ships-headed-mayport
An updated assessment of the U.S. Navy’s fleet calls for 47 more vessels than previously thought
necessary, but the number of littoral combat ships requested didn’t fluctuate despite pressures to curtail
the program.
Mayport Naval Station is set to become the East Coast home port for the littoral combat ships, which
means half of the 52 ships will be based in Northeast Florida. That total includes the 32 ships planned
plus 20 frigates with an upgraded design, according to the Navy.
The controversial ships are designed to operate close to shore with steerable jet propulsion and two
different hull designs. The Freedom-variant ships will be based at Mayport and the Independence-variant
ships will be based in San Diego. The Freedom ships resemble traditional Navy vessels, while the
Independence ships have trimaran hulls.
The 2016 Navy Force Structure Assessment asks for a force of a 355-ship fleet compared to the previous
report in 2014 that determined 308 would be sufficient.
The two ship classifications with the largest increases are the large surface combat vessels and attack
submarines, according to the report. Those numbers jumped from 88 to 104 for the surface combat ships
and from 48 to 66 for the attack submarines…..
Mayport welcomes USS Milwaukee and Detroit
By News4Jax.com Staff, Posted: 7:15 AM, December 28, 2016Updated: 7:14 AM, December 29, 2016
http://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/duval-county/mayport/mayport-welcomes-milwaukee -and-detroit
MAYPORT, Fla. - Naval Station Mayport will hold a welcoming ceremony for the USS Milwaukee and
the USS Detroit to the base, Friday.
Mayport will soon be the home for all of the Navy's Freedom variant littoral combat ships. The two ships
will lead the way for the Littoral Combat Ship Squadron.
LCS vessels were designed to be high-speed, shallow draft multi-mission ships capable of operating
independently or with a strike group. They are designed to defeat growing threats and provide access and
dominance in coastal waters.
A fast, maneuverable and networked surface-combatant, LCSs provides the
required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to execute focused missions such as surface
warfare, mine warfare and anti-submarine warfare.
"The entire waterfront is excited to add Milwaukee and Detroit to the Mayport Basin, but none more so
than Littoral Combat Ship Squadron Two (LCSRON 2)," said Capt. Paul Young, commanding officer of
the squadron. "This team is ready to commence LCS operations in earnest from the east coast."….
MacDill AFB
Study: Sea level rise may severely impact Tampa by
2040
10News Staff, WTSP 5:36 PM. EST December 28, 2016
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/study-sea-level-rise-may-severely-impact-tampa-by-2040/ 379718201
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- A study released by the City of Tampa and the county's Planning
Commission said that many low-lying areas could be flooded permanently by 2040 due to rising sea
levels.
Areas near Old Tampa Bay, MacDill Air Force Base, McKay Bay, the Tampa Bypass Canal and along
the Hillsborough River could be the most vulnerable if sea level rise is not mitigated. Also at risk is the
local infrastructure and roads within flood-prone areas.
But most strikingly, Tampa General Hospital on Davis Islands is particularly vulnerable due to its
location.
If sea levels continue to rise, the city and county prepared a contingency plan to understand where the
impact will be felt the most.
Many people had questions regarding why sea levels are rising, so we went to climate change and
attorney, Stephen Tilbrook.
“Increasing temperatures of the ocean water, causes the oceans to expand. The melting of the polar ice
caps, also increases sea levels,” says Tilbrook.
The assessment was mandated by the state of Florida following the passage of the Peril of Flood Act in
2015. If local governments do not complete their assessment, they could face sanctions by the state.
The county, in conjunction with the City of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council,
completed the survey to bring the county into compliance with the state law……
Two Tampa companies win $30 million contract for
MacDill projects
Dec 29, 2016, 12:49pm EST, Janelle Irwin, Reporter, Tampa Bay Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2016/12/29/two-tampa-co mpanies-win-30-million-contract-for.ht ml
MacDill Air Force Base: The two companies aren’t guaranteed contracts, but can bid for work up to $6
million a year. The task contracts mean other companies cannot vie for the work.
The work could include things like replacing or repairing air conditioning units, building teardowns or
retrofitting existing infrastructure, according to Eileen Danner of Danner Construction.
“We have grown tremendously based on our work at MacDill,” Danner said. “The last contract brought
back all kinds of jobs.”
The company was able to restore 12 positions following the 2008 economic crisis. Over the past six years
it has received more than $60 million in contracts, according to Danner.
The company just completed an $8 million project repaving a runway at MacDill Air Force Base.
Danner said the task contract awarded could mean more jobs, but it depends on how much work they
actually get out of it. If the company is able to win bids on all $6 million worth of work in the first year,
that would require about five new superintendents, she said.
Danner also uses local subcontractors for much of its work.
R.M. Williams Construction owner Jim Joe is on vacation and unable to comment. A spokesperson for
MacDill Air Force Base did not respond to request for comment.
US Special Operations Command
Will Trump Break the Special Forces?
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H T T P S : / / W W W . T H EA T LA N T I C . C O M / I N T E R N A T I O N A L/ A R C H I V E/ 2 0 1 6 / 1 2 / T R U M P S P EC I A L- F O R C E S - G R E E N - B E R E T - I R A Q - O B A M A - J S O C / 5 1 1 2 2 9 /
On December 6, Donald Trump delivered perhaps his most-detailed post-election comments on national
security. Speaking at a stop on his victory tour in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he reiterated his
commitment to expanding the fight against the Islamic State and, more broadly, against “radical Islamic
terrorism.” Rather than toppling “foreign regimes that we know nothing about … our focus must be on
defeating terrorism and destroying ISIS,” he said. He then predicted a seemingly busy future for the
Green Berets, the largest component of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). “The motto of our
Army Special Forces is ‘To free the oppressed,’ and that is exactly what they have been doing and will
continue to do,” Trump said.
Fulfilling such pledges without breaking the special operations forces (SOF) likely to bear the brunt of the
battle will pose a clear challenge to Trump’s national security team. After 15 years of waging secret wars
that began in Afghanistan and spread to Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and Syria, while covering down on
other responsibilities around the globe, SOF are already stretched thin and on the brink of burn out.
Special operators and members of Congress alike are saying something’s got to give…..
SOCom investigating claim that consultant gained
entry to health care data
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Monday, January 2, 2017 4:59pm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macd ill/socom-investigating-claim-o f-health-care-data-breach/2308173
U.S. Special Operations Command is investigating a claim by a cybersecurity consultant that he was able
to breach a database containing the personal information of hundreds of health care workers who treat
commandos and their families.
The investigation was confirmed by Ken McGraw, a spokesman for SOCom, the command based at
MacDill Air Force Base that helps guide the work of the military's commandos. Consultant Chris Vickery
told the Tampa Bay Times he gained entry into the database of a Virginia company that provides health
care workers for a SoCom program called Preservation of Force and Family.
The files he acquired do not appear to contain health care information about commandos, Vickery said. It
is unknown whether anyone outside the company other than him had accessed the data, he said.
The information contains names, Social Security numbers, home and work addresses, email addresses,
phone numbers, resumes and security clearances for employees with Potomac Healthcare Solutions.
It also includes the company's jobsite locations around the United States as well as in Japan, Ireland and
other foreign lands. As part of the program, the health care workers travel to locations where commandos
are based…..
Cape Canaveral AFS
SpaceX, Boeing Secure ISS Crew Rotation Mission
Contracts From NASA
5 January 2017, 7:29 am EST By Kalyan Kumar Tech Times
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/191242/ 20170105/spacex-boeing-secure-iss-crew-rotation-mission-contractsfrom-nasa.htm
NASA has announced four more contracts to SpaceX and Boeing for crewed flights to the International
Space Station in 2018. This takes the total number of missions to SpaceX and Boeing to six each.
NASA has bestowed four more contracts each to SpaceX and Boeing for ferrying astronauts to the
International Space Station in 2018.
The new crew rotation missions to the private firms will take the number of total missions with SpaceX
and Boeing to six each. A statement from NASA said the space taxis will transport up to four astronauts
and 220 pounds of critical cargo to the space station.
"Awarding these missions now will provide greater stability for the future space station crew rotation
schedule, as well as reduce schedule and financial uncertainty for our providers," said Phil McAlister,
director of NASA's Commercial Spaceflight Development Division…..
Patrick AFB
Rocket, satellite factories to rise at Exploration Park
in 2017
James Dean , FLORIDA TODAY7:18 a.m. EST January 2, 2017
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/01/01/rocket-satellite-factories-rise-explorat ion-park2017/95807410/
The New Year will see a pair of major new space manufacturing facilities rise at Kennedy Space Center’s
Exploration Park.
OneWeb, a startup planning to build hundreds of small communications satellites, entered the holidays
with a billion-dollar momentum boost from investors.
The company on Dec. 19 announced a $1 billion investment by SoftBank Group of Japan, which owns
Sprint, and said that earlier investors were pumping in another $200 million.
"OneWeb is a tremendously exciting company poised to transform internet access around the world from
their manufacturing facility in Florida," said Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank, in a
statement.
The companies said the new investment would create 3,000 jobs over four years, though no total was
projected for Florida. The local satellite manufacturing operation, announced in April, was expected to
bring 250 jobs.
OneWeb plans to build a constellation of nearly 650 small satellites in low Earth orbit that will expand
broadband internet access around the world, with a first batch of 10 launching in early 2018.
Founder Greg Wyler says the company’s goal is to connect every school by 2022, and “fully bridge the
digital divide” with affordable internet available to all by 2027.
The roughly 330-pound spacecraft will be built — at a rate of up to 15 a week — by OneWeb Satellites, a
joint venture between OneWeb and Airbus. A roughly 100,000 square-foot satellite factory is being
designed for construction next year at Exploration Park, on NASA land managed by Space Florida…..
Team Orlando
Lockheed Martin perfoming $220.7M worth of
military work in Orlando
Dec 23, 2016, 9:46am EST
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/12/23/lockheed-martin-perfo ming-220-7m-worth-of-military.ht ml
Lockheed Martin's Missiles & Fire Control Unit in Orlando landed work with the U.S. Navy valued at
$150.9 million. Services include production of a target sight system for the Cobra attack helicopter. The
sight system is an infrared system with a laser and rangefinder turret. The work has a January 2022
completion date.
The Missiles &d Fire Control unit also landed a U.S. Army contract valued at $69.8 million. Services
include performance-based logistics in support of the modernized target acquisition designation
sight/pilot night vision sensors program. The modernized target system is like super-powered eyes for a
pilot controlling the Apache attack helicopter. The system — built in Orlando — provides enhanced
situational awareness, long-range precision and clear visibility in harsh weather conditions day or night.
The contract has a December 2017 completion date.
Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) has more than 7,000 workers in Orlando and
often scoops up big contracts for work done here. Military contracts contribute to the local economy in
the form of jobs and subcontractor opportunities.
Central Florida is a major player when it comes to defense contracts. About $4 billion in government
contracts flow through the Orlando region each year because the nation’s Army, Air Force, Navy and
Marines simulation operations are based in Central Florida Research Park.
Avon Park
41st RQS ‘spins up’ to deploy
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Airmen from the 41st Rescue Squadron conducted preparative ‘spin-up’ training Dec. 5-15, at Avon Park
Air Force Range, Fla.
The spin-up training involved Moody Airmen leaving the base to coordinate operations between Patrick
AFB and Avon Park.
“We get two weeks to come down here, away from Moody and our additional duties to focus solely on
going out and executing that combat, search and rescue mission,” said Capt. Robert Smith, 41st RQS HH60G Pave Hawk pilot who’s deployed twice with this mission. “When we’re talking about ‘getting ready
to deploy,’ this is probably the first time to fly with your hard crews. So you get to learn the ins and outs
of everybody and what works.”
Building that comfort level prepares crews to respond quicker and more efficiently.
“We’re flying with the same individuals we’ll be flying with downrange,” said 1st Lt. Travis Worrell,
41st RQS HH-60G Pave Hawk co-pilot preparing for his first deployment. “So we’re learning how other
guys think and what’s expected of each person in the crew, so that when we get a mission everyone
already knows where they need to go and what they need to do.”
Avon Park was chosen as the location for this spin-up training due to the many factors that make it a more
realistic deployed environment.
“At Moody we try to mimic these conditions as closely as possible, but Avon’s Range provides a couple
of things we don’t have, such as 360 degree firing fans so we can shoot in any direction we want,” said
Smith. “They also have a larger range with more maneuvering area, and more vehicles and buildings that
we can shoot at. So it’s less of us using imagination, but actually utilizing the stuff that’s already
there.”….
NAS Key West
Blue Angels to fly over Huntington Beach next week
Jan. 4, 2017, Updated Jan. 5, 2017 8:18 a.m., By GREG MELLEN / STAFF WRITER
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/airshow-740203-beach-b lue.ht ml
An F/A 18 from the famed Blue Angels U.S. Navy flying team will be passing over Huntington Beach
and the pier area between 9:30 and 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12 as part of their preparations for the 2017
Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow, Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
The Blue Angels plane, piloted by Brandon Hempler and Dave Steppe, respectively, will be conducting
a flight survey and technical evaluation of the airspace. Hempler, 32, and Steppe, 31, were announced as
members of the demonstration flying team in July.
The Blue Angels will be one of the headline acts in the second HB Airshow along with the Royal
Canadian Air Force Snowbirds. The inaugural show with the USAF Thunderbirds drew estimated
crowds of more than 500,000 to the free weekend shows.
“The Huntington Beach Airshow is honored and excited to host two of the world’s premier military jet
demonstration teams,” said Michael McCabe, the airshow director, in a statement when the show was
announced in December at International Council of Airshows Convention in Las Vegas. “Their
spectacular demonstrations will thrill the young and young at heart.”…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed jobs in Orlando, elsewhere riding on Trump
tweets
Paul Brinkmann, Contact Reporter, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Dec 2016
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-lockheed-trump-reaction-20161223-story.html
President-elect Donald Trump's tweet late Thursday about seeking an alternate plan for the F-35 fighter
jet — systems for which are made in Orlando — could have a big impact on Lockheed Martin and on its
thousands of jobs in Central Florida.
John Kent, spokesman for Lockheed Martin, confirmed Friday that the F-35's electro-optical targeting
system is engineered in Orlando at the Missiles and Fire Control plant on Sand Lake Road, and the
company's Orlando simulation and training division also has an ongoing $122 million deal to build other
key support equipment for the much-criticized next-generation stealth fighter.
Although it's too early to know what will happen during a Trump administration, the spectre of canceling
of the F-35 program – or even just streamlining it – is not what most in the defense industry expected
after Trump's election.
"Clearly if it was canceled, yes, it would be a negative for Lockheed," said Roman Schweitzer, defense
policy analyst at New York-based Cowen Group. "But the Air Force needs fighter jets, and would
Lockheed be in line for another program? We just don't know."
Trump tweeted at 5:26 p.m. Thursday that "Based on the tremendous cost and cost overruns of the
Lockheed Martin F-35, I have asked Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet!"
Trump had also tweeted Dec. 12, about the F-35, which is a $1 trillion program and one of the biggest
defense projects in history. The government aims to have about 3,000 F-35s over the net 30 years.
Roger Handberg, professor of political science at UCF, said such a move "if Trump is able to do it" would
have major impact on Lockheed and possibly Orlando.
"But the reality is that the F-18 is not new and stealth – you do not just slap some stealth coatings on the
aircraft and, voila! you have a stealth plane," Handberg said. "It is designed from the get go. More
critically, if you decided the F-18 is your plane, the costs of making it stealth would likely wipe out any
financial savings."
Lockheed employs more than 7,000 people in the region. Many thousands more have stock in the
company, which dropped about 5 percent (representing about $4 billion) after the Dec. 12 tweet…..
DoD Budget
Can Trump end Washington’s biggest budget
gimmick?
By DANNY VINIK, 12/29/16 05:13 AM EST
http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2016/12/can-trump-end-washingtons-biggest-budget-gimmick-000263
Since 2001, the Department of Defense has spent more than $9 trillion on everything from new weapons
systems to soldier salaries, and nearly 20 percent of that money — $1.7 trillion in total — has come from
an “off-the-books” budget account called the Overseas Contingency Operations fund. It’s the best-known
budget gimmick in Washington, a classic example of Democrats and Republicans finding common
ground when they want to boost defense spending while technically abiding by the current budget caps.
But starting in 2017, a fierce critic of that gimmick is set to become one of the most important people in
the Washington budget world. President-elect Donald Trump recently picked Rep. Mick Mulvaney to
head of the Office of Management and Budget, the small yet powerful agency that produces the
president’s annual budget. It’s an extraordinarily powerful role, experts say, enabling Mulvaney to leave
his fingerprints on every corner of the federal government — and, importantly, giving him a direct line to
Trump on matters of federal spending.
Mulvaney has been one of the loudest critics of the fund during his time in Congress, hammering it as a
“slush fund” and sponsoring legislation to eliminate it. Now, suddenly, he will find himself in a unique
position to kill it off. Could he do it?
Experts say any serious effort to end the gimmick could set up a huge internal fight between the White
House and the Pentagon. And even if he succeeds there, Mulvaney would then face an even tougher
challenge of convincing his former colleagues in Congress to end the gimmick, forcing them to make
difficult budgetary decisions in an era of tight resources. As longtime budget watchers know, when given
the choice between making those tough choices and avoiding them through a gimmick, Congress
typically chooses the latter……
DoD report shows big savings from ‘should cost’ policy
By Scott Maucione | @smaucione, WFED, January 2, 2017 1:44 pm
http://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2017/01/dod-report-shows-big-savings-cost-policy/
The Defense Department claims it’s seeing major benefits from one of the flagship tenets of its Better
Buying Power acquisition reforms.
A recent report to Congress ties lower contract costs, reduced cost overruns and arrested cost growth on
major programs with Better Buying Power’s “should cost” initiative.
DoD added should cost to its arsenal of reforms more than five years ago when the department rolled out
Better Buying Power.
The policy asks managers to set program cost targets below independent cost estimates. It then asks the
heads of programs to manage with the intent to achieve those cost goals.
Should cost “effects are necessarily idiosyncratic to individual program, commodity classes and services,”
the Nov. 3, 2016 report from Defense Undersecretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank
Kendall states. Should cost “management tasks each acquisition program manager to analyze, question
and justify each element of program cost, showing how it might improve year-by-year through specific
tangible cost reduction approaches.”
Those approaches include engineering, manufacturing processes and business practices.
Now entering its fifth year of implementation, DoD stated 87 percent of its major acquisition programs
developed should cost initiatives.
The report pointed to an increase in major programs projecting funding reductions as one way the policy
is saving the Pentagon money.
Almost half of major programs project reductions in development prices in 2015, that’s compared to 27
percent in 2009…..
Defense Sequester Stands in Way of President Trump’s
Shipbuilding Plan
BY: Morgan Chalfant, January 4, 2017 2:40 pm
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/defense-sequester-stands-in-way-of-shipbuilding/
The U.S. Navy under the Trump administration will have difficulty expanding its fleet of warships to
defend U.S. interests due to current defense budget caps.
The Navy’s fiscal 2017 shipbuilding plan, sent to Congress last July, would expand the Navy’s fleet to
308 battle force ships from the current level of 272 to meet commitments abroad and maintain an edge
over potential adversaries.
The plan would cost, on average, $21 billion annually in 2016 dollars over 30 years, according to
a summary analysis released on Wednesday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
Implementing the plan will be difficult for the Trump administration given defense spending caps set by
the 2011 Budget Control Act, which will remain in effect through 2021 under current law.
The 2017 shipbuilding plan, which covers the period between 2017 and 2046, was based on the service’s
2014 force structure assessment calling for a fleet of 308 battle force ships, a category that
includes aircraft carriers, submarines, surface combatants, and amphibious ships, as well as logistics and
some support ships. The Navy released a new force structure assessment in December stating that the
service needs a fleet of 355 ships to defend U.S. interests and counter threats from China and Russia…
Other Of Interest
2017 Will See Major Changes in the Florida
Congressional Delegation
By KEVIN DERBY, December 27, 2016 - 6:00am
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/2017-will-see-major-changes-florida-congressional-delegation
The 115th Congress will launch in the new year and there will be major changes in the Florida
delegation.
There’s a host of first-time freshmen representing the Sunshine State with Republicans Matt Gaetz, Neal
Dunn, John Rutherford, Brian Mast and Francis Rooney and Democrats Al Lawson, Stephanie Murphy,
Darren Soto, Val Demings and Charlie Crist joining Congress.
On the Republican side, Mast, a veteran who was disabled in combat, and Rooney, a high-powered GOP
fundraiser who served as ambassador to the Holy See under President George W. Bush, will get their
share of attention but Gaetz is an up-and-comer who is well positioned to serve decades in Congress if he
so chooses. All of them will certainly try to present themselves as conservatives as the GOP majority
looks forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump.
Crist, as a former Republican who served as governor, will get most of the attention on the Democratic
side but the other new backbenchers on that side of the aisle should get some notice. The Democrats
would be wise to highlight Deming’s crime fighting credentials from her tenure as Orlando police chief.
Soto is the most prominent politician from the expanding Puerto Rican population based in Central
Florida. All of them will present themselves as moderates in the months to come.
In the meantime, the returning members of the delegation will look to play a prominent role in shaping
legislation. Despite coming from different sides of the aisle, Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and
Democrat Ted Deutch have often worked together running the Middle East and North Africa
Subcommittee, especially when it comes to supporting Israel. Look for that to continue in the new
Congress. With Trump looking to get a major transportation bill through Congress, South Florida
Republican Mario Diaz-Balart will play a prominent role as he continues to chair the Transportation and
Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Another Florida Republican to keep an eye on is
Dennis Ross who serves as part of the GOP leadership and, as part of the Trump transition team, has solid
ties to the incoming administration.
Some members of the Florida delegation are already generating buzz for 2018 including Republicans Ron
DeSantis and Tom Rooney. Both of them can be expected to spend much of 2017 trying to raise their
profiles as they test the waters for possible runs for statewide office. With seats on the House Budget and
Ways and Means Committees, Republican Vern Buchanan will continue to expand his influence on the
Hill. While neither is likely to launch another bid to be House speaker, Republicans Ted Yoho and Dan
Webster will look to ensure the GOP majority remains true to its conservative principles. While not the
most high profile figures on the Hill, Republicans Bill Posey and Gus Bilirakis continue to remain major
forces on key committees. As he heads into a second term, South Florida Republican Carlos Curbelo
remains popular with leadership and it will be interesting to see where he goes from here…..
2017 Agenda For Florida Women Veterans
By BOBBIE O'BRIEN • DEC 31, 2016
http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/2017-agenda-florida-women-veterans#stream/ 0
With the New Year comes a new women veterans’ coordinator for the state of Florida, Army veteran
Darlene Scully, and an ambitious agenda for 2017.
In addition to her job reviewing veterans’ claims, Scully took on the position two months ago to be a
voice for women vets who currently make up 10 percent of the 1.6 million veterans in Florida.
“I really want to get more involved in outreach, more involved in what’s going on at the VA and what
they’re offering as far as women veterans’ health issues,” Scully said.
That includes mental health. Scully has a graduate degree in forensic psychology and is working on a
masters’ degree in mental health counseling. She’s particularly interested in helping women vets dealing
with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or military sexual trauma (MST).
“Statistics show that 1 out of 5 women report MST either in the military or right after when they’re
getting out of the military,” Scully said.
As part of her outreach, Scully has planned a women veterans’ conference June 8-10, 2017 in Orlando.
She picked the more centralized site hoping to reach more women veterans in the state.
You can find more information on the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs website and email Scully
at [email protected] with your questions and issues.
Rubio gets spot on appropriations committee
Alex Leary, Times Washington Bureau Chief, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 12:10pm
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/rubio-gets-spot-on-appropriations-committee/2308239
Sen. Marco Rubio, sworn in this afternoon to a second term, has taken on two new committees:
Appropriations and the Special Committee on Aging.
He retains his posts on the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and
the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
He will no longer serve on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which had
oversight on space issues.
“With so many threats to America’s national security around the world, I look forward to continuing my
work on the foreign relations and intelligence committees," Rubio said in a statement. "In the days and
weeks ahead, we must reestablish America’s moral standing in the world, and make it absolutely clear
that the United States will remain a true friend of Israel and a beacon of hope and freedom to oppressed
people everywhere. The challenges posed by countries like Cuba, Iran, Russia, China and North Korea
will require decisive American leadership and resolve.
“We also have a lot of work to do here at home. Too many Americans have been left behind in the 21st
century economy, and there is real anxiety among parents that their children will not have the same
opportunities they had to work hard, pursue the American Dream, and climb the economic ladder. That’s
not acceptable, and I’m going to work with anyone who wants to find real solutions for workers and their
families. Of course, a key factor in growing our economy from the bottom up is our small businesses, and
I’ll continue to collaborate closely with Florida job creators during my work on the small business
committee…..
GOV. SCOTT: WE MUST DEFEAT TERROR –
PROPOSING FUNDING FOR
COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATIONS
On January 4, 2017, in News Releases, by Staff
http://www.flgov.com/2017/01/04/gov-scott-we-must-defeat-terror-proposing-funding-for-counterterroris moperations/
ORLANDO, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that he will propose $5.8 million in funding
for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to add 46 counterterrorism agents as part of his
2017-2018 recommended budget. The agents will specialize in counterterrorism and intelligence and will
be organized into counterterrorism squads that are stationed in each of FDLE’s seven regions.
Counterterrorism agents will work hand-in-hand with local, state and federal intelligence agencies to
establish a planned, deliberate and comprehensive effort in support of domestic security.
Governor Scott said, “Today, I am proud to announce that I will include $5.8 million in funding for FDLE
to strengthen their counterterrorism and intelligence efforts as part of my 2017-18 recommended budget.
Terror is a threat to our state and nation and we need specialists that are solely dedicated to identifying
these terrorists and stopping them before they attack…..
January 13
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – The Task Force will meet in person next Thursday, 19 January 2017,
beginning at 9:00AM in Building 77 on Avon Park Air Force Range, FL (agenda
attached). We will be staying at the Inn on the Lakes, 3101 Golfview Rd, Sebring, FL
33870. Additional specific meeting/event information will be sent in a separate email.
Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 8784566
2. Senate and House Committee Meetings – Both Florida Chambers held committee
meetings concerning Military and Veterans Affairs this week. The Senate Military and
Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee met and discussed three main
presentations from Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA), Federal Veteran’s
Administration and Florida Department of Military Affairs (FDMA). Among the topics
from FDMA, MG Calhoun introduced Brig Gen Eifert, ATAG Air, to lead a presentation
on the F-35 program for Jacksonville (Committee Meeting Packet attached). The House
Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee met for the first time on 11 January
2017. Their meeting included a brief from MG Calhoun on Florida National Guard
missions and capabilities that was very well received (Meeting Packet attached). Bruce
Grant and Terry McCaffrey attended both committee meetings.
3. Florida Freshman Representatives on House Armed Services Committee (HASC) –
Two of Florida’s new House members will be joining the HASC: Representative Matt
Gaetz (district includes NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field , Corry Station, Hurlburt
Field and Eglin AFB) and Representative Stephanie Murphy (district includes Team
Orlando). See articles below in clips for more information on these assignments and the
attached list for all FL CODEL committee assignments as of 12 January 2016.
4. Military / Veteran Related Bills Filed This Week – There were four new bills filed this
week. So far, eight bills have been filed, all focused on veterans issues (see attached).
 HB 0179 Relating to Veteran Identification (Combee)
Veteran Identification: Requires DHSMV to create veteran identification card for
certain purposes; provides for design of card; provides eligibility requirements;
prohibits use of card for certain purposes; authorizes use of card as proof of
veteran status for obtaining waivers of license/registration fees relating to certain
businesses & occupations & carrying concealed weapons/firearms. Effective
Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 0330 Relating to Local Business Taxes (Steube)
Local Business Taxes; Prohibiting the governing bodies of counties and
municipalities, respectively, from levying a local business tax that was not
adopted before a specified date; deleting certain provisions that, for counties and
municipalities, limit the rate of the tax and authorize increases of the tax;
providing an exemption from the business tax, subject to certain conditions, to
specified veterans, spouses of veterans and active servicemembers, and lowincome individuals, etc. Effective Date: Upon becoming a law
 SB 0326 Relating to Alternative Treatment Options for Veterans (Steube)
Alternative Treatment Options for Veterans; Providing definitions; authorizing
the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to contract with certain individuals and
entities to provide alternative treatment options for certain veterans; requiring
direction and supervision by certain licensed providers; authorizing the
department to adopt rules, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 HB 0197 Relating to Small Business Financial Assistance (Baez)
Small Business Financial Assistance: Creates Veterans Employment Small
Business Grant Program within DVA; directs Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., to
administer program; authorizes corporation to accept & administer moneys
appropriated for grants; limits amount small business may receive; requires small
business to apply to & enter into agreement with corporation to receive grants;
requires corporation to notify appropriate regional small business development
center of small business's participation; provides for termination of program;
authorizes DVA to adopt rules; provides appropriation. Effective Date: October 1,
2017
5. Attachments:
 Meeting 50 Agenda – Avon Park
 The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Committee Meeting Packet (MeetingPacket 3546)
 House Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Meeting Packet (CP
House LFVA2017 2017111)
 FL CODEL list with Bases and Committee assignments
 Military and Veteran Related Bills Filed As of 13 January 2017
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
Florida CODEL
Freshmen Congress members from Orlando get top
choices for committee seats
SCOTT POWERS, 1/10/2017
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/230065-freshmen-congress-members-orlando-get-top-choices-committee-seats
Central Florida’s three freshmen in Congress all got top-choice A-list committee assignments Tuesday,
with Val Demings of Orlando serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Darren Soto of Orlando on
the Agriculture Committee, and Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park on the Armed Services Committee.
Congressional leaders announced their choices for freshmen and others to fill spots on the top committees
Tuesday. More committee assignments are likely late this week and early next week. While “top choice”
often is something like appropriations, which is rarely if ever available to freshmen, incoming members
of Congress also have their top realistic choices.
For Demings, a former Orlando police chief who was part of much of the post 9-11 Homeland Security
planning and implementation for Orlando, that was the Committee on Homeland Security, according to
her office.
The same is true for Murphy, who spent several years as a strategy analyst in the U.S. Department of
Defense.
And Soto’s top pick was agriculture according to his office, given that his district includes the huge cattle
ranches of Osceola County and many of the huge citrus groves of Polk County.
Murphy’s appointment also gives her a close look at federal spending available for the military’s
modeling and simulation centers in Orlando, as well as for the state’s large military presence.
“Florida is home to numerous military installations and hundreds of thousands of military personnel,
veterans, and their families. I’ll use my previous experience at the Department of Defense and my
position on the Armed Services Committee to support our men and women in uniform and strengthen our
national security,” she stated in a news release. “From cybersecurity to terrorism, we must ensure our
service members have the resources and training they need to adapt to rapidly-evolving threats, and I will
work with both Democrats and Republicans to help keep our country safe.”
Gaetz to serve on Armed Services, Budget committees
Thomas St. Myer , [email protected] 10:03 a.m. CT Jan. 10, 2017 | Updated 10 hours ago
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/10/gaetz-serve-two-us-house-committees/96390046/
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz eyed a seat on the Armed Services Committee long before voters put him in office.
Gaetz spoke of his desire to serve on the committee throughout his campaign, and after he won the
general election in November, he said, “I plan to go to Washington and defend our military with a whip
and chair.”
Pensacola Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, Hurlburt Air Force Base and Eglin Air Force Base are among
military bases in his district.
Tuesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan granted Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) his wish assigning him to the
Armed Services Committee. He secured a spot on the prominent Budget Committee, too….
FDSTF
North Florida Land Trust had a historic year by
tripling the land conserved in 2016
JANUARY 10, 2017 BY MONIKA DONIMIRSKA
HTTP://SATPRNEWS.COM/2017/01/10/NORTH-FLORIDA-LAND-TRUSTHAD-A-HISTORIC-YEAR-BY-TRIPLING-THE-LAND-CONSERVED-IN-2016/
Jacksonville, FL – North Florida Land Trust is proud to announce they tripled the amount of conservation
lands in 2016. From 1999 to 2015, the organization protected just over 6,000 acres of land. In 2016, they
added more than 12,000 acres to the amount of land held for conservation purposes. It is the most land
NFLT has been able to preserve in one year since they started their mission. NFLT’s historic year was
attained with conservation easements, acquisitions of land and donations of both…..
…..In 2016, NFLT worked closely with the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental
Protection Integration (REPI) program to identify and preserve land near Camp Blanding. The acquisition
was funded in part by a grant from the National Guard Bureau as part of the REPI program and with help
from the Clay County Development Authority, who secured a grant from the Florida Defense Support
Task Force.
“We are going to keep up the momentum in 2017 and our plan is to double our 2016 success,” said
McCarthy. “The beauty of the land that we preserve and the large amount of wildlife and plant species
that depend on these habitats is why we do what we do. We encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the
natural lands, observe the wildlife and just spend some time in the great outdoors.”….
NAS Pensacola
U P G R A D E S P L A N N E D AT N A S
P E N S A C O L A’ S S H E R M A N F I E L D
PULSE STAFFJANUARY 9, 2017METRO PENSACOLAMILITARY & DEFENSE
HTTP://PULSEGULFCOAST.COM/2017/01/UPGRADESPLANNED-NAS-PENSACOLAS-SHERMAN-FIELD
Some much-needed upgrades are on the horizon at Naval Air Station Pensacola’s Sherman Field, with the
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast moving last month to award a $37 million
contract to Head, Inc./Diaz, a joint venture small business based in Columbus, Ohio.
The contract provides for major electrical vault repair, electrical infrastructure work, grade correction,
pavement mill and overlay, airfield lighting, signage and marking for one runway and up to two taxiways,
and reconfiguration of the main airfield apron. Site clearing and demolition and all other associated work
necessary to accomplish the project are to be included in the award, officials said.
“Forrest Sherman Field is vitally important to our undergraduate flight training aboard NAS Pensacola,”
said Capt. Christopher Martin, NAS Pensacola’s commanding officer. “As the home of Training Air
Wing SIX and the 479th Flying Training Group, all prospective Naval Flight Officers for the U.S. Navy
and U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force Combat Systems Officers train here, as well as flight
officers/navigators for NATO, Allied and Coalition partners. These upgrades will enhance and ensure our
ability to train our aviators safely and in a world class environment.”
Work is expected to be completed by June 2018.
Saufley Field
Eglin AFB to begin massive solar power project
By special to the Daily News, Posted Jan 12, 2017 at 5:14 PM, Updated Jan 12, 2017 at 5:54 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170112/eglin-afb-to-begin-massive-solar-power-project
EGLIN AFB - Executives from Gulf Power and Coronal Energy will join officials from Eglin Air Force
Base and NAS Pensacola's Saufley Navy Outlying Field on Wednesday, Jan. 18, for the installation of the
first two solar photovoltaic panels on two large solar projects.
These projects, along with a third at NAS Whiting Field's Holley Outlying Field, will be among the state's
largest solar projects. The three projects will total about 1.5 million solar panels capable of generating up
to 120 megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power nearly 18,000 homes for a year.
The milestone marks a significant stage in the construction of the three facilities that began in November
at Naval Air Station Pensacola's Saufley Outlying Field, Naval Air Station Whiting Field's Holley
Outlying Field and Eglin Air Force Base. They are expected to be operational this summer.
Gulf Power and its third-party developer, Coronal Energy, are building the facilities. The projects will
support the Department of Defense's commitment to renewable energy and help further diversify Gulf
Power's energy portfolio.
Camp Blanding
Breaking barriers and taking names: First Female
NCO Paves the Way into Combat Engineering
01.07.2017, Story by Sgt. Christopher Vann, 107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/219524/breaking -barriers-and-taking-names-first-female-ncopaves-way-into-combat-engineering
CAMP BLANDING, Fla. - Braving the January wintry conditions and hectic pace, a Soldier from the
Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team led the charge in a new wave of females
into what has historically been an all-male combat arms environment. That Soldier was Army Sgt.
Chelsea Peebles.
As soon as Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter opened up all combat arms to females in Dec. 2015,
Peebles jumped at the opportunity to change her military occupational specialty from military police to
combat engineer or military classification of 12B.
“I’ve always wanted to be able to have a combat MOS, which is why I enlisted in the FLNG’s MP unit,”
said Peebles. “Once it became available to be a 12B, that’s when I decided to go ahead, take that step and
go to school for it.”
With her unit’s restructuring, Peebles, who maintains peak physical readiness, seized the chance to give
her maximum effort while fulfilling her dream and proving her mettle.
During her combat engineer training, Peebles tackled numerous hazardous and demanding tasks. One of
those tasks was route clearance that included mine detection and live improvised explosive device
removal……
NAS Jacksonville
Navy partnership hits milestone, 50th P-8A delivered
Defense, January 9, 2017
http://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2017/01/09/navy-partnership-hits-milestone-50th-p-8a-delivered/
The U.S. Navy accepted its 50th P-8A Poseidon (P-8A) aircraft at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla,
Jan. 5.
The Navy’s Poseidon is replacing the legacy P-3 Orion and will improve an operator’s ability to
efficiently conduct anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance missions. The P-8A program of record calls for a total requirement for 117 of the 737based anti-submarine warfare jets.
“I’d like to formally thank the team, including PMA-290, Boeing and our entire P-8A industry team, as
we deliver the 50th P-8A Poseidon early and under budget,” said Capt. Tony Rossi, the Navy’s program
manager for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft. “This milestone demonstrates outstanding
work ethic, professionalism and dedication to the fleet.”
“The P-8A is special,” added Rossi. “This is the first time a Navy combat aircraft was built from the
ground up on a commercial production line. We’ve leveraged commercial expertise and experience, and a
highly reliable airframe, the 737, which has reduced production time and overall production costs.”
Since the initial contract award, the program has reduced P-8 costs by more than 30 percent and has saved
the U.S. Navy more than $2.1 Billion.
“Together, we and our industry partners are transforming today’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance
force for the evolving threats and diverse mission requirements,” he said. “This replacement for the P-3C
builds on lessons-learned, while enhancing those capabilities with unique features, such as an electrooptical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret and increased acoustic processing capability with 64 passive
sonobuoys, 32 multistatic sonobuoys and concurrent passive and active processing.”
The fleet’s transformation from the legacy P-3C to the P-8A is expected to be completed by Fiscal Year
2019…..
Northeast Florida lawmakers continue to advocate for
F-35s in Jacksonville
STAFF REPORTS, 12 JAN 2017
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/230179-northeast-florida-lawmakers-continue-advocate-f-35s-jacksonville
Northeast Florida lawmakers continue to make their push for bringing F-35 jets to Jacksonville, reports
the Jacksonville Business Journal.
The laudatory comments about the fighter jets, which would be housed at the National Guard hangar at
the Jacksonville International Airport, were made in the Florida Senate’s Military and Veterans Affairs,
Space, and Domestic Security Committee.
Chairwoman Audrey Gibson, a Jacksonville Democrat, declaimed that “I’m excited about the
possibilities and I certainly want my pilots in planes that actually function and something doesn’t break
down midway to where they are going,”
That last reference? To the aging F-15 jets currently in use.
The support for F-35 upgrades was bipartisan, with Clay County Republican Rob Bradley joining his
Democratic colleague from Jacksonville in support.
“I think everybody has come to a real understanding of how important this would be to our area if we
were to gain these assets,” Bradley, a Clay County Republican, said.
With worries about the BRAC process never far from the minds of military-minded Northeast Florida
legislators, virtually all are in support of bringing the F-35’s to Jacksonville.
However, that federal decision is not imminent.
MacDill AFB
MacDill KC-135s conclude temporary relocation
at JB Charleston
01.04.2017, Story by Airman Megan Munoz , Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Office
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/219606/macdill -kc-135s-conclude-temporary-relocation-jbcharleston
The first of four steady-state KC-135s arrived at Joint Base Charleston on Oct. 14 along with nearly 90
Airmen from MacDill to continue operations during the runway reconstruction at MacDill.
The KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling capability and is also capable of transporting litter and
ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.
The visitors were warmly welcomed by the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings, because it provided the
opportunity to work with the MacDill tankers and perform various training missions.
“MacDill enabled us to accomplish over 288 currency events, ensuring we maintain our proficiency in
this critical skill,” said Col. Louis Hansen, 437th Operations Group commander. “Air refueling is a force
multiplier, allowing U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command (AMC) to deliver forces
and cargo anywhere in the world non-stop.”
The temporary arrangement made the difficult task of scheduling and coordinating joint cargo and tanker
training opportunities. During the 64 days the 6th Air Mobility and 927th Air Refueling Wings spent
here, they teamed up for 48 sorties in addition to their primary mission.
Cape Canaveral AFS
Space Coast could host more than 30 launches in 2017
James Dean , FLORIDA TODAYPublished 2:21 p.m. ET Jan. 10, 2017 | Updated 14 hours ago
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/01/10/air-force-expects-busy-year-launches-capecanaveral/96341178/
The Space Coast could see as many as 32 launches by five different rockets in 2017, the vice commander
of the Air Force's 45th Space Wing said Tuesday.
That would easily surpass the 23 launch operations supported in 2016, the Eastern Range's busiest year in
two decades.
“Just a tremendous year,” said Col. Walt Jackim, in a “State of the Wing” presentation to the National
Space Club Florida Committee in Cape Canaveral. “It’s only going to get busier for us.”
United Launch Alliance is expected to kick off the 2017 campaign with an Atlas V launch next Thursday
night, Jan. 19. It's the first of at least seven launches ULA plans from Florida, including six on the Atlas
V and one by a Delta IV.
Orbital ATK’s Minotaur IV rocket is expected to make a mid-year visit for an Air Force mission, reviving
long-dormant Launch Complex 46.
Most of the remainder counts on a banner year from SpaceX, which hopes to resume Falcon 9 launches
this month and to debut the long-awaited Falcon Heavy, which will become the world's most powerful
rocket.
Those flights will attempt to land the Falcon 9 boosters at sea or, in some cases, on pads at Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station.
SpaceX likely will have two Cape launch pads available for at least part of the year….
Missile warning satellite placed on Atlas V rocket
James Dean , FLORIDA TODAY3:54 p.m. ET Jan. 12, 2017
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/01/12/missile-warning-satellite-placed-atlas-vrocket/96502550/
A week before its planned launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a U.S. missile warning satellite
on Thursday was hoisted atop an Atlas V rocket at Launch Complex 41.
The roughly 10,000-pound spacecraft worth $1.2 billion is equipped with infrared sensors to provide early
detection and tracking of ballistic missiles.
The Lockheed Martin-built Space Based Infrared System satellite, known as SBIRS GEO-3, will be the
third placed in a geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles over the equator, where it will appear to
hold a fixed position in the sky. A fourth satellite is expected to launch late this year to complete the
operational constellation.
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is targeting liftoff at 7:46 p.m. Jan. 19, at the opening of a 40minute window…..
Homestead ARB
AF announces NAS JRB Fort Worth as the preferred
location for next F-35A base
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, / Published January 12, 2017
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/1048683/af-announces-nas-jrb-fort-worth-as-thepreferred-location-for-next-f-35a-base.aspx
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort
Worth, Texas, as the preferred location for the first Air Force Reserve-led F-35 base, which is expected to
begin receiving its first F-35As in the mid-2020s.
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida; and Whiteman AFB,
Missouri, will be considered as reasonable alternatives during the environmental analysis process which
must be completed before the Air Force makes a final basing decision.
"We selected the Air Force Reserve unit in Fort Worth because it is the location that meets all of the
necessary training requirements at the lowest cost,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James.
“Additionally, the location will provide mission synergy and access to an experienced workforce for
recruiting as a result of its proximity to the F-35 manufacturing plant.”
According to the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, the F-35 is even better than
advertised.
“In the hands of our Airmen, the F-35 will be the most lethal, survivable and adaptable aircraft in our
inventory for decades to come," Goldfein said. “No matter how you slice it, the F-35's stealth
characteristics, maneuverability, interoperability and its ability to make other aircraft better through
sensor fusion make it unmatched by any adversary."
In December 2016, the Air Force released the candidate bases for the next two Air National Guard-led F35 bases. The candidate bases included Dannelly Field Air Guard Station, Alabama; Gowen Field AGS,
Idaho; Jacksonville AGS, Florida; Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan; and Truax AGS,
Wisconsin.
The Air Force will be conducting on-the-ground site surveys at each candidate location assessing each
location against operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, infrastructure and
manpower, and then develop cost estimates to bed down the F-35A.
The preferred and reasonable alternatives for the ANG bases are expected to be selected in the summer of
2017.
The F-35As are expected to begin arriving at the second and third ANG locations in the early to mid2020s….
US Southern Command
Socom Commander Describes Complex Global
Security Threats
By Amaani LyleDoD News, Defense Media Activity
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1049020/socom-commander-describes-complex-global-securitythreats
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2017 — A spectrum of state and nonstate actors across multiple regions and
domains calls for a new way of harnessing the maritime domain, the commander of U.S. Southern
Command said at the Surface Navy Association’s 29th National Symposium here today.
At the three-day conference focusing on surface warfare, Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd said hybrid and
complex threats are here to stay on land, sea and every domain, globally.
“What this requires [is] a different way of thinking in how we control and dominate in the maritime
domain,” Tidd said. “If we’re going to be relevant, our thinking should be shaped by the realities of
today’s multipolar world, and it should reflect today’s transnational and transregional threats.”
Tidd said U.S. security interests are not challenged by a single adversary in one region, but by a range of
actors in multiple regions across multiple domains, simultaneously.
On the state actor side, Tidd said Iran routinely uses fast boats and unmanned aerial vehicles engaged in
belligerent and harassing activities in international waters. Meanwhile, he said, China creates artificial
islands that employ its navy, coast guard and scores of fishing vessels to challenge international norms
and rules……
Defense Industry
Bradenton lobbyist picked to run trade group
By: Business Observer, 08 January 2017
http://www.businessobserverfl.com/section/detail/bradenton-lobbyist-picked-to-run-to-trade-group/
BRADENTON — Area executive Gene Moran has been named executive director of the Florida Defense
Contractors Association.
A lobbying and business consultant and Manatee County resident, Moran is the founder and president of
Capitol Integration, a government relations firm with offices in Washington D.C. and Bradenton,
according to a statement. His focus is in the defense and security industries, the statement adds. Moran is
also a retired U.S. Navy Capitan.
In his new role with the FDCA, Moran will coordinate external communication, event programming and
membership matters. Moran was previously vice-chairman of the FDCA.
“I am excited for this new role with FDCA, particularly as the nation welcomes a new administration and
the discussion around our national security interests becomes even more prominent,” said Moran. “I am
grateful to the FDCA for this opportunity to continue to develop and strengthen the business interests of
Florida’s defense industry.”
DoD Budget
DOD R&D spending declined over last decade, CRS
said
BY MICHAEL FABEY, JAN 09, 2017
HTTPS://DEFENSESYSTEMS.COM/ARTICLES/2017/01/09/CRS.ASPX
There has been both positive and negative news for Pentagon IT and telecom services in recent contracting years,
according to a recently released report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
Between fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2015, Defense Department IT and telecom service contract obligations dropped by
about 16.1%, when adjusted for inflation, according the CRS report, “Defense Acquisitions: How and Where DOD
Spends and Reports Its Contracting Dollars.”
IT and telecom did much better compared to other sectors during the years, the report shows. Only eight other
sectors fared better, with only four – the purchase of facilities, education or training, general building supplies and
medical services – showing increases.
For some sectors, such as leases and construction of facilities, contract obligations dropped by more than 70%.
Research and development (R&D) funding is increasingly becoming more difficult to find, CRS said.
“For almost 20 years, DOD has dedicated an ever-smaller share of its contracting dollars to R&D, with such
contracts dropping from 18% of total contract obligations in FY1998 to 9% in FY2015,” CRS reported…..
Other Of Interest
MILITARY UPDATE: Avalanche of TRICARE
changes pose challenges
Posted Jan 6, 2017 at 2:07 PM, Tom Philpott | Syndicated Columnist
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170106/military-update-avalanche-of-tricare-changes-pose-challenges
The National Defense Authorization Act (S 2943) signed into law Dec. 23 orders an avalanche of changes
to the TRICARE health care benefit used by service members, retirees and their families. It also makes
sweeping reforms to how the military direct-care system is organized and operates.
The sheer number of changes and additional studies being mandated, filling 40 sections and 150 pages of
the Act, is more impressive than any short list of highlights we might be able to review here.
"There's a lot of good stuff in there. There's a lot of stuff we're still puzzling over," said Dr. Karen S.
Guice, acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. She will serve in that post only two more
weeks until the Trump administration assumes responsibility for the $50-billion-a-year military health
care system and a beneficiary population of 9.6 million.
The authorization act for fiscal 2017 "is full of ideas, concepts and new things for us to tackle," Guice
said in phone interview. She added that it contains "a remarkable series of provisions that set forth some
challenges (and) provides us with new authorities that we're greatly looking forward to."
But Guice emphasized that many new provisions to modernize TRICARE and improve access will only
accelerate reforms that the department already has been piloting or planning to adopt, though perhaps not
at the speed Congress desired. The department's guide has been recommendations of the 2014 Military
Healthcare System Review, which then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered to take a hard look at
performance and outcomes at military facilities and through civilian purchased care networks, Guice
said….
January 27
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – The next Task Force meeting will be a conference call on Thursday, 16
February 2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
New Access Code: 1869945
3. Avon Park Meeting Follow-up – Thanks to Commissioner Stewart, Lt Col “Ditka”
Edgar and Buck MacLaughlin for all their support and hospitality hosting our
meeting. Additionally, MG Calhoun who was unable to attend the Task Force meeting
had intended to have COL Tad Warfel present his member update; unfortunately, he was
unable to do so due to our telephone issues. His talking points are included for your
information (attached – 19Jan17 FDSTF TAG talking point). In accordance with Task
Force guidance, the signed Military Base Protection Program Tiers recommendation
letter was delivered to the Governor, The Senate President and the Speaker’s Office as
well as to leadership of EFI, DEO and DEP (copy of Governor’s letter attached). Finally,
the FDSTF 2016 Annual Report approved by the Task Force has been delivered to the
Governor, The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House ahead of the 1
February 2017 deadline established in F.S. 288.987(6). The report is available on line at
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/2016-FDSTF-Annual-Report.pdf.
4. Transition News – As President Trump settles into office, many positions and policies
will change. See attached documents “Restoring American Power” from Senator McCain
as well as the list of acting leadership released by the administration (attached).
5. BRAC Bill Introduced in HASC – According to an article in On Base with Dan Cohen,
“Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on Thursday said he would reintroduce legislation from
last year that would authorize a new round of base closures in 2019 and incorporate a
series of reforms intended to address lawmakers’ complaints about the escalating cost of
implementing the 2005 round and the prolonged wait for the recommendations to
generate net savings.” round. The bill can be seen at this link: http://democratsarmedservices.house.gov/_cache/files/7/4/748aa1f2-ddbf-4773-9bee3fa45a1a4039/2D5D0D58FCF2B3F5A7ABD6D755086141.smitwa-005-xml.pdf. In
addition to this news, see two articles below in the clips that reference Sen John
McCain’s support for a new BRAC round.
6. Florida House Committee Meeting – The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs
Subcommittee met on 25 January 2017. The meeting included an invitation for Bruce
Grant to provide the committee a presentation on the role of the Florida Defense Support
Task Force among other agenda items. The brief was well received. Terry McCaffrey
also attended the meeting.
7. State Policy Options to Sustain Military Installations – In their December 2016 report,
the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) discusses several important issues
directly related to the Task Force work and mission including the State Role in Managing
Military Operations, Encroachment and Compatible Land Use, as well as recommended
state options. Florida is often cited in the report including a case study on the FDSTF on
page 12 (report attached).
8. Military / Veteran Related Bills – There were five new bills filed over the last two
weeks.
 SB 0418 Relating to Soldiers' and Heroes' Monuments and Memorials Protection
Act (Steube)
Soldiers’ and Heroes’ Monuments and Memorials Protection Act; Citing this act
as the “Soldiers’ and Heroes’ Monuments and Memorials Protection Act”;
providing criminal penalties for criminal mischief that causes damage to certain
remembrances erected to honor or commemorate a soldier, a historical military
figure, a military organization, a military unit, a law enforcement officer, a
firefighter, or an astronaut, etc. Effective Date: 10/1/2017
 HB 0263 Relating to Veterans' Annual Sales Tax Holiday (Ponder)
Veterans' Annual Sales Tax Holiday: Creates annual sales tax holiday for
veterans; specifies eligible items; specifies documents that demonstrate proof of
military status; specifies reporting requirements of retailers; authorizes certain
retailers to opt out of sales tax holiday; authorizes DOR to adopt rules. Effective
Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 0253 Relating to Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Duran)
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program: Revises criteria for renewal of
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program awards to include minimum number
of volunteer service work hours; provides applicability; specifies requirements for
eligible volunteer service work; prohibits use of hours earned from certain work
to satisfy requirement; requires written & signed documentation of earned
volunteer service work hours; provides exception for student who enlists in
military service. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 0401 Relating to Notaries Public (Abruzzo)
Notaries Public: Expands list of forms of identification which notary public may
rely on in notarizing signature on document to include veteran health information
card. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 0440 Relating to Notaries Public (Gibson)
Notaries Public; Expanding the list of forms of identification which a notary
public may rely on in notarizing a signature on a document to include a veteran
health information card, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
9. Attachments:
 TPG Bi-weekly Memo
 TAG Talking Points for Task Force Meeting
 Team Orlando January News Letter (2017-January 10-4)
 Senator John McCain – Restoring American Military Power
 DoD Acting Secretaries Memo
 Copy of signed letter on Military Base Protection Program recommendation
 NCSL Report - Preparing for Duty - State Policy Options to Sustain Military
Installations
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
FDSTF
Washington Insider: Florida's Defense Future Mixed
By JIM ASH • JAN 19, 2017
http://news.wfsu.org/post/washington-insider-floridas-defense-future-mixed
Military spending in Florida hovers around $70 billion and the Florida Defense Support Task Force is
expecting that to continue, if not grow, under Commander in Chief Donald Trump
Former Veteran’s Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi, now a paid consultant, told task force members
that Trump’s campaign promises to beef up the military are being warmly received on Capitol Hill.
Military spending increases are already in the pipeline, Principi says. However, Principi also noted that
Marine General James "Mad Dog" Mattis, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, has been deliberately
vague about base closures.
“We believe that General Mattis is keeping his powder dry. That his answer was intended not to make
any headlines.”
Regardless, Principi says his sources are telling him to expect another round of base closings in fiscal
year 20-21.
Republican Representative Clay Ingram of Pensacola chairs the task force, an arm of the public-private
business development group, Enterprise Florida.
FL National Guard
Florida National Guard troops help out at
Trump’s inauguration
Kristina Webb, January 20, 2017
http://postonpolitics.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/01/20/florida-national-guard-troops-help-out-at-trumpsinauguration/
Members of the Florida National Guard are in Washington, D.C., to help local law enforcement with
President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
About 340 Sunshine State troops assisted U.S. Park Police with crowd control south of the Capitol, and
helped with cybersecurity efforts.
“Cyber security is an ever growing concern within the military services, as well as our government.
Cyber warfare is a very real threat and we must be ready to meet that threat and safeguard our
democracy,” said DCO Team Chief, Maj. Jennifer Hunt. “The Florida Army National Guard is honored to
play a role in the Presidential Inauguration and for the opportunity to serve on the forefront of cyber
defense operations for our nation.”
The Florida National Guard posted several images to its Facebook page showing its troops standing along
barricades, positioned amongst the crowd on the west lawn and directing traffic….
Nuclear blast exercise at Camp Blanding ensures
readiness for Florida National Guard
Posted January 25, 2017 06:28 am, By JOE DARASKEVICH, Times-Union
http://staugustine.com/2017-01-25/nuclear-blast-exercise-camp-blanding-ensures-readiness-florida-nationalguard
CAMP BLANDING | Men and women wearing bio-hazard suits used jack hammers and other heavy
equipment to dig through a pile of rubble Tuesday hoping to rescue citizens from debris after a mock
nuclear blast hit the area.
Some “victims” lost limbs or suffered severe injuries, and others died immediately in the explosion. They
were all covered in blood and had to be decontaminated because of radiation exposure before medics
responding to the scene could offer treatment.
The blood and casualties were fake, but the training was real to ensure the readiness of the Florida Air and
Army National Guard.
“The whole purpose of this is to support civil authorities,” said Maj. Dan Glick of the National Guard
Bureau. “This isn’t a military mission, we aren’t shooting guns, we aren’t dropping bombs. We’re using
military-trained personnel to support civilian authorities and that’s an asset that is incredible.”
Monday and Tuesday were basically dress rehearsals for an actual evaluation that will take place
Wednesday for the Florida National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield
Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP.
There are 203 members of the military who will be evaluated during Wednesday’s test, plus many more
who will be observing and organizing the drill. On top of that there are 51 civilians from the Northeast
Florida community who are being paid to play the role of victims injured in the nuclear blast.
Members of Jacksonville’s 125th Fighter Wing make up the representatives from the Air National Guard,
and people from four battalions throughout the state make up the Army National Guard contingent. They
were allowed to ask questions and seek guidance the first two days of the drill, but Wednesday they won’t
have that chance.
Lt. Col. Scott Fuller from the Joint Interagency Training Education Center in West Virginia is the
exercise commander for this week’s drill at Camp Blanding near Starke. He said his team will submit a
recommendation as to whether the Florida National Guard’s CERFP team is qualified once the testing is
complete…..
BRAC
McCain 'seriously considering' issue of military base
closures
BY KRISTINA WONG - 01/24/17 11:19 AM EST 96
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/315845-mccain-seriously-considering-issue-of-military-base-closures
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday that he is "seriously
considering" the possibility of closing excess military bases to cut down on waste.
McCain said during a committee hearing that he and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) "are seriously
considering the issue of [base closure and realignment (BRAC)]," referring to a process to close and
consolidate bases.
Despite tightening defense budgets in recent years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have opposed
closing excess military bases due to the negative impact it could have on local communities and
constituents.
But McCain said the issue needs to be confronted.
"We need to talk about and I think it has to be considered — as all things, it has to be on the table," he
said.
He suggested that even the reliance on BRAC is a "cowardly act because it shows we can't make the
tough decisions ourselves."
After the hearing, he told reporters, "I think we have to examine all of the options that we have to make
our military, our defense at the lowest possible cost to the American taxpayers. Right now we do have
excess properties and facilities, and I think we need to look at it.”
Asked whether base closures would be in the 2018 fiscal budget prepared by the Armed Services
Committees, he said, "I don't know. We're just starting the conversation. We're in the first week. [Defense
Secretary James Mattis] and I would have to discuss this."…..
McCain blasts congressional 'cowardice' in avoiding
base closings
By: Leo Shane III, January 24, 2017
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/mccain-brac-possible-cowardice
The head of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he will consider starting another military base
closing round in the near future, calling Congress’ handling of the issue “cowardice” and a threat to
military readiness.
"We need to talk about it, I think it has to be considered as all things should be on the table,” Sen. John
McCain, R-Ariz., said during a Tuesday committee hearing on the defense budget.
He said that committee ranking member Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., is “seriously considering the issue of
BRAC, and obviously we want to talk to now-Secretary of Defense (James Mattis) about it.”
Even discussing a possible base closing round would be a significant shift on Capitol Hill, where
lawmakers have been fiercely against the idea of shuttering bases in their districts.
Pentagon officials have repeatedly asked for a reexamination of the military’s domestic footprint with an
eye toward closing underused or outdated facilities. They estimate the five previous base closing rounds
since 1990 have saved taxpayers at least $12 billion annually……
Hurlburt Field
Dunn wins $49M contract to renovate Air Force clinic
in Florida
Jan 19, 2017, 8:01am CST, Rob Roberts, Reporter, Kansas City Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2017/01/19/air-force-hurlburt-field-medical-clinic-renovation.html
JE Dunn Construction has been awarded a $49.2 million contract to renovate a medical clinic for the U.S.
Air Force at Hurlburt Field in Mary Esther, Fla.
Kansas City-based JE Dunn, which is the 10th-largest domestic general building contractor in the United
States, was awarded the contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock District.
In association with Leawood-based Hoefer Wysocki Architecture, JE Dunn has designed and constructed
more than $650 million worth of health care facilities at 10 military bases across the country to support
the U.S. Air Force Healthcare Facilities Modernization Program over the past seven years.
The team is part of a federal government program that allows the team to competitively compete for the
design and construction of health care facilities across the country at active military bases against a select
pool of qualified teams.
The 81,000-square-foot medical complex at Hurlburt Field will be fully renovated and expanded by 2,200
square feet. The contract also includes outfitting the building with furnishings and medical equipment.
The project will be designed to achieve LEED Silver certification. Design and construction will take 39
months.
Hurlburt Field is home to the 1st Special Operations Medical Group, which serves 20,000 beneficiaries.
Its primary mission is to provide deployment medicine and readiness support for Air Commandos and
their families…..
Eglin AFB
Panhandle Military Base To Help Relocate Hundreds
Of Displaced Gopher Tortoises
By SASCHA CORDNER • JAN 20, 2017
http://news.wfsu.org/post/panhandle-military-base-help-relocate-hundreds-displaced-gopher-tortoises
When you think of gopher tortoise conservation efforts, what’s the first place that comes to mind? What
about a military base? Eglin Air Force Base is partnering with national and state wildlife officials on a
massive effort to help relocate hundreds of the threatened species.
In a promotional video, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hoping to get more
people—even kids—involved in protecting gopher tortoises.
The FWC also has other efforts underway to encourage gopher tortoise conservation. That
includes providing financial incentives worth thousands of dollars to local governments willing to
improve the reptile’s habitats, like prescribed burning.
“Even invasive species removal can qualify for up to $15,000 in reimbursement, and the theory there is
by increasing or improving gopher tortoise habitats, you’re also increasing the potential for the
commensal species—there’s 362 commensal species that rely on the gopher tortoise burrow for either
survival or to escape predators or extreme temperatures,” said Alex Kalfin with the FWC’s Gopher
Tortoise Conservation Program. “So, by managing for the gopher tortoise, you’re basically managing for
all these other species as well.”
FWC also partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Eglin Air Force Base to relocate at least
500 gopher tortoises over the next year to the military base in the Panhandle…..
Local VA Clinic to Increase Capacity, Care
PULSE STAFFJANUARY 24, 2017MILITARY & DEFENSEOKALOOSA/WALTON
HTTP://PULSEGULFCOAST.COM/2017/01/LOCAL-VA-CLINICINCREASE-CAPACITY-CARE
The local Veterans Affairs clinic broke ground this month at Eglin Air Force Base on an expansion
project that will increase the clinic’s ability to provide primary care and behavioral health services.
The project is expected to be completed in 18 months and will improve the clinic’s ability to handle the
7,921 patients serviced during fiscal year 2016.
“This gathering [was] much more than a groundbreaking ceremony, but a testament to our continued,
unwavering support to our veteran population,” said Col. Evelyn Yao, 96th Medical Group commander.
“This clinic expansion represent the growth and strong foundation of our collaborative relationship.”
The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System and Eglin’s medical facilities have a resource sharing
agreement, which allows the Eglin Hospital to provide VA patient services like dental, general surgery,
and urology to name a few. VA patients are most frequently referred to the hospital for orthopedic
surgery. Additionally, this partnership reduces the need for veterans to travel to another facility like the
Joint Ambulatory Care Center in Pensacola for certain specialty care services, or even to the VA hospital
in Biloxi, Miss…..
NSA Panama City
'A Game Changer'
Posted Jan 22, 2017 at 2:40 PM, By Collin Breaux 747-5081 | @PCNHCollinB | [email protected]
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170122/a-game-changer
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY PANAMA CITY - A new program being developed locally could
reduce the time and effort that goes into programming the Navy's unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
Scientists and engineers at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) have
developed what they call Autonomy in a Box, a way to use cloud-based software to upload mission
information into the UUVs.
The vehicles frequently are resued for different military missions, requiring updates to their
programming. Autonomy in a Box - though not in an actual box - offers a quicker, simpler way to make
those updates.
"It's a very labor-intensive process. It's difficult for the sailor," Research engineer Matt Bays said of the
old method. "It took weeks before. Now it can take hours."
The team began its fix to the lengthy programming turnaround after receiving funding from the Office of
Naval Research in October 2015. Bays, who worked with several others on the program, said before the
breakthrough the UUVs had to be physically opened and have hardware removed and new software
installed for new missions. The work could only be handled by Navy sailors with special training or
specially designated contractors.
Tyndall AFB
NORAD to conduct exercise over Southern Florida
Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 8:46 am
http://www.riverlandnews.com/content/norad-conduct-exercise-over-southern-florida
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – North American Aerospace Defense Command aircraft will
conduct exercise flights today between Greenville and Inverness, Florida, as the fighter aircraft practice
intercept and identification procedures. The exercise will occur between 10:00 a.m. and noon EST.
Florida residents between Greenville and Inverness may hear and/or see low-flying NORAD-controlled
fighter jets in close proximity to civilian aircraft, which will be taking on the role of an aircraft of
interest.
In order to test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD continuously conducts exercises with a
variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown
aircraft. All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled.
Although they are scheduled to begin in the morning, the flights could be delayed for 24 hours or
cancelled due to weather.
NORAD has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout Canada and the U.S. since the start of
Operation Noble Eagle, the command’s response to the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.
NORAD is the bi-national Canadian and American command that provides maritime warning, aerospace
warning and aerospace control for Canada and the United States. The command has three subordinate
regional headquarters: the Alaskan NORAD Region at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; the
Canadian NORAD Region at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, Manitoba; and the Continental NORAD
Region at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
NS Mayport
Jacksonville’s label of military town safe thanks to
new assets coming to area
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted January 15, 2017 03:56pm
http://jacksonville.com/news/2017-01-15/jacksonville-s-label-military-town-safe-thanks-new-assets-comingarea
Jacksonville’s longtime label as a military town is safe for the foreseeable future, thanks to a new class of
ship bringing sailors and money back to the area.
Each littoral combat ship based at Mayport Naval Station can operate with a base crew of about 55 sailors
although more crew members are required for certain missions.
But more than the men and women on board will impact the city. All the training for the Freedom-variant
littoral ships will take place at Mayport, and each ship has a crew system of two crews each.
That means more people and more money for Jacksonville.
Long lines of vehicles waiting to get through the gate at Mayport were common in the days when an
aircraft carrier called the base home and frigates were docked three deep at the pier. But traffic slowed
significantly when the USS John F. Kennedy was decommissioned in 2007 and Mayport’s era of Perryclass frigates came to a close in 2015….
Mayport cruisers set to deploy Saturday with carrier
strike group
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted January 20, 2017 11:22 am - Updated January 23, 2017 09:16 am
http://jacksonville.com/news/2017-01-20/mayport-cruisers-set-deploy-saturday-carrier-strike-group
A pair of guided-missile cruisers will depart Mayport Naval Station early Saturday to deploy with the
George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group as part of a regular rotation of forces.
The Mayport-based cruisers USS Hue City and USS Philippine Sea will leave the basin Saturday with
more than 600 sailors headed for the Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
The deployment will support maritime security operations, provide crisis response, increase theater
security cooperation and forward naval presence in areas of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean
Sea and waters as far as India. There are nearly 6,000 sailors attached to the strike group, mostly based in
Norfolk, Va.
Air squadrons from several Navy bases, including Jacksonville Naval Air Station, will join the group…..
MacDill AFB
Sea level rise could have water lapping at Tampa's
edges in 2040, study says
Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer, Friday, January 20, 2017 9:04am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/sea-level-rise-could-have-water-lapping-at-tampas-edges-in-2040study-says/2310269
TAMPA — Rising sea levels could swell Tampa Bay 5 to 19 inches over the next quarter-century,
sending more water to lap at the edges of the city of Tampa.
That's one conclusion of a new analysis from the Hillsborough City-County Planning Commission, which
looked at how potential sea-level rise could affect Tampa and its most flood-prone areas through the year
2040.
"This is actually one of the biggest challenges, if not the biggest challenge, that this region has," says
Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen, whose low-lying South Tampa district already is checkered
with flood-prone neighborhoods. He ticks off the challenges affected by rising water: transportation,
infrastructure, development, having clean drinking water.
"All these things are inter-related," he says. "Our economic future is dependent on us being dry and us not
being so threatened by flooding that people can't live, work and play."
Other local governments around the bay are doing similar work.
In 2015, Pinellas and Pasco county governments had representatives on a Tampa Bay-wide Climate
Science Advisory Panel that concluded the region's nearly 700 miles of shoreline could see sea levels rise
between 6 inches and 2.5 feet in 2050 and from 1 to 7 feet in 2100…..
Cape Canaveral AFS
Historic Cape Canaveral building gets new Lockheed
Martin tenants
Monday, Jan 16, 2017
http://www.yourindustrynews.com/historic+cape+canaveral+building+gets+new+lockheed+martin+tenants_139463
.html
The U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) cut the ribbon on a newly-renovated facility at
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Jan. 4. Nearly 200 Lockheed Martin employees who work on the
Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile program will move into the facility over the next few months.
The government facility, which is known as the Engineering and Operations (or E&O) building, was
originially constructed in 1961 for NASA’s first manned spaceflight program, Project Mercury. The
company has been renovating the facility since June, and the first employees move in this week.
“We are honored to be moving into a building with such a strong heritage,” said Eric Scherff, vice
president of Lockheed Martin’s Fleet Ballistic Missile program. “By increasing our workforce here at
Cape Canaveral, we are able to expand our local partnership with Navy Strategic Systems Programs to
deliver more affordable support to this critical weapon system testing and sustainment mission.”
In 2015, Lockheed Martin announced plans to bring 130 jobs to Cape Canaveral by 2017, and many of
the building’s residents will fill those positions. By the end of 2017, Lockheed Martin expects to have
nearly 720 employees who work on the Fleet Ballistic Missile program in Brevard County….
Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches Missile
Warning Satellite From Cape Canaveral
21 January 2017, 8:19 am EST, By Andrew Norman Tech Times
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/193742/20170121/atlas-v-rocket-successfully-launches-missile-warning-satellitefrom-cape-canaveral.htm
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched the Atlas V rocket from Florida's Cape
Canaveral on Friday, Jan. 20.
The launch that was initially scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19 was postponed due to some glitch in the
sensor when the restricted area was fouled by an aircraft. The ULA's Atlas V rocket took off from the
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 7:42 p.m. ET, on a mission that is valued around $1.2 billion.
Patrick AFB
45th SW supports successful SBIRS GEO Flight 3
launch
By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs, Published January 20, 2017
http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1055918/45th-sw-supports-successful-sbirs-geo-flight-3launch
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing
supported United Launch Alliance’s successful launch of the third Space Based Infrared Systems
Geosynchronous Earth Orbit spacecraft aboard an Atlas V rocket from Launch Complex 41 here Jan. 20
at 7:42 p.m. ET.
Today’s successful launch of SBIRS GEO Flight 3 marks the third SBIRS satellite to be launched from
CCAFS since 2011 and continues the replacement of the Defense Support Program constellation which
has been in operation since 1970.
The SBIRS team is led by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s Remote Sensing
Systems Directorate, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. SBIRS is designed to provide global
persistent infrared surveillance capability to meet 21st century demands in mission areas including missile
warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.
The launch is the first major launch operation of 2017 on the Eastern Range and kicks off what is
predicted to be a busy year on the Eastern Range…..
Homestead AFB
Ros-Lehtinen Disappointed That New F-35A Fighter
Jets Will Not Be Stationed At Homestead Air Reserve
Base
Jan 12, 2017
http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/press-release/ros-lehtinen-disappointed-new-f-35a-fighter-jets-will-not-be-stationedhomestead-air
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27) made the following statement regarding the
announcement that the first Reserve-led F-35A program will not be stationed at Homestead Air Reserve
Base (HARB). In 2016, Ros-Lehtinen led two bipartisan letters to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee
James advocating for the placement of this program at HARB.
Statement by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen:
“I’m disappointed that Homestead Air Reserve Base was not chosen to host the nation’s first Reserve-led
F-35A program. Given HARB’s strategic importance to our community and nation, I will be asking the
incoming administration to review this decision as quickly as practical. HARB’s 482nd Fighter Wing,
with the ability to deploy anywhere around the world, was a natural partner for this program in addition to
its advantages when it comes to runways, storage, and space. However, I am hopeful that the Air Force
will choose to place and implement other programs in our beautiful community in the near future.”
Energy
AF introduces new Energy Flight Plan
Air Force Staff Report / Published January 17, 2017
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/1050920/af-introduces-new-energy-flight-plan.aspx
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force introduced a new Energy Flight Plan, signed by Miranda
Ballentine, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy, on Jan. 6.
Following the direction established by the Air Force 30 Year Strategy and the Strategic Master Plan, the
Energy Flight Plan identified a long-term vision for the Air Force to enhance mission assurance through
energy assurance.
“This plan, along with our recent policies, codifies the importance energy resiliency has to the Air Force
mission and identifies how we are going to move forward,” Ballentine said. “We need to take a holistic
approach to energy projects to provide resilient, cost-effective, cleaner energy solutions to ensure we can
continue to operate when our energy supplies are interrupted.”
Throughout the last year, the Air Force continued to improve how it manages energy by advancing new
approaches and developing new projects.
In February 2016, the Air Force stood up the Office of Energy Assurance to take an enterprise-wide
approach to facilitate energy projects that provide resilient, cost-effective, cleaner power to Air Force
installations. It also established the Resilient Energy Demonstration Initiative to develop and deploy
innovative energy resilience technologies and business models that could later be used across the Air
Force…..
Fla. Public-Private Solar Partnership Is Building 120 MW
on Military Land
Posted by Joseph Bebon on January 20, 2017
http://solarindustrymag.com/fla-public-private-solar-partnership-is-building-120-mw-on-military-land
Work is well under way on a 120 MW solar project portfolio sited on U.S. Department of Defense
property in northwest Florida.
During a ceremony earlier this week, executives from Florida-based utility Gulf Power and Coronal
Energy, powered by Panasonic, joined officials from Eglin Air Force Base and Naval Air Station (NAS)
Pensacola to mark the installation of the first two PV panels on two large-scale solar projects.
The projects at Eglin Air Force Base and NAS Pensacola’s Navy Outlying Landing Field (NOLF)
Saufley, along with a third project at NAS Whiting Field’s NOLF Holley, comprise the Gulf Coast Solar
Center Portfolio. When complete, the combined facilities will be among Florida’s largest solar projects,
with approximately 1.5 million solar panels capable of generating up to 120 MW of electricity – enough
energy to power approximately 18,000 homes annually.
Unanimously approved by the Florida Public Service Commission in April 2015, the projects will provide
energy to Gulf Power customers across northwest Florida.
Stan Connally, Gulf Power chairman, president and CEO, said, “We’re proud to work with Coronal
Energy, powered by Panasonic, the Air Force and the Navy as we work toward meeting critical energy
needs, as well as the energy needs of the region. Gulf Power is investing in smart renewables such as
these solar projects that make economic sense for our customers as part of a balanced energy mix.”…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed CEO: F-35A Price to Drop Below $100M in
Next Contract
By: Valerie Insinna, January 24, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/lockheed-ceo-f-35a-price-to-drop-below-100m-in-nextcontract?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DNR%201.24.17&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
WASHINGTON — A deal for the tenth lot of F-35s will put the Air Force’s A model under $100 million
per plane for the first time, and Lockheed Martin is on track to bring unit costs for an F-35A to $85
million in 2019, the company’s CEO said Tuesday.A comparison with past estimates shows that these
figures are on track with Defense Department and Lockheed’s own expectations, and do not necessarily
reflect a decrease in unit prices caused by President Trump’s public critique of the program.
Trump has been hammering the joint strike fighter since December, frequently stating that the price of the
aircraft is “out of control” and calling for an alternative in Boeing’s Super Hornet.
During a Tuesday earnings call, Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson defended the company’s trajectory of
cost reduction, citing its Blueprint for Affordability initiatives. Perhaps even more fascinatingly, she
painted Lockheed’s relationship with the new president as cooperative — a depiction at odds with the
more antagonistic tenor of Trump’s public comments about the fighter jet.
“His focus is on, how do we drive the cost down aggressively, and I think we, along with our industry
partners, are right in line with him on doing that. We have a lot of ideas on how we can do that in the
future” she said.
“The meetings that we've had have been very productive, very good dialogue. He asks excellent questions
and he is really focused on making sure that costs come down on the program,” she said. “It's not about
slashing our profit. It's not about our margins.”…..
DoD Budget
Report: Day-to-day operation costs eat up half of the
defense budget
By: Shawn Snow, January 13, 2017
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/operation-maintenance-251-billion-dollars-defense-budget-congressionalbudget-office
Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs ate up roughly $251 billion, or 50 percent of the U.S. defense
budget, when overseas contingency operations (OCO) were accounted for in 2015, according to
a report prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
“Over the past few decades, funding for O&M has increased substantially, accounting for a growing share
of DoD’s budget. That growth has occurred even as the number of active-duty military personnel has
remained flat or declined,” the report reads.
However, due to the extremely complex nature of O&M funds and the diversity of goods and services it
provides, it is not exactly known why costs continue to rise.
Military health care, civilian defense personnel pay and fuel were highlighted as a potential culprit, which
“accounts for about 60 percent of the long-term growth in O&M funding,” the CBO explained.
Maintenance of equipment and weapon systems also saw a significant spike in O&M funding, likely
attributed to the past 15 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan the CBO report reads.
Military personnel and weapons procurement contributed to a much smaller share of defense spending at
27 percent and 19 percent, respectively. However, these figures don’t account for overseas operations.
In 2015, Congress appropriated $64 billion for overseas operations, of which $51 billion was consumed
on O&M — in other words, 80 percent of these funds went to O&M…..
Citing ‘weakened’ military, McCain details $430 billion
plan to boost Defense budget
By Jared Serbu, January 17, 2017 4:10 am
http://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2017/01/citing-weakened-military-mccain-details-430-billion-plan-boostdefense-budget/
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Monday became the first senior political leader to sketch out a detailed
vision for what Defense budgets might look like under a Republican-controlled government, arguing that
military spending must grow by $430 billion from currently planned levels over the next five years in
order to cauterize the “bleeding” he said the military was suffering because of recent budget cuts.
In a 33-page white paper, McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Defense
spending should be immediately boosted to $640 billion in 2018, $91 billion more than allowed for that
year under the current Budget Control Act caps and $54 billion, or 9 percent, more than the Obama
Administration proposed.
From there, he said spending would need to continue to grow by another 4 percent in each of the
following five years.
“It is not cheap,” McCain acknowledged. “The cost of further inaction, however, is worse … should we
find ourselves in conflict, our nation will be forced to send young Americans into battle without sufficient
training or equipment to fight a war that will take longer, be larger, cost more, and ultimately claim more
American lives than it otherwise would have. That is the course we are on.”….. (McCain’s paper
attached)
Senators drill down on 2018 defense spending
By Sean D. Carberry, Jan 25, 2017
https://fcw.com/articles/2017/01/25/mccain-sasc-defense-spending.aspx
SASC Chairman Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wants $54 billion in new defense spending for fiscal year
2018.
With the ink newly dry on the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress is starting the process
of formulating the 2018 defense budget.
Coming on the heels of a white paper produced by Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) that proposed $430
billion in additional defense spending over the next five years, the Senate Armed Services Committee
held its first hearing Jan. 24 on priorities for FY 2018 defense spending.
"President Trump is now commander-in-chief of a military that is underfunded, undersized, and unready
to meet the diverse and complex array of threats confronting our nation," McCain said in his opening
remarks.
"We have to invest in the modern capabilities necessary for the new realities of deterring conflict," he
continued. "Our adversaries have gone to school on the American way of war, and they are investing
heavily in advanced capabilities to counter it. After years of taking our military advantage for granted, we
are now at serious risk of losing it."
McCain is proposing a baseline budget of $640 billion in 2018, $54 billion above current plans.
The senator from Arizona doubled down on this sentiment at a Jan. 24 hearing of the Senate Homeland
Security and Government Affairs Committee. McCain took Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), President
Trump's nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget, to task over votes to cut military
spending and troops…..
Other Of Interest
Wounded Veterans Invited to Participate in Upcoming
Hunting, Fishing Trips at No Cost
Jan 17, 2017
http://www.freshfromflorida.com/News-Events/Press-Releases/2017-Press-Releases/Wounded-Veterans-Invited-toParticipate-in-Upcoming-Hunting-Fishing-Trips-at-No-Cost
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam invites Florida's
wounded veterans to register for upcoming outdoor recreational events across the state through the
“Operation Outdoor Freedom” program. In the next three months, there are more than a dozen
recreational events, like hunting and fishing, available to wounded veterans across Florida. Since the
program was launched in 2011, more than 2,500 wounded veterans have participated in “Operation
Outdoor Freedom” events at no cost.
Eligible veterans can visit OperationOutdoorFreedom.com today to register for upcoming events.
See additional information on each event.
“Operation Outdoor Freedom is a special way of connecting the natural resources our state is blessed with
to the men and women who've courageously and selflessly put their lives on the line,” said Commissioner
of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “It's the least we can do for those who have done so much for us.”…
Trump picks former congresswoman and Air Force
veteran Heather Wilson as Air Force secretary
By Dan Lamothe January 23 at 1:11 PM
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/01/23/trump-picks-former-congresswoman-and-airforce-veteran-heather-wilson-as-air-force-secretary/?utm_term=.d218ad7edd5e
President Trump will nominate a former congresswoman and veteran who served on the National Security
Council during President George H.W. Bush’s administration to be his Air Force secretary, the White
House said Monday.
Former representative Heather A. Wilson (R-N.M.) is currently the president of the South Dakota School
of Mines and Technology, a science and engineering university in Rapids City, S.D. She was the first
female veteran elected to a full term in Congress, and left the House in 1999 after a failed primary run for
the Senate seat now held by Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.). She served in the Air Force in the 1980s after
graduating from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, leaving as a captain, and was a Rhode
Scholar.
“Heather Wilson is going to make an outstanding Secretary of the Air Force,” Trump said in a statement.
“Her distinguished military service, high level of knowledge, and success in so many different fields
gives me great confidence that she will lead our nation’s Air Force with the greatest competence and
integrity.”
Tampa steals major defense industry event from
Austin
Jan 25, 2017, 7:56am EST, Margie Manning, Finance Editor, Tampa Bay Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/01/25/tampa-steals-major-defense-industry-event-from.html
After five years in Austin, the Department of Defense Innovation Summit is moving to Tampa.
The summit, expected to draw more than 2,000 people, is an opportunity for Tampa Bay entrepreneurs
and innovators to showcase their companies and technology.
The Department of Defense chose Tampa for the event because of the innovation economy growing in the
region and proximity to the United States Special Operations Command and MacDill Air Force Base,
said Marc Blumenthal, CEO of Florida Funders.
Blumenthal announced the new location during the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Innovation Summit,
which Florida Funders sponsored.
The defense event is scheduled Oct. 3-Oct. 5 at the Tampa Convention Center.
USSOCOM spends about $500 million a year on research and development, and about $8 billion a year
total, but little or none of that goes to Tampa, said James “Hondo” Geurts, acquistion executive and
director of SQF AT&L for USSOCOM, and one of the speakers at the Innovation Summit.
Bill would simplify state residency rules for military
spouses
By: Leo Shane III, January 25, 2017
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/military-spouses-state-residency-bill
Military spouses would be able to simplify their state residency status -- and their tax bills -- under new
legislation introduced by a pair of Republican lawmakers this week.
The measure is designed to untangle the sometimes complicated residency rules surrounding military
families, whose frequent duty assignment changes and cross-country moves can leave a confusing trail of
paperwork.
Bill sponsors Rob Wittman, R-Va., and Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said simplifying those rules could lead to
fewer financial problems for those families and even help military spouses continue their careers as they
jump from state to state.
“The last thing our military families need is additional stress during tax season,” Wittman said in a
statement. “Allowing military families to establish a consistent state of residency will give spouses the
confidence to rejoin the workforce when they move and help them better provide for their families.”
Under current law, servicemembers are allowed to stay residents of the state where they enlisted for tax
and voting purposes for the duration of their military careers. Troops who sign up at a recruiting station in
Florida, for example, are considered Florida residents even if their military assignments take them to
other states or countries. ….
Rubio Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to
Authorize Five VA Medical Leases in Florida
JAN 25 2017
HTTP://WWW.RUBIO.SENATE.GOV/PUBLIC/INDEX.CFM/PRESS-RELEASES?ID=0D788A4D-964F-4F429639-F5AE80AFB227
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today joined a group of 16 other senators in
reintroducing the Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act, legislation that would authorize pending leases
for 24 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities in 15 states, including five in Florida. The
bill seeks to improve veteran’s access to healthcare through the approval of medical leases, which would
allow the VA to open much-needed healthcare facilities.
“Our veterans have fought selflessly to defend our country and protect our freedoms, and they deserve
easy and convenient access to quality healthcare” said Rubio. “I will do everything it takes to ensure
Florida’s veterans get the care they need, when they need it. These outpatient clinics in Daytona Beach,
Gainesville, Jacksonville, Ocala and Tampa will allow veterans in Florida to receive outpatient care close
to home, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to help us pass this legislation as soon as possible.”
The bill would authorize the following leases in Florida:





Daytona Beach – Outpatient Clinic
Gainesville – Outpatient Clinic
Jacksonville – Outpatient Clinic
Ocala – Outpatient Clinic
Tampa – Outpatient Clinic
February 3
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – The next Task Force meeting will be a conference call on Thursday, 16
February 2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
New Access Code: 1869945
2. FDSTF FY 2017-2018 Grant Application Window Open – FDSTF has opened an
additional FY17-18 grant application cycle between February 1 and February 15, 2017
under the following criteria:
 Funding is required to protect installations and must have emerged since the
original grant application period in October of 2016.
 Funding is required to meet an urgent need which does not qualify for a DEO
FY2017-2018 Defense Infrastructure Grant (DIG) or Defense Reinvestment Grant
(DRG) – Request for Proposals (RFP) for these grants also released this week.
 Funding is required to avoid an undue hardship where lack of funding would have
a severely negative impact on a military installation.
 Requests must use and also meet all criteria stated in the Grant Application dated
September 27, 2016 available at https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wpcontent/uploads/FDSTF-Grant-Funding-Application-2017-2018.pdf.
 Applicants who submitted requests for funding during the October 2016 open
application period need not reapply.
An example of this type of funding need is the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce
grant to relocate and add directional signage to the Naval Aviation Museum. The change
in gate access by museum visitors was driven by unforeseen / short notice force
protection changes and caused an undue hardship on base security resources and
personnel. Additionally, the economic impact of the change in gate access resulted in the
loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
3. DEO Announces DIG/DRG Cycle: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
has released the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 grant funding application for the Florida Defense
Infrastructure Grant (DIG) and the Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG)
Programs. The request for application and associated documents are available for
reference on the Florida Vendor Bid System at the following websites: For DIGs go
to: http://www.myflorida.com/apps/vbs/vbs_www.ad_r2.view_ad?advertisement_key_n
um=131200 and for DRGs go
to: http://www.myflorida.com/apps/vbs/vbs_www.ad_r2.view_ad?advertisement_key_n
um=131198. Please note that the deadline for submission is March 2, 2017, 3:00 PM
EST for both programs. Please direct all questions to: Sonja Strickland, P: (850) 2457472; Fax: (850) 245-7470; 107 E. Madison Street, B047 Caldwell Building Tallahassee,
FL 32399; or Email: [email protected]. Electronic copies of the
solicitation attachments are available for reference in Microsoft Word format on the
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Procurement page at the following
4.
5.
6.
7.
website: http://www.floridajobs.org/office-directory/division-of-finance-andadministration/our-offices/procurement.
Florida Defense Alliance (FDA) Meeting – FDA held their quarterly meeting by
conference call on 31 January 2017. The group discussed several topics including an
update from DEO where they indicated their intent to release the FY2017-2018 Defense
Infrastructure Grant (DIG) and Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) Request for
Proposals (RFP) process this week. The deadline for submitting applications for that
program will be March 2, 2017. In addition, local defense communities gave updates on
actions and events in their respective areas. Terry McCaffrey gave an update on the Task
Force and Bruce Grant filled in the FDA in on current military and defense related bills
filed with the Florida Legislature so far this year. The next FDA meeting will take place
in Tallahassee on March 15, 2017 (the day prior to the March FDSTF meeting) and focus
on “Energy Resiliency” as well as hosting the normal working groups. (Agenda attached)
FDSTF White Paper on Oil Drilling and Military Mission Compatibility – The Task
Force approved the release of the attached paper that supports the current strategic plan
by making a recommendation that Florida must maintain a united front in supporting an
extension of the current moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico east of the Military
Mission Line (MML). To allow drilling east of the MML would mean loss of range areas
and possible relocation of aircraft/bases to other unrestricted range areas. (paper attached)
NAS Whiting Field Visit – On February 1, 2017 the Principi Group accompanied by
RADM Jim Hinkle conducted a visit of Whiting Field. The visit included a
briefing/Q&A with the Commanding Officer, CAPT Tod Bahlau and Mr. Randy Roy,
Navy Operational Liaison Officer; a windshield tour of NAS Whiting; and a working
lunch with the Santa Rosa Military Affair Committee. The meeting served as an
outstanding update on all the activity at Whiting and the Santa Rosa MAC. Terry
McCaffrey attended the meeting for the Task Force.
Military / Veteran Related Bills Filed This Week – There were six new bills filed last
week (summary of all bills we are tracking attached).
 SB 0598 Relating to Elections (Gibson)
Elections; Revising a reference to the deadline for a person who cast a provisional
ballot to present evidence verifying authenticity of certain information in a voter
registration application, to conform; requiring the supervisor to allow a person
who voted a provisional ballot to present identification and submit an affidavit to
cure an unsigned Provisional Ballot Voter’s Certificate and Affirmation or a
provisional ballot rejected due to a signature discrepancy; requiring the supervisor
to allow submission of an affidavit to cure signature discrepancies on a vote-bymail ballot, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 SB 7008 Relating to Department of Veterans' Affairs Direct-support Organization
(Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security)
Department of Veterans' Affairs Direct-support Organization; Abrogating the
scheduled repeal of provisions governing a direct-support organization established
by the department, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 SB 7010 Relating to Department of Military Affairs Direct-support Organization
(Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security)
Department of Military Affairs Direct-support Organization; Abrogating the
scheduled repeal of provisions governing a direct-support organization established
under the department, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 SB 0644 Relating to Openly Carrying A Handgun (Steube)
Openly Carrying A Handgun; Authorizing a concealed weapons or firearms
licensee to openly carry a handgun, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 HB 0615 Relating to Professional Regulation (Renner)
Professional Regulation: Creates the Occupational Opportunity Act; revises
length of time active duty servicemember may remain in good standing with
administrative board; requires that spouse or surviving spouse be kept in good
standing & be exempt from licensure renewal provisions; requires DBPR to issue
professional license to spouse or surviving spouse of active duty member;
provides requirements related to application, fees, & renewal; provides for fee
waiver for specified persons. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 2279 Relating to Home Builders Institute (HBI) - Building Careers for
Veterans (Santiago)
Home Builders Institute (HBI) - Building Careers for Veterans: Provides an
appropriation for the Home Builders Institute (HBI) - Building Careers for
Veterans. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
8. Attachments:
 FDA Quarterly Meeting Agenda
 White Paper on Oil Drilling and Military Mission Compatibility
 January Principi Report
 Military and Veteran Friendly Bill Summary
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
BRAC
Senior House Democrat pushes new BRAC legislation,
with possible support from Senate
By Jared Serbu | @jserbuWFED, January 27, 2017 4:42 am
http://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2017/01/senior-house-democrat-pushes-new-brac-legislation-possible-supportsenate/
The House Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat said Thursday that he plans to reintroduce
legislation that would allow the Defense Department to conduct a new round of base realignments and
closures (BRAC). The idea has proved to be a losing proposition on both sides of Capitol Hill for several
consecutive years, but could gain new support from the Senate in 2017.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said his bill would authorize a new BRAC round in 2019 in an effort to help
reduce an excess real estate inventory that, according to the Pentagon, currently stands at about 22
percent. Congress has not authorized any base closures since a 2005 round that lawmakers have criticized
for taking too long and being too costly.
“We should not be wasting hard-earned taxpayer money to maintain excess infrastructure that DoD has
determined it does not need,” Smith said in a statement.
He has made the same argument for several consecutive years as one of only a few lawmakers willing to
publicly advocate for more base closures, but has made little headway with colleagues. Last year, he
offered and later withdrew a BRAC amendment from the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of
the annual Defense bill over jurisdictional issues; it never saw a vote on the House floor.
Congress formally begins the process for a new BRAC
Tristan Navera, Senior Reporter, Dayton Business Journal, Jan 27, 2017, 2:58pm EST
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2017/01/27/congress-formally-begins-the-process-for-a-new.html
A leading Congressman has introduced legislation to authorize another base realignment and closure
process, which could have a major impact on Dayton's economy.
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., a top member of the House Armed Services Committee, has introduced
legislation that would authorize a new BRAC round. In a BRAC, or Base Realignment and Closure
process, the Department of Defense studies all of its military installations and closes or consolidates some
of them in order to cut costs.
The bill, as written, calls for "fair and transparent process that will result in the timely consolidation,
closure, and realignment of military installations inside the United States and will realize improved
efficiencies in the cost and management of military installations, and for other purposes."
The DoD would establish a list of suggestions for the President, which would then go to Congress.
According to the bill, an infrastructure analysis has found there is 22 percent excess capacity of
infrastructure across the Department of Defense, about a third of it in the Air Force — and reducing it
could save the DoD $2 billion a year. While it's not clear when such a process could be implemented, it
could be added into the next defense budget and see base reviews as soon as 2019.
This comes days after U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he and U.S. Sen Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
could renew efforts for a BRAC this year with Secretary of Defense James Mattis. The two are the top
members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
NAS Jacksonville
New commissary opens Thursday with limited parking
at Jacksonville Naval Air Station
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted February 1, 2017 09:31 am - Updated February 1, 2017 09:57 am
http://jacksonville.com/news/2017-02-01/new-commissary-opens-thursday-limited-parking-jacksonville-naval-airstation
The new commissary at Jacksonville Naval Air Station opens for business Thursday although parking
will be an issue for shoppers until a new lot is built.
Active military, their dependents and retired military can check out the new store following a ribbon
cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. The new facility is 64,000 square feet, which is 18,000 square feet larger than
the old one.
The old store closes for good Wednesday, and employees will have about a month to transfer goods into
the new facility. At that point the old commissary will be demolished to make room for a 500-spot
parking lot.
The project started with a groundbreaking ceremony in February 2015 and was completed with a $30
million budget, according to base officials. Goods at the commissary come with a 5 percent surcharge —
which was used to cover the entire construction budget…..
MacDill AFB
MacDill Air Force Base ferry closer to reality
Feb 1, 2017, 5:17pm EST, Janelle Irwin, Reporter, Tampa Bay Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/02/01/macdill-air-force-base-ferry-closer-to-reality.html
Ferry service connecting South Hillsborough County to MacDill Air Force Basemay soon be coming,
after Hillsborough County Commissioners said they plan to spend $750,000 on a professional design and
engineering study to begin the process of creating a route.
Commissioner Sandra Murman took the matter even further, proposing the county should create a ferry
route, along with ancillary transportation service to connect riders from their home or office to the dock.
Both motions were approved unanimously.
“We would have a very strong commuter service that would reduce the travel on our roadways by
100,000 miles each day,” Murman said.
She said the route is ideal for transit because there are 8,000 employees at MacDill and South County
residency is on the rise.
During a test trip in November, the existing Cross Bay Ferry that currently runs between downtown
Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg clocked the MacDill route to the Apollo Beach area at about 12
minutes. The same route by car takes 45 minutes, longer with traffic issues…..
Cape Canaveral AFS
Prepping for Re-Launch: SpaceX Test-Fires Used
Falcon 9 Rocket
By Mike Wall, Space.com Senior Writer | February 1, 2017 06:30am ET
http://www.space.com/35534-spacex-test-fires-landed-rocket-photo.html
SpaceX is gearing up for its first-ever launch of a used rocket.
Last week, SpaceX test-fired the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket that launched the CRS-8 International
Space Station resupply mission last April, company representatives said Tuesday (Jan. 31). The same
rocket stage is scheduled to loft the SES 10 communications satellite sometime next month, though no
firm launch date has been announced.
"Prepping to fly again — recovered CRS-8 first stage completed a static fire test at our McGregor, TX
rocket development facility last week," SpaceX posted Tuesday on Twitter, along with a photo of the test.
SpaceX routinely performs static fire tests at the Texas facility before rockets are shipped to one of the
launch sites the company uses: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center
(KSC) in Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. (SES-10 will lift off from KSC.)
SpaceX has landed a total of seven Falcon 9 first stages, with the first such success coming in December
2015 during the launch of 11 satellites from Cape Canaveral for the company Orbcomm.
The CRS-8 mission marked SpaceX's second successful touchdown and recovery. There have been five
more since then; the latest occurred Jan. 14 of this year, when a Falcon 9 first stage landed on a robotic
SpaceX ship at sea after launching 10 satellites for the communications company Iridium. (Five of the
seven landings, including the CRS-8 mission's touchdown, have occurred on such "drone ships." During
the other two, the rocket stage came back to the launchpad on terra firma.)…..
DoD Budget
Trump Signs Order Promising a ‘Great Rebuilding’ of
the Military
By: Aaron Mehta, January 27, 2017, Updated 1/27/2017 at 7:24 PM EST with the text of the executive order.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/report-draft-executive-order-would-give-pentagon-short-term-funding-boost
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order that will lead to what he
called "a great rebuilding" of the military.
The directive, signed during the commander in chief's first visit to the Pentagon, calls for reviews of
readiness capabilites, as well as formal looks at the nuclear and missile defense portfolios now in the
hands of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who was officially sworn into office by Vice President Mike
Pence during the visit.
During a brief speech, Trump described the American military as "the greatest force for justice and peace
and goodness that have ever walked the face of this earth. Your legacy exists everywhere in the world
today where people are more free, more prosperous, and more secure because of the United States of
America."
As a result, Trump said signing what he called an "executive action" would lead to "developing a plan for
new planes, new ships, new resources and new tools for our men and women in uniform, and I’m very
proud to be doing that.
"As we prepare our budget request of Congress, and I think Congress is going to be very happy to see it,
our military strength will be questioned by no one, but neither will our dedication to peace. And we do
want peace," he added.
Mattis Budget Guidance Prioritizes Readiness,
Previews 2018 Defense Strategy
By: Megan Eckstein, February 1, 2017 9:24 AM • Updated: February 1, 2017 4:54 PM
https://news.usni.org/2017/02/01/mattis-releases-defense-guidance-that-prioritizes-readiness-previews-2018defense-strategy
Defense Secretary James Mattis released an initial budget guidance memo that prioritizes current
readiness, filling in shortfalls and then building a larger and more capable force.
The Jan. 31 memo, released today, states that “the ultimate objective is to build a larger, more capable,
and more lethal joint force, driven by a new National Defense Strategy,” though it does not preview the
new strategy itself.
Rather, the memo calls for intermediate goals of addressing “immediate and serious readiness challenges”
and “addressing pressing programmatic shortfalls.”
Phase 1 of this effort calls for a FY 2017 budget amendment that would be delivered to the Office of
Management and Budget by March 1. This would increase current-year defense spending over what the
Obama administration recommended and Congress marked up and approved, though that budget plan is
not actually in use right now; rather, the federal government is still operating under a continuing
resolution due to lawmakers not passing their spending bills last fall. For the budget amendment to have
an effect, Congress would have to take action this spring.
This budget amendment would “address urgent warfighting readiness shortfalls across the joint force, and
new requirements driven by acceleration of the campaign against ISIS. The amendment may increase
force structure in critical areas where doing so would have an immediate readiness impact,” according to
the document, and while it will create a net increase in spending over the current FY 2017 spending plan,
it may make cuts from lower priority programs as needed to offset some of the cost.
Next, the FY 2018 budget request would be delivered from the Pentagon to OMB by May 1, for White
House approval and then delivery to Congress. This request may buy more munitions, invest in advanced
capability demonstrations, fund facilities sustainment and critical enablers, and grow force structure as
needed.
And finally, a 2018 National Defense Strategy will help shape the FY 2019-2023 program. That strategy
will outline “a new force sizing construct” that will inform how the military grows going forward, and
will lay out an approach for enhancing lethality against high-end competitors. Additionally, the strategy
will contain new business reform agendas beyond what has taken place over the last few years through an
effort driven by the House and Senate armed services committees to reform defense acquisition. The
“ambitious” agenda “will include horizontal integration across DoD components to improve efficiency
and take advantage of economies of scale.”…..
Other Of Interest
St. Lucie veterans’ nursing home on VA priority list
for $38 million grant
Jan 27, 2017
https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/st-lucie-veterans-nursing-home-on-va-priority-list-for38-million-grant
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that the state of
Florida is in line to receive a $38 million federal grant to build a new VA nursing home in St. Lucie
County.
The move comes after U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services
Committee, wrote last May to then-Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Robert McDonald, urging him to fund
construction of the new St. Lucie facility as soon as possible.
“We have a duty to care for our veterans,” Nelson said. “Getting the funding needed to build this new
facility here in St. Lucie County has been one of our top priorities.”
The Ardie R. Copas State Veterans Nursing Home is ranked eighth on the VA’s priority list of
construction projects for the upcoming year. The VA says it plans to fund the top eleven projects on this
year’s list.
The $60 million project will be funded by both the state and the federal government. The federal share of
the project totals $37,990,524.
Trump orders review of military readiness, boosting
Defense funds in 2017
By Jared Serbu | @jserbuWFED, January 30, 2017 4:46 am4 min read
http://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2017/01/trump-orders-review-military-readiness-boosting-defense-funds-2017/
President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the Pentagon to immediately set about the work of figuring
out how much money the Defense Department would need to overcome what military leaders have said
are serious readiness problems brought on by years of political deadlock over the federal budget.
In a memo he signed at the Pentagon during a symbolic swearing-in ceremony for Defense Secretary
James Mattis, Trump told the new secretary to launch a 30-day examination of a broad set of measures of
military readiness, from maintenance to munitions and infrastructure to manning and training.
Also over the next month, DoD will work with the Office of Management and Budget to draw up an
emergency supplemental 2017 budget request. The funds would be used to pay for any immediate
readiness gaps the Pentagon review identifies, and the order also tells OMB and DoD to use to results of
the readiness review as a basis for Defense budgets in 2018 and beyond.
In addition to the near-term cash infusion for readiness, the order set a broad agenda of “rebuilding” the
U.S. military through a new National Defense Strategy Trump ordered DoD to produce in preparation for
its 2018 budget submission, including a new review of the country’s nuclear weapons posture and its
capability to defend itself from missile attacks.
“As we prepare our budget request or Congress — and I think Congress is going to be very happy to see
it — our military strength will be questioned by no one, but neither will our dedication to peace,” the
president said in remarks at the Pentagon Friday. “We do want peace.”
Military readiness shortfalls have been a persistent concern on the part of not only the military’s top
officers, but also its civilian leaders since the onset of sequestration in 2013. Indeed, the Obama
administration’s final budget proposal lamented “enduring readiness challenges” brought on by the 2011
Budget Control Act and its later requirement for across-the-board spending reductions…..
Developer sues for $30M over bombing range cleanup
near MCO
Paul Brinkmann, Contact Reporter, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-bomb-range-lawsuit-20170201-story.html
A Miami developer who wants to build 4,000 homes and apartments atop a World War II-era bombing
range near Orlando International Airport is suing the federal government for cleanup costs, saying there is
a public danger on the property.
John Brunetti Jr. won unanimous approval in February from the Orlando City Council for
future development, if the state and federal authorities declare property to be free of bombs. Some nearby
residents have objected to anymore development in the area due to impact on traffic and schools.
According to the suit, Brunetti plans to finish cleanup of the area by mid-2018.
Now Brunetti is asking an Orlando federal judge to order the government to pay him at least $30.5
million, which is the best estimate he and his company have obtained from inspectors and contractors.
Brunetti alleges he’s already spent $11.5 million for cleanup and wetlands remediation.
The government has known about the dangers in the area for decades and has failed to address it, said
Brunetti’s attorney, Hubert Farbes of Denver.
“The level of unexploded ordnance, the risk, is much higher than what is characterized by the
government,” Farbes said.
He said Brunetti paid for fencing and guards around the property……
Gaetz to Mattis: Exempt DoD civilians from hiring
freeze
By Kelly Humphrey, [email protected] Posted Feb 1, 2017 at 5:00 PM, Updated
Feb 1, 2017 at 5:05 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170201/gaetz-to-mattis-exempt-dod-civilians-from-hiring-freeze
WASHINGTON - As one of his first actions as president, Donald Trump issued an executive order that
could impact hundreds of government employees across Northwest Florida.
"I hereby order a freeze on the hiring of federal civilian employees to be applied across the board in the
executive branch," Trump wrote in the order. "As part of this freeze, no vacant positions existing at noon
on January 22, 2017, may be filled and no new positions may be created, except in limited
circumstances."
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose congressional district includes four major military
installations, expressed concern about the unintended consequences of the order, which doesn't apply to
military personnel.
"I support the president's intention to reduce the size of the federal government, however, there have been
substantial negative effects and misinterpretations," Gaetz wrote in a letter to Secretary of Defense James
Mattis.
Gaetz said he is particularly concerned about employees whose jobs are on an annual contract, such as
base childcare center workers.
"Usually those contracts are renewed on a pro forma (as a matter of form) basis," Gaetz said by telephone
from his office in Washington. "I'm asking the secretary of defense to create exemptions for employees
whose lives could be disrupted if this order is not clarified."…..
February 10
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #51 will be via WEBEX / Conference Call NEXT
Thursday, 16 February 2017, beginning at 9:00AM (Agenda attached). We will not be
having a closed session this month. Please let Michelle know if you will not be calling
in. Meeting materials have been mailed to Task Force members and are also available for
the public on our website at: https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wpcontent/uploads/EBook-FDSTF-Meeting-51-2-16-17.pdf.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
New Access Code: 1869945
3. Task Force Accomplishments – During the last Task Force meeting at Avon Park, it
was noted that we did not have a comprehensive list of successes and accomplishments
over the last five years. The Task Force has done much to facilitate the preservation of
military missions and bases across the state. Staff has attempted to capture all of the
ways and areas the Task Force has made a difference. See the attached document to see
what success looks like over the last 5 years.
4. Senate and House Committee Meetings – Both Florida Chambers held committee
meetings concerning Military and Veterans Affairs this week. The Senate Military and
Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee meeting included a briefing
from Bruce Grant on the Task Force. Specifically, the committee was interested in
information on the potential of a BRAC in the coming years. Bruce left members a copy
of the Task Force Accomplishments paper referenced above. The House Local, Federal
& Veterans Affairs Subcommittee also met and discussed two bills pending before the
committee including a Veterans ID Bill (HB 179) which favorably passed the
committee. Bruce Grant and/or Terry McCaffrey attended both committee meetings.
5. Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) – The frequency of BRAC discussion has been
on a steady rise over the last two weeks. It seems more likely that a BRAC will occur
during the Trump Administration, but at this point we are unsure of the timing. TPG
continues to feel that 2021 is the most likely time frame due to the volume of public
transparent actions required prior to execution of base closures. Of note, the Army and
Air Force are most interested in BRAC while the Navy maintains they do not need to
close any bases, just realign missions and equipment. There are several articles below in
the Clips for your review on the issue.
6. Military / Veteran Related Bills Filed This Week – There were nine new bills filed last
week. To review or track House Bills, go to www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills
(SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page
if you would like current status throughout session. Attached is the current summary of
all bills filed to date.
 HB 2405 - Relating to State Veterans' Nursing Home Planning-Marion
County (McClain)








State Veterans' Nursing Home Planning-Marion County: Provides an
appropriation for the State Veterans' Nursing Home Planning-Marion County.
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
HB 2431 - Relating to Veterans' Home Program-City of Pembroke Pines
(Jones)
Veterans' Home Program-City of Pembroke Pines: Provides an appropriation for
the Veterans' Home Program-City of Pembroke Pines. Effective Date: July 1,
2017
HB 2609 Relating to Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative - FSU
(Alexander)
Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative - FSU: Provides an appropriation for
the Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative - FSU. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
HB 2583 Relating to Collier County Veterans Treatment Court (Donalds)
Collier County Veterans Treatment Court: Provides an appropriation for the
Collier County Veterans Treatment Court. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
SB 0768 Relating to An Annual Sales Tax Holiday for Veterans of The
United States Armed Forces (Powell)
An Annual Sales Tax Holiday For Veterans Of The United States Armed Forces;
Creating an annual sales tax holiday for veterans; specifying items that are
eligible for the sales tax holiday, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
HB 2745 Relating to Miami-Dade County Veterans Treatment Court (Diaz
(J))
Miami-Dade County Veterans Treatment Court: Provides an appropriation for the
Miami-Dade County Veterans Treatment Court. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
HB 2789 Relating to Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Florida for
Disability Determination Assistance (Ausley)
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Florida for Disability Determination
Assistance: Provides an appropriation for the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Department of Florida for Disability Determination Assistance. Effective Date:
July 1, 2017
SB 0836 Relating to Preference In Hiring Veterans (Gibson)
Preference in Hiring Veterans; Citing this act as "Veterans Preference Incentive
Act"; authorizing a corporate income tax credit for private employers hiring
certain veterans or spouses of veterans, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
HB 0733 Relating to Elections (Stafford)
Elections: Extends timeframe for which person who cast provisional ballot may
present written evidence supporting his or her eligibility to vote; requires
supervisor to provide certain notification to person whose provisional ballot was
rejected; requires supervisor of elections to allow person who voted provisional
ballot to present identification & submit affidavit to cure unsigned Provisional
Ballot Voter's Certificate & Affirmation or provisional ballot rejected due to
signature discrepancy; prescribes form & content of affidavit; provides
instructions to accompany each affidavit; requires affidavit, instructions, &
supervisor's contact information to be posted on specified websites; requires
supervisor to attach received affidavit to corresponding provisional ballot
envelope; requires supervisor to allow submission of affidavit to cure signature
discrepancies on vote-by-mail ballot. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
7. Attachments:
 Next Task Force Meeting Agenda
 Task Force Achievements Paper
 TPG Bi-weekly Conference Call Memo
 2017 Filed Military & Veteran Bills
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
ADC News
A VARIETY OF PARTNERS STRENGTHENS
RANGE PRESERVATION
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 7 February 2017
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=03416b0172
DOD’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program and other federal efforts have
become a critical source of funding for the local effort to protect the Atlantic Test Ranges, a special use
airspace of 1.5 million acres that straddles the Chesapeake Bay and supports Naval Air Station Patuxent River
in southern Maryland. But federal support also opened up new opportunities for preserving the Navy’s R&D,
testing and training missions. The formation of the Middle Chesapeake Sentinel Landscape in 2015 — a
federal collaboration among DOD, and the departments of Agriculture and the Interior — has allowed a
diverse set of local stakeholders to work together to limit incompatible development within a swath of southern
Maryland, along with parts of Delaware and Virginia.
A case study of the local, state and federal effort to preserve the Atlantic Test Ranges will be featured as one of
six “Innovators” at the Installation Innovation Forum 2017 in San Antonio from Feb. 27-March 1. For more
information about the forum and to register, visit the IIF website at http://www.installationinnovation.org/ …
BRAC
Vice chiefs push for a new round of military base
closures
By JACQUELINE KLIMAS (@JACQKLIMAS) • 2/7/17 1:05 PM
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/vice-chiefs-push-for-a-new-round-of-military-base-closures/article/2614136
Another round of base closures would go a long way toward paying for billions in deferred
infrastructure maintenance, the military vice chiefs told House lawmakers Thursday.
Both the Air Force and Army vice chiefs of staff urged lawmakers to support another round of base
realignment and closure to allow the military to redirect the money spent on excess infrastructure to
modernizing what infrastructure the services actually need and use.
"It's real money that we really need to reinvest into deferred maintenance and infrastructure backlog,"
Gen. Daniel Allyn, the Army's vice chief, told the House Armed Services Committee.
Allyn said that, if the Army grows to 490,000 active troops, an increase of about 25,000 from today, it'll
still have 21 percent excess facilities. Instead of paying for that, Allyn said he would put that money
toward the $11 billion backlog of infrastructure maintenance that has been deferred because of the
Budget Control Act.
Gen. Stephen Wilson, the Air Force vice chief, said his service is paying for 25 percent excess
infrastructure and has a $25 billion maintenance backlog on which that money could be better spent.
"In today's budget environment, it makes sense to invest wisely, so BRAC would help us make smart
investments to prepare for the future," Wilson said.
Base realignment and closure, also known as BRAC, has been unpopular on Capitol Hill, both because
lawmakers are loathe to cut jobs in their districts as a result of base closures and because of criticism of
the last round of base closures in 2005 that did not yield savings as quickly as planned. The Pentagon
asked in its fiscal 2017 budget request for $4 million to begin preparing for a round of base closures in
2019, but that did not make it into the final authorization bill.
But Allyn defended the 2005 BRAC and said that now, more than a decade later, the Army nets $1
billion each year in savings from that effort.
Congress approving a BRAC seems more likely than in the past after Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and
chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said last month that he and ranking member Sen.
Jack Reed, D-R.I., want to talk about a new round of base closures with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
"Sen. Reed and I are seriously considering the issue of BRAC and obviously we want to talk to the nowsecretary of defense about it, but it's a little bit like sequestration. We can't make the decisions
ourselves, so we leave it up a commission, and frankly the last commission made some very bad
decisions," McCain said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. "We need to talk about it, I
think it has to be considered as all things should be on the table."
Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said last year
that he would be open to considering base closures if the services can provide updated numbers on the
amount of excess infrastructure relative to the threats the country faces today.
"We better be darn careful we know that we have something that we don't need because once we give it
away, especially if it's a training range or flying range or something, we'll never get it back," Thornberry
said in early 2016…..
America Has Too Many Military Bases
Christopher A. Preble, William D. Hartung, February 6, 2017
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-skeptics/america-has-too-many-military-bases19343?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%2002.08.2017&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
Members of Congress have a hard time agreeing on virtually anything, and they’re already butting heads
with the new president. But one issue should unite them: a new initiative to shrink the Pentagon’s massive
overhead.
President Trump and Secretary of Defense James Mattis have pledged to cut waste. And key leaders in
Congress have renewed their calls for rationalizing the Pentagon’s base structure. Now is the time for
Congress to come together, put the national interest over parochial interests and finally support a new
round of base closings.
As Senate Armed Services Committee chair Sen. John McCain recently said to reporters, “Right now we
do have excess properties and facilities, and I think we need to look at it.” On the House side, Rep. Adam
Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, is pushing legislation that would
initiate a new round of base closings in 2019, because, as he notes, “We should not be wasting hardearned taxpayer money to maintain excess infrastructure that DoD has determined it does not need.”
If properly structured, any new set of base closings could result in billions in savings. This item is high on
the military’s agenda. The brass have been asking Congress for permission to eliminate unneeded
facilities for years, and for good reason. The last round of closures occurred eleven years ago, at a time
when the military was busy fighting two wars.
The Defense Department now estimates that nearly one-quarter of its current bases serve no military need.
This is true even if the Army and Marine Corps remain at their current size. The billions of dollars wasted
on overhead could be put to far better use, especially at a time when the services claim that they lack the
resources to pay for essential functions such as training and equipment maintenance.
So why isn’t there an overwhelming push to close unneeded bases? The resistance is grounded in porkbarrel politics, not a careful assessment of the nation’s defense needs. Too many members of Congress
believe that they were elected to put the interests of their state or district over that of the country. They
believe that they are doing their duty by blocking any base closures.
In fact, these representatives are actually doing harm to the nation and their constituents. Their stubborn
refusal to allow the military to use its resources efficiently also prevents defense communities from taking
advantage of land and property currently trapped behind chain-link fences and razor wire…..
MILITARY CAN'T AFFORD BRAC NOW,
INHOFE SAYS:
“On Base” with Dan Cohen, 9 Feb 2017
http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=768206e582&e=28cebe069c
At a hearing Wednesday on the current readiness of the armed forces, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the
new chairman of the Senate Armed Services’ Readiness and Management Support Subcommittee, said
he opposes approving a new round of base closures, citing the upfront cost to close installations as well
as the possibility they would be needed in a future contingency. “Without exception, every BRAC round
for the first three years costs money,” he said, reported the Hill. “If there’s ever a time in the history of
our military where we can’t afford to dilute those dollars that we need to try to resolve the problems that
have been talked about today, it’s now.”
Inhofe’s remarks put him at odds with Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.), who last month
said he is “seriously considering” the prospect of a new BRAC round.
Navy's No. 2 on base closures: Don't give away
'waterfront property'
BY REBECCA KHEEL - 02/08/17 05:04 PM EST 13
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/318574-navys-no-2-on-base-closures-dont-give-away-waterfront-property
The Navy’s second-in-command disagreed Wednesday with his Army and Air Force colleagues about
closing bases in order to save money to reinvest in other needs.
“I learned a long time ago that waterfront property is something you should never give away,” Adm.
William Moran, vice chief of naval operations, quipped at a subcommittee hearing.
Moran was testifying alongside the vice chiefs of the Army and Air Force and the assistant commandant
of the Marine Corps at a Senate Armed Services Committee subpanel hearing.
The quartet also testified Tuesday before the House Armed Services Committee. During that hearing, the
vice chiefs of the Army and Air Force threw their support behind Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
plans, while the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps said his service has the right amount of
infrastructure it needs.
Moran didn’t comment on BRAC on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he said the Navy also feels it has the right
number of bases, but could stand to downsize inside those bases.
“If we could do a micro-BRAC inside our own bases just to demolish buildings we’d like to demolish and
not have to go through the bureaucracy of that, that would be far more helpful than going through another
round of BRAC to the Navy,” he said.
BRAC has been a politically unpopular solution to the military’s budget woes. Lawmakers in both parties
oppose it because of the potential for negative economic effects on the communities around bases…..
Is there another BRAC in our future?
Posted Feb 9, 2017 at 3:45 PM, By Kelly Humphrey | 315-4443 | @Kellyhnwfdn | [email protected]
http://www.waltonsun.com/news/20170209/is-there-another-brac-in-our-future
If there's one word that strikes fear in the hearts of military communities, it's the acronym commonly
known as BRAC.
The Base Realignment and Closure process is the official method by which the government looks at
current military assets and determines whether it would be beneficial to close or realign certain programs,
bases, and facilities. Run by an independent commission, BRAC was designed to be a transparent, nonpolitical method of eliminating surplus properties and facilities.
The last official BRAC took place in 2005, but earlier this week the vice chief of staff of the Air Force
and his counterpart in the Army testified before Congress that they favored another round of BRAC
reviews.
"In today's budget environment, it makes sense to invest wisely," Air Force Gen. Stephen Wilson told
members of the House Armed Services Committee. "So BRAC would help us make smart investments to
prepare for the future."
At the mention of BRAC, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a member of the Armed Services Committee,
immediately pricked up his ears.
"I've been saying that I thought there would be another BRAC during the Trump Administration," Gaetz
said. "I'm focused on this, because I believe another BRAC could provide a great opportunity for
Northwest Florida. We've got a winning record when it comes to BRAC."
In fact, as a result of the 2005 BRAC recommendations, both Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base
saw a net gain in personnel and missions, including the relocation of the Army's 7th Special Forces Group
(Airborne) from Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Still, the mere mention of a new BRAC can lead to fears
of cuts to the programs that are so essential to the Northwest Florida economy.
"I was surprised at how candid the vice chiefs were," Gaetz added. "Usually people don't want to talk
about BRAC because it's so sensitive."
Local economist David Goetsch, the chairman emeritus of the Florida Defense Support Task Force, said
he isn't worried that a new round of BRAC will negatively affect local military installations.
Eglin AFB
Lightning strikes twice in Florida: Two Air Guard
pilots are forging the future of the F-35
February 3, 2017
http://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2017/02/03/lightning-strikes-twice-in-florida-two-air-guard-pilots-are-forgingthe-future-of-the-f-35/
As the skies over Valparaiso, Fla., play host to numerous aircraft from multiple branches of the
Department of Defense, pilots from the Florida Air National Guard are training aviators on the Air
Force’s F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter. Eglin Air Force Base’s 33rd Fighter Wing has been
the home to this remarkable air frame since the program’s inception in 2009, making it the first base to
have F-35s within the DOD.
Following the arrival of the F-35 at Eglin, two members of the Florida Air National Guard have been
helping the DOD establish the curriculum for the implementation of the aircraft, as well as train pilots
how to fundamentally fly the F-35. The mission of fielding a fifth-generation fighter aircraft and training
pilots to fly it may seem like a daunting task, but the FLANG has been on the forefront of this exact type
of mission for more than 10 years starting with the F-22 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
“We bring the knowledge gained from active duty through the F-15 Strike Eagle and the F-22 Raptor to
the F-35 and as Florida Guardsmen, we provide a permanency and continuity to the program,” said Air
Force Lt. Col. Scott “Gaucho” Charlton, F-35 instructor and the 33rd Fighter Wing’s Chief of Wing
Weapons and Tactics. “I think Florida is a perfect location for the F-35. We have a fifth-gen state of
excellence already established through the F-22 training at Tyndall and the F-35 here at Eglin, plus the
airspace and integration opportunities here are hands-down better than anywhere else in the country.”…..
NSA Panama City
Navy Experimental Diving Unit Sailors Test New
Equipment at 500 Feet
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Fred Gray IV, Naval Support Activity Panama City Public Affairs,
FEBRUARY 9, 2017
http://www.militaryspot.com/news/navy-experimental-diving-unit-sailors-test-new-equipment-500-feet
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (NNS) – Six Sailors assigned to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) at
Naval Support Activity Panama City (NSAPC) “resurfaced” Feb. 2 after completing an 11-day simulated
dive in the Ocean Simulation Facility (OSF) by being compressed to the equivalent of a depth of 500 feet.
The NEDU Sailors were decompressed and released from the OSF after 11 days of training and testing
the HeliCom Matrix, a new communications system designed to compensate for helium-influenced
speech during saturation dives.
“The importance of this dive was twofold,” said Cmdr. Jay Young, commanding officer of NEDU. “First
was to test new equipment that we will use in future [saturation] dives and validate its operation, and
second was to use this scenario as a training opportunity to maintain our proficiency for our watch teams
and our divers to continue our saturation mission here at NEDU. This ensures we are prepared in the
event we are called upon to support saturation diving operations in the fleet.”
NEDU is currently the only U.S. Navy command capable of conducting saturation diving. Its Sailors use
the OSF for testing and evaluation of equipment and procedures used in diving worldwide……
Tyndall AFB
USAF's F-35A fighter aircraft fires first AIM-120
AMRAAM
February 6, 2017
http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsusafs-f-35a-fighter-aircraft-fires-first-aim-120-amraam-5732150
The US Air Force's (USAF) 33rd Fighter Wing has fired the first AIM-120 advanced medium-range
air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) from an operational F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft.
The air-to-air missile firing was conducted as part of a weapons system evaluation at Tyndall Air Force
Base in Florida, US.
During testing, the AMRAAMs were loaded into four separate aircraft and the three primary missiles
were shot successfully, therefore not requiring additional missile fires, the USAF stated.
The AIM-120 is an all-weather, beyond-visual-range, air-to-air munition that features active radar with
an inertial reference unit.
The missile's microcomputer system makes it less dependent upon the fire-control system of the
aircraft.
The active radar guides the missile to intercept the target, thereby allowing the pilot to aim and fire
several missiles simultaneously at multiple targets.
By carrying air-to-air missiles, the F-35 becomes a more versatile option for combatant commanders
and increases the likeliness of mission success, the USAF stated…..
NAS Jacksonville
Grace Aerospace president says Jacksonville
relocation and expansion ‘just makes sense’
Friday, February 3, 10:56 AM EST, By Marilyn Young, Editor
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549279
When Grace Aerospace was considering moving its manufacturing operations from New York,
Jacksonville was a logical place for a couple of reasons.
First, it put the company closer to its Navy customers, many of whom are at Cecil Commerce Center and
Naval Air Station Jacksonville, said Jennifer Connolly, the company’s director of business development.
Second, City Council approved a $332,500 incentives package for the company to relocate those
operations from Long Island, N.Y., to a facility near Cecil Commerce Center. The incentives
legislation requires Grace to create 25 jobs with an average salary of $50,675 by Dec. 31, 2019.
Executives with Grace Aerospace were in Jacksonville on Thursday to announce the relocation and the
expansion of its local operations…..
MacDill AFB
MacDill Gets A Visit From President Trump Today
By James Williams - February 6, 2017
https://www.newstalkflorida.com/featured/macdill-gets-visit-president-trump-today/
President Trump makes his first visit to Tampa at MacDill this morning
President Donald Trump is spending the weekend at the Southern White House, his Mar-a-Lago estate in
Palm Beach. On Monday, he will stop off of in Tampa to visit MacDill Air Force Base.
President Trump will be his first ever visit to the home of the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special
Operations Command at MacDill.
There will be an extensive briefing as President Trump is expected to be joined in Tampa by two of his
key advisors. Gen. Michael Flynn, the National Security Advisor and Gen. Joseph Dunford, the current
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
According to Press Secretary Spicer said the president will have lunch with enlisted troops and will also
address the troops afterwards. There is expected to be press pool coverage only.
This will mark President Trump’s first visit to the Tampa Bay area since winning the election. He will
spend most of Monday morning and the early afternoon MacDill before returning to Washington, D.C. for
what is expected to be a very full week…..
US Central Command
Trump visits Central Command, says he's 100%
behind the troops
David Jackson , USA TODAY, Published 2:30 p.m. ET Feb. 6, 2017 | Updated 20 hours ago
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/06/donald-trump-macdill-air-force-base/97555846/
Making his first official visit to the headquarters of the U.S. Central Command, President Trump told
troops Monday that he is "100%" behind them in the fight against "radical Islamic terrorism."
"To these forces of death and destruction, America and its allies will defeat you," Trump said during a
visit to MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, Fla.
The president echoed some of his campaign promises in saying he would supply military forces with "the
finest equipment known to man" and challenge other nations in NATO and other alliances to pay more for
U.S. defense assistance.
"Our administration is at your service," he said.
Saying that "radical Islamic terrorists are determined to strike our homeland," Trump made passing
reference to his proposed ban on travel to the U.S. from seven Muslim majority nations. A federal judge
struck down that order, and litigation is currently pending in an appeals court.
In an apparent reference to the lawsuits over the travel ban, Trump said: "You've been seeing what's been
going on over the last few days. We need strong programs so that people that love us and want to love our
country and will end up loving our country are allowed in. Not people that want to destroy us and destroy
our country."
Politics also came during Trump's remarks to the troops. He cited last year's "wonderful election" and
the support he got from military voters ("you like me and I like you"). He saluted Florida Gov. Rick
Scott for endorsing him during the campaign and also spoke about election themes like "Make America
Great Again" and "America First."…..
Cape Canaveral AFS
Exclusive: SpaceX to hit fastest launch pace with new
Florida site - executive
Mon Feb 6, 2017 | 8:26 PM EST, By Irene Klotz | CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN15M03N
Space Exploration Technologies Corp, better known as SpaceX, plans to launch its Falcon 9 rockets
every two to three weeks, its fastest rate since starting launches in 2010, once a new launch pad is put
into service in Florida next week, the company's president told Reuters on Monday.
The ambitious plan comes only five months after a SpaceX rocket burst into flames on the launch pad at
the company's original launch site in Florida. SpaceX, controlled by billionaire Elon Musk, has only
launched one rocket since then, in mid-January.
“We should be launching every two to three weeks,” SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell told Reuters
in an interview on Monday.
SpaceX was approaching that pace last autumn, before the Sept. 1 accident, which happened during a
routine preflight test. The explosion destroyed a $200 million Israeli satellite and heavily damaged the
launch pad.
Shotwell said repairs to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which are still underway,
should cost “far less than half” of a new launch pad, which she said runs about $100 million. The new
launch pad is at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, just north of the Cape Canaveral site.
SpaceX is also modifying the rocket's engines to increase performance and resolve potential safety
concerns, said Shotwell.
US Southern Command
Southcom Chief Stresses Innovation, Cooperation in
Countering Threats
By Shannon Collins, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1077650/southcom-chief-stresses-innovation-cooperation-incountering-threats
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2017 — Fighting transregional and transnational threats requires building
networks stronger than those that are keeping those threats in business, the commander of U.S. Southern
Command told members of the American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America and the Caribbean at
a luncheon in Miami yesterday.
“The global flow of drugs, weapons, people and illicit goods [is] the visible manifestation of powerful,
networked organizations and groups,” Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd said. “You probably know them as
cartels, gangs, drug trafficking and criminal organizations, violent nonstate actors, narcoterrorists and the
like.”
Threat Networks
These networks exploit the interconnected nature of the American financial, transportation and
technological systems, the admiral said.
“Some networks smuggle desperate people from all over the world into our countries, where they may go
to find jobs or refuge from conflict, … while other networks specialize at moving individuals with
questionable backgrounds, worrisome intentions and possible ties to terrorism through the region and into
the United States,” he added.
Some of these networks are globally integrated enterprises that rival Fortune 500 companies and have
worldwide reach, Tidd said, and others dabble in activities such as cocaine trafficking, extortion and
human trafficking. Others smuggle precursor chemicals into Mexico to make heroin and fentanyl, and
some reap enormous profits by illegally mining gold in Guyana, Peru and Colombia, he told the group…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed Credits Trump as Price Per Jet Falls in
Latest F-35 Batch
POSTED BY: ORIANA PAWLYK, FEBRUARY 3, 2017
HTTPS://WWW.DODBUZZ.COM/2017/02/03/LOCKHEED-CREDITS-TRUMP-PRICE-PER-JET-FALLSLATEST-F-35-BATCH/
The Defense Department announced an $8.2 billion deal for the latest batch of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
on Friday, known as Low Rate Initial Production 10.
President Donald Trump on Monday said he has been negotiating with Lockheed Martin Corp. officials to
bring the cost down significantly since he became president-elect. “I got involved in that about a month
ago,” he said during a meeting with business leaders at the White House. “There was no movement, and I
was able to get $600 million approximately off those planes.”
In total, the latest contract represents a $728 million reduction from LRIP 9, Defense Department officials
said.
The deal for 90 new Joint Strike Fighters marks the first time the price per F-35A variant for the Air
Force will fall below $100 million, according to the announcement, first reported by Reuters.
The unit price for the service was reduced seven percent from the last batch of aircraft, amounting to $95
million per plane, the announcement said.
The Marine Corps’ F-35B and Navy’s F-35C variant price tags were reduced to $123 million and $122
million (roughly seven and eight percent, respectively) per aircraft in comparison to LRIP 9, announced
in November, according to the Pentagon’s statistics.
Lockheed spokesman Bill Phelps on Friday said, “President Trump’s personal involvement in the F-35
program accelerated the negotiations and sharpened our focus on driving down the price……
DoD Budget
Thornberry primes 2018 Pentagon reform agenda
By: Joe Gould, February 6, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/thornberry-primes-2018-pentagon-reformagenda?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DNR%202.7.17&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
WASHINGTON — House Armed Services Chair Mac Thornberry, R-Tex., is seizing the initiative for
his Pentagon reform agenda for 2018, even as the Trump administration's Defense Department team takes
shape.
At a reporters’ roundtable Monday, Thornberry said he plans to press ahead with incremental acquisitions
and organizational reforms this year, beyond last year’s split of the undersecretary of defense for
acquisition, technology and logistics job.
“I’m proud of what we have done so far and I’m fully aware that there is much, much more that needs to
be done in a careful, thoughtful, determined way,” Thornberry said. “There will be more acquisition
reform this year, and we still have some organizational issues to deal with.”
As in past years, the chairman will introduce a stand-alone reform bill that will morph into language for
the annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act.
Reform language in last year’s final NDAA created an undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment,
and a new undersecretary for research and engineering, which is essentially a chief technology officer.
The change is mandated for 2018, but Defense Secretary Jim Mattis can begin implementation sooner if
he chooses.
Other Of Interest
Trump's pick for Army secretary drops out
By: Leo Shane III, February 3, 2017
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/trump-viola-withdraws-army-secretary
WASHINGTON -- President Trump’s nominee to lead the Army abruptly withdrew his name from
consideration late Friday night, citing his inability to get around strict Defense Department rules
concerning his family businesses.
Vincent Viola, founder of digital stock trading firm Virtu Financial and owner of the National Hockey
League’s Florida Panthers, had been working through the confirmation process to become Army secretary
since mid-December.
In a statement, Viola said he was “deeply honored” to be nominated for the post, but concluded that he
would not be able to successfully navigate the confirmation process.
“I appreciate the confidence President Trump showed in me,” he said. “I offer my continued support for
President Trump and his administration, and look forward to redoubling my efforts to support the Army
and its veterans as private citizens.”
Sources familiar said Viola had been looking for ways to divest from his businesses -- including
ownership of the hockey team -- to take the top civilian Army post.
He had planned to transfer ownership to other family members but turn over operations responsibilities to
the team’s vice chairman, but that arrangement did not meet Pentagon requirements, according to
sources.
The surprise announcement leaves another hole in Trump’s Pentagon leadership team. While Defense
Secretary James Mattis was confirmed by the Senate just hours after Trump was inaugurated, dozens of
other key civilian military posts remain vacant or manned by temporary appointees.
Trump has nominated Heather Wilson to take over as Air Force secretary and Philip Bilden to become
Navy secretary, but confirmation hearings have not been announced for either role…..
Paul Renner files Occupational Opportunity Act,
reciprocal occupational licensing for military families
A.G. GANCARSKI, 2 Feb 2017
http://saintpetersblog.com/paul-renner-files-occupational-opportunity-act-reciprocal-occupational-licensingmilitary-families/
Florida House Bill 615, filed by Rep. Paul Renner of Palm Coast, would make transfers to Florida a bit
easier for military families.
Also known as the “Occupational Opportunity Act,” HB 615 would compel Florida’s Department of
Business and Professional Regulation to license military members, spouses, and surviving spouses in
occupations they have licenses for in other states.
Renner’s bill would also extend the amount of time after discharge that such license reciprocity would be
granted, from six months to two years.
The proposal also waives license fees for military, spouses, and what a press release from his office calls
“low-income individuals.”
Low-income individuals are those having a household income not exceeding 130 percent of federal
guidelines for their household size, or enrolled in entitlement programs, such as Medicaid and SNAP.
“This bill helps two groups who most need our help: military families and those seeking a job to escape
generational poverty. Moving forward,” Renner said, “we must continue to reform occupational licensing,
which has become a barrier to opportunity for millions of Floridians.”
Stephanie Murphy lands counter-terrorism, militaryreadiness committee posts
SCOTT POWERS, February 9, 2017
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/231850-stephanie-murphy-lands-counter-terrorism-military-readiness-committeeposts
Freshman U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy‘s professional background in the U.S. Department of Defense
has led her to pick up two subcommittee posts overseeing military counter-terrorism and readiness efforts,
her office announced Thursday.
Murphy, the Winter Park Democrat who was appointed earlier this year to the House Armed Services
Committee, has been assigned to seats on that committee’s subcommittees for Emerging Threats and
Capabilities, and Readiness. Murphy once worked as a defense analyst within the U.S. Department of
Defense.
The Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee is responsible for overseeing counter-terrorism
programs and initiatives and counter proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, this
subcommittee oversees U.S. Special Operations Forces, the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency), information technology and programs, force protection policy and oversight, and related
intelligence support.
The Readiness Subcommittee oversees military readiness and training, logistics and maintenance issues
and programs, military construction, installations and family housing issues, and the military base closure
process. It also oversees civilian personnel, energy security, and environmental issues that affect
Department of Defense.
Murphy representas Florida’s 7th Congressional District, covering all of Seminole County and northcentral and northeast Orange County, including Maitland, Winter Park and much of Orlando…..
February 17
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #52 will be in person in Tallahassee, FL on
Thursday, 16 March 2017, beginning at 9:00AM at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 3388
Lonnbladh Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308. More details to follow in the coming weeks.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Mayport Named East Coast Base for MQ-4C Triton UAS – Thanks to efforts by the
Task Force, the City of Jacksonville and the Governor Scott, among others, Mayport has
been selected as the Navy’s newest Triton base. See stories below in clips.
4. Grant Application Window Closed – The Task Force FY17-18 second grant
application window open from 1-15 February 2017 has closed. We received two
additional application which brings our total to consider for funding next year to nine
applications worth a total of $2,386,837.31 in funding request for projects around the
state.
5. House Committee Meetings – The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs
Subcommittee met and discussed two bills pending before the committee including a
Veterans Tax Holiday Bill (HB 0263 - Ponder) which favorably passed the
committee. Bruce Grant and Terry McCaffrey attended the meeting.
6. FDA Meeting on 15 March 2017 in Tallahassee – The next FDA meeting will be the
day prior to the 16 March 2017 Task Force meeting also in Tallahassee. There will be a
combined mixer for FDA and FDSTF members following the FDA meeting on
Wednesday evening from 5:00-6:00 PM – location TBD.
7. Military / Veteran Related Bills Filed This Week – There were eight new bills filed
last week. To review or track House Bills, go to www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate
Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both sites, insert the bill number at the top of the
page if you would like current status throughout session. Attached is the current
summary of all bills filed to date.
 HB 2951 Relating to Vietnam 50th FL Veterans Edition Commemorative
Book and Documentary (Latvala (C))
Vietnam 50th FL Veterans Edition Commemorative Book and Documentary:
Provides an appropriation for the Vietnam 50th FL Veterans Edition
Commemorative Book and Documentary. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 0799 Relating to Charitable Gaming (Porter)
Charitable Gaming: Authorizes Type C amusement games or machines to be
operated at premises of veterans' service organization under certain conditions;
authorizes certain organizations to conduct poker tournaments; provides
requirements & restrictions for such tournaments; requires specified information
to be posted at premises at which such tournament is conducted. Effective Date:
July 1, 2017
 HB 0529 Relating to Soldiers' and Heroes' Monuments and Memorials
Protection Act (Drake)
Soldiers' and Heroes' Monuments and Memorials Protection Act: Provides
criminal penalties for criminal mischief that causes damage to certain
remembrances erected to honor or commemorate soldier, historical military
figure, military organization, military unit, law enforcement officer, firefighter, or
astronaut. Effective Date: October 1, 2017
 HB 3307 Relating to Veterans Villa Training Initiative (Daniels)
Veterans Villa Training Initiative: Provides an appropriation for the Veterans
Villa Training Initiative. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 LFV1 Relating to Florida National Guard Foundation/DSO (Local, Federal &
Veterans Affairs Subcommittee)
PCB LFV 17-01 -- Florida National Guard Foundation/DSO
 LFV2 Relating to Florida Veterans Foundation/DSO (Local, Federal &
Veterans Affairs Subcommittee)
PCB LFV 17-02 -- Florida Veterans Foundation/DSO
 HB 3509 Relating to No One Left Behind - Veterans Initiative (Daniels)
No One Left Behind - Veterans Initiative: Provides an appropriation for the No
One Left Behind - Veterans Initiative. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 1022 Relating to License Plates (Stewart)
License Plates; Requiring moneys received from the sale of Woman Veteran
license plates to be used for certain purposes; directing the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to develop an American Eagle license plate;
providing for a special license plate to be issued to a recipient of the Bronze Star;
revising disposition of moneys received from the sale of Woman Veteran license
plates; requiring the likeness of the Prisoner of War Medal to appear on the ExPOW license plate, etc. Effective Date: 10/1/2017
8. Attachments:
 Team Orlando Newsletter (2017 Feb)
 Current Military and Veterans Bill Status (As of 16 Feb 17)
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
BRAC
Army's Vice Chief of Staff calls for new round of base
realignment and closure
Jeff Martin, Feb 10, 2017 Updated Feb 11, 2017
http://www.waaytv.com/redstone_alabama/army-s-vice-chief-of-staff-calls-for-new-round/article_59b2133c-efc211e6-b34a-d773192de1e5.html
Testifying before the United States Senate subcommittee on military readiness, the Army's Vice Chief of
Staff, General Daniel Allyn called on Congress to authorize another round of Base Realignment and
Closure (BRAC).
"I've been up here now, this is the third year, pleading for additional funding, pleading for the elimination
of sequestration and pleading for the stoppage of continuing resolutions. Those have not gone away,"
Allyn said. "We are forced to look internally on where else can we save, and BRAC is an area we know
we can save."
He added that the Army is saving about $1 billion every year from the previous BRAC round in 2005. In
the most recent defense authorization and military construction bills, a new round of BRAC was
prohibited. During testimony, the subcommittee's chair, Oklahoma Republican Jim Inhofe said ""I've
been through every BRAC round, [six] of them. And without exception, every BRAC round in the first
three years costs money. If there's ever a time in the history of our military that we can't afford to dilute
those dollars … we need to resolve the problems that have been talked about today."
According to a 2016 DOD study, the military is more than 20% over capacity.
Hurlburt Field
Military exercise to bring aircraft, live fire to area Feb.
27-March 11
Posted Feb 14, 2017 at 3:35 PM, By Kelly Humphrey | 315-4443 | @Kellyhnwfdn | [email protected]
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170214/military-exercise-to-bring-aircraft-live-fire-to-area-feb-27-march-11
HURLBURT FIELD — For the 10th year in a row the Emerald Coast will play host to Emerald Warrior,
a joint military exercise that prepares war fighters for the modern world of combat.
Scheduled for Feb. 27 through March 11, Emerald Warrior 17 will give members of the Air Force Special
Operations Command the opportunity to train with a wide array of military forces.
"We're expecting to have about the same number of participants as last year — roughly 1,500," said Ciara
Travis, a spokeswoman for AFSOC, which will host the event. "We will have participants from at least
three partner nations as well as from the Army, Air Force, and the conventional Marines."
Travis said the exercise will allow participants to take part in "advanced tactical scenarios" and to
strengthen their relationships with other forces and prepare them for future deployments. This year, the
scenarios will include operations involving inserting and removing troops from combat situations, direct
assaults, military freefall, live-fire events and Forward Area Refueling Points, where aircraft are fueled
during combat….
1 SOFSS MPF wins Site Excellence Award
By Dennis Spain, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published February 16, 2017
http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/4891/Article/1081196/1-sofss-mpf-wins-site-excellenceaward.aspx
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla., -- The 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron military personnel
flight customer support section won the Air Force Site Excellence Award out of 126 AF locations and
placed second at the Department of Defense level against 1,630 DOD locations, Feb. 10, 2017, here.
Air Force Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and Real-Time Automated Personnel
Identification System customer support sites, the sections that handle military benefits and entitlements,
were nominated for the Site Excellence Award after making it in the top 15 percent of 126 Air Force
locations who had the least amount of discrepancies when providing customer support.
“I think the difference between us and a lot of other sites is what I do with my site security managers -we do an audit,” said 2nd Lt. Crystal Shields, chief of MPS customer support with the 1st SOFSS. “We
make sure they are doing the right procedures, that they’re checking all the boxes, all i’s are dotted and t’s
are crossed, so that our errors are decreased.”
It was the 1st SOFSS’s customer service and examinations on the efficiency of procedures that made
them stand out from the rest.
“We were elated to win this award,” Shields said. “The feeling of accomplishment, and to be recognized
for all of our hard work -- it feels awesome.”
Winning this award showed the customer support team that all of their hard work was noticed.
“It makes me feel like my work doesn’t go unnoticed,” said Airman 1st Class Aaliyah Bailey, a
personnelist with the 1st SOFSS. “We’re a team, between the contractors, Airmen, NCOs and leadership,
we all work until the job is done.”…..
Eglin AFB
COUNTY, EGLIN AFB PARTNER TO HELP
SUSTAIN NW FLORIDA'S WATER SUPPLY
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 17 February 2017
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=18eee00d21&e=28cebe069c
One of the first partnerships to come out of Okaloosa County’s effort to take advantage of the new
authority allowing installations and their host communities to enter into intergovernmental support
agreements will provide Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with reclaimed water for two of its golf courses. The
partnership is less about fiscal savings but, rather, is an attempt to preserve local aquifers and sustain the
region’s long-term water supply. Eglin would not just be a beneficiary, though, as the Air Force has
agreed to charge the county’s water and sewer department less than fair market value for the utilities
easement needed to construct a 10-mile pipeline across its property.
A case study of the collaboration spearheaded by the county’s Tri-County Community Partnership
Initiative will be featured as one of six “Innovators” at the Installation Innovation Forum 2017 in San
Antonio from Feb. 27-March 1. For more information about the forum and to register, visit the IIF
website.
Tyndall AFB
More than meets the eye at Exercises Combat Archer
and Combat Hammer
Posted on February 10, 2017 by Capt Mat Strong
https://www.skiesmag.com/news/meets-eye-exercises-combat-archer-combat-hammer/
“You’re only as good as your last success.”
This saying has never rung more true than for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-188 Hornet fighter
community. From air and ground crews to all support personnel–no matter their stage of development, the
entire team works tirelessly to develop and maintain their skills and to find new opportunities to improve
and develop over time.
After all, credibility, reputation and–even more importantly–lives can be on the line.
And this is what Exercises Combat Archer and Combat Hammer are about: Taking what has been
learned, perfecting it and then building on it as much as possible.
The backdrop for this period of growth and development, from Jan. 16 to Feb. 10, 2017, was Tyndall Air
Force Base in northern Florida.
Members of 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta.’s 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron, plus others from the RCAF’s
fighter and transport communities, worked alongside their United States Air Force counterparts to hone
and develop their air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons employment capabilities. They carried out the
training across the entire spectrum of operations: from storage and transportation of their weapons, to
preparation and, finally, to employment on a target….
NS Mayport
NAVSTA Mayport Named East Coast Base for MQ-4C
Triton UAS
Release Date: 2/15/2017 7:05:00 PM, From U.S. Fleet Forces Command
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98915
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy has selected Naval Station (NS) Mayport in Florida as the East
Coast Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), Feb. 15,
2017.
Mayport will be a permanent duty station for about 400 Triton UAS personnel and will support rotational
deployments outside the continental United States. Facility construction will begin this year with the first
Triton UAS scheduled to arrive in 2020.
"The MQ-4C Triton's advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities bring enhanced
battlespace awareness for the fleet to achieve full spectrum superiority," said Adm. Phil Davidson,
Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces.
Triton UAS is an unmanned, unarmed, remotely controlled aircraft employed to enhance maritime
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data collection to the fleet, providing both tactical and
strategic mission capabilities as part of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force,
headquartered on the east coast at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville in Florida.
Triton UAS is a multiple-sensor unmanned aircraft that is 48 feet long with a wingspan of 131 feet. The
MQ-4C Triton UAS will conduct operations over water, with most operations occurring over
international waters 12 miles or more offshore.
Triton UAS uses a "remote split" operational concept, where mission crews are located at a Main
Operating Base (MOB), while air vehicles and maintenance personnel are located at a FOB. The East
Coast Triton UAS squadron (VUP-19) MOB is based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville.
As the east coast FOB, Mayport will be the launch and recovery site for four forward-based MQ-4C
Triton UAS aircraft and consolidated maintenance hub for up to four additional aircraft.
The U.S. Navy completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzed the environmental impacts
associated with establishing facilities and functions to support the East Coast home basing and
maintenance of the Triton UAS. The EA looked at three potential locations: NS Mayport; NAS Key West
in Florida; and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Wallops Flight Facility on the
Eastern Shore of Virginia. The final EA identified no significant environmental impacts at any of the
three sites……
Navy selects Mayport Naval Station as location for
drone squadron
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted February 15, 2017 05:02 pm | Updated 08:15 pm,
http://jacksonville.com/news/2017-02-15/navy-selects-mayport-naval-station-location-drone-squadron
A decision by the U.S. Navy to make Mayport Naval Station the East Coast home for the basing and
maintenance of its new drone program means 400 additional personnel permanently stationed in
Northeast Florida.
Mayport beat out Key West Naval Air Station and the NASA Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Va., on
Wednesday for the opportunity to become the East Coast Forward Operating Base for the MQ-4C Triton
Unmanned Aircraft System, according to the Navy.
The plan is to establish a launch and recovery site for four drones on the base as well as a maintenance
hub for up to four more unmanned aircraft, according to the Navy. Jacksonville Naval Air Station is
already the training hub for the drones, and it was also the home of the first operation squadron, VUP-19,
according to the Navy.
The unmanned, unarmed, remote-controlled aircraft are meant to provide tactical and strategic mission
capabilities as part of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force already based in Jacksonville,
according to the Navy……
NAS Jacksonville
Naval Air Force Atlantic names Sailors of the Year
By Emily Satchell, Published: February 13, 2017, 10:06 pm Updated: February 13, 2017, 10:06 pm
http://wavy.com/2017/02/13/naval-air-force-atlantic-names-sailors-of-the-year/
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Naval Air Force Atlantic announced the selections for Sailors of
the Year on Thursday, Feb. 9.
Naval Air Crewman Operator First Class (AWO1)(NAC/AW/SW) Marc Deskin and Aviation
Ordnanceman First Class (AO1)(AW/SW) Christopher Carter were chosen as Sea and Shore Sailors of
the Year, respectively.
Deskin is a Winston-Salem, North Carolina native. He is currently attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 at
Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, where he serves as the Tactics Department leading petty officer.
Carter, a Hyattsville, Maryland native, is currently attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron
(HSM) 40 at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. There, he serves as the Maintenance Department leading
petty officer.
Rear Admiral Bruce Lindsey, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, praised both sailors for their
accomplishments…..
MacDill AFB
Rep. Castor 'very frustrated' ferry to MacDill Air Force
Base is taking so long
By Steve Contorno, Times Staff Writer, Published: February 9, 2017
http://www.tbo.com/news/rep-castor-very-frustrated-ferry-to-macdill-air-force-base-is-taking-so-long-20170209/
TAMPA — There would be no hard feelings if Hillsborough County decided to turn down federal
money for a ferry connecting MacDill Air Force Base to south county and go it alone, U.S. Rep. Kathy
Castor said.
Still, Castor told the Tampa Bay Times she is "very frustrated" that county leaders are only now
debating the best path forward to make the ferry a reality. Castor announced the $4.8 million Federal
Transit Administration grant in 2014 and the project remains in limbo three years later.
"It is frustrating to win a large federal grant and not be gung-ho at home about getting this done,"
Castor, D-Tampa, said.
The proposed ferry would service south and east Hillsborough residents commuting to and from
MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa. The Department of Defense is very supportive of the project,
Castor said, because it will help ease travel times for base personnel.
The Hillsborough County Commission voted last week to study whether boats could get in the water
faster if Hillsborough rejects the grant money and instead pays for the ferry line on its own. Unlocking
the federal dollars requires extensive environmental study that county staff says takes several years.
But commissioners will have to decide if speeding up the time frame is worth sacrificing the federal
aid. The project is expected to cost between $25 million and $30 million to purchase the boats and to
build the south county landing dock and adjacent parking.…..
Former President George W. Bush holds book signing
in Tampa
By WFLA Web Staff, Published: February 16, 2017, 5:30 pm, Updated: February 16, 2017, 5:30 pm
http://wfla.com/2017/02/16/former-president-george-w-bush-holds-book-signing-in-tampa/
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – President George W. Bush is headed to Tampa for the next leg of his
book tour.
The former president will be at MacDill Air Force Base on Monday, February 27 to sign copies
of Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors, a collection of
oil paintings by Bush of American servicemen and women.
The book includes stories written by Bush about each subject, honoring their service and
shedding light on their sacrifices.
To meet the former president, attendees must wear wristbands, which are available for
purchase at the MacDill Main Exchange (813-824-0511).
Customers are limited to three copies of Portraits of Courage for the former president to
sign. All proceeds will go towards the George W. Bush Presidential Center and its Military
Service Initiative.
Defense Industry
Gov. Scott Announces GKN Aerospace to Open First
Florida Location in Bay County
On February 15, 2017, in News Releases, by Staff
http://www.flgov.com/2017/02/15/gov-scott-announces-gkn-aerospace-to-open-first-florida-location-in-bay-county/
BAY COUNTY, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that GKN Aerospace will be opening
their first location in Florida. The company will be expanding their U.S. operations by locating a new
manufacturing facility in Bay County which will create 170 new jobs and invest more than $50 million in
the local community. Governor Scott previously met with GKN Aerospace officials during a trade
mission to the Farnborough International Air Show in London with Enterprise Florida last summer. The
company is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the international aviation industry.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that GKN Aerospace has chosen Florida to open their new
manufacturing facility. GKN is a global company, and I was proud to meet with them during the
Farnborough International Air Show last summer to encourage the company to grow in Florida. Thanks to
our efforts to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations, combined with the hard work of Enterprise
Florida and local economic development organizations, GKN will be creating 170 new jobs for families
in Bay County. I look forward to seeing their future success in Florida.”
The new facility will be located at VentureCrossings near Northwest Florida Beaches International
Airport. With over 100 years of experience, GKN Aerospace uses advanced manufacturing technologies
to supply high-value, integrated assemblies in both metallic and composite materials to the aviation
industry. GKN Aerospace employs approximately 17,000 people in more than 60 locations across three
continents.
Mike Grunza, CEO of GKN Aerospace’s Aerostructures North America business said, “This investment
emphasizes our commitment to manufacturing in North America, as this new world-class facility will
create jobs and strengthen our competitive position in the US aerospace market for the future. The
excellent support we have received from Bay County EDA, Governor Rick Scott’s office, higher
educational partners and The St. Joe Company made Florida an ideal location for GKN.”
Senator George Gainer said, “This project is an excellent example of how our focused economic
development recruitment efforts are helping to create good jobs for the citizens of Bay County and the
entire Northwest Florida region.”
Chris Hart IV, CEO and President of Enterprise Florida, Inc., said, “Thanks to global leaders like GKN
Aerospace, Florida continues to be the world’s premier gateway to space. GKN is a perfect fit for Bay
County and the highly skilled aerospace and manufacturing workforce there. More than 85,000 Floridians
work in the aviation and aerospace industries statewide and the state’s universities are among the nation’s
top producers of STEM graduates. We thank GKN for choosing Florida and look forward to watching
them grow here.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “GKN
Aerospace’s expansion in Northwest Florida highlights our state’s growing aerospace manufacturing
industry, which provides thousands of high-skill, high-wage opportunities for Floridians. Because of
Governor Scott’s commitment to tax cuts, Florida is a competitive place for manufacturers like GKN to
succeed.”
This project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the University of
West Florida, Bay County Economic Development Alliance, the Florida Department of Economic
Opportunity, Bay County Board of County Commissioners, CareerSource Florida, CareerSource Gulf
Coast and Gulf Coast State College…..
DoD Budget
Budget Woes May Force Navy to Shutter Two Carrier
Air Wings
POSTED BY: HOPE HODGE SECK FEBRUARY 9, 2017
HTTPS://WWW.DODBUZZ.COM/2017/02/09/BUDGET-WOES-MAY-FORCE-NAVY-SHUTTER-TWOCARRIER-AIR-WINGS/
If the Pentagon must contend with a year-long continuing resolution that keeps funding levels flat — or if
Congress can’t pass a supplemental defense budget this fiscal year — two of the Navy’s 10 carrier air
wings will go dark, and two more will be reduced to bare minimum capacity, the service’s number two
officer told lawmakers Wednesday.
At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on readiness, the service vice
chiefs urged the panel to fund force strength increases and warned of the dire consequences of leaving
sequestration budget cuts in place.
Adm. Bill Moran, vice chief of naval operations, said the impact for the Navy would be immediate: Two
carrier air wings would cease operations entirely, and two would operate at that “tactical hard deck” of 11
flight hours per pilot per month, the minimum allowable for safety.
In addition, he said, 14 ship maintenance availabilities, including one submarine availability, would be
pushed into fiscal 2018. This is particularly troubling, he noted, as the next fiscal year faces the prospect
of spending caps known as sequestration…..
Thornberry: Politics hid depth of readiness crisis until
now
By TOM PHILPOTT | Special to Stars and Stripes | Published: February 16, 2017
https://www.stripes.com/thornberry-politics-hid-depth-of-readiness-crisis-until-now-1.454377
The House Armed Services Committee heard bracing testimony last week from the vice chiefs of
Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps on how training, equipment, personnel strength and
overall readiness have reached crisis levels. But what most struck committee Chairman Rep.
Mac Thornbery, R-Texas, he said in an interview Monday, were the grim details service leaders
are ready to share.
“We’ve been focusing on this readiness issue for some time, and the answer we always got back
from the Pentagon was, ‘Oh, this is not really a problem,’ ” said Thornberry. “Now you see the
services freer to talk about the problems.”
“That’s what concerns me,” he continued. “That we had this resistance to there even being a
problem. And now it’s gotten so bad [with] stories and statistics you heard across the board last
week. That’s the worst thing. That we have let this problem get so bad because it was politically
inconvenient to deal with it.”
Service leaders had complained often about the strain of defense cuts over for a decade due to
the 2011 Budget Control Act. They also criticized the congressional crutch of starting every
fiscal year under a continuing budget resolution — which freezes spending and blocks new
programs — simply because lawmakers can’t pass appropriations bills on time. It’s happening
again for a ninth straight year. Five months into fiscal 2017, service budgets remain capped.
But the four-stars who testified last week described the crisis in fuller detail, comparing 2017 to
the “hollow force” era of late 1970s. They pointed to shrunken fleets of aging ships and aircraft,
deteriorating infrastructure, and shortages of pilots and aircraft maintainers. Manpower strength
has been cut so deep that the U.S. military can’t fulfill the national strategy, if broader wars
break out, to defeat one near-peer adversary and to check the aggression of another.
Thornberry suggested the openness stems from a new president promising to restore readiness
and his party holding majorities in both chambers of Congress.
“No question there was tremendous political pressure on them to basically downplay readiness
concerns, to not [say] anything that would justify an increased budget last year. And it put them
in a bad place.”
HASC LIKELY TO MARK UP NDAA IN MAY
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 17 February 2017
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=18eee00d21&e=28cebe069c
On Thursday, Rep. Thornberry said he plans for the House Armed Services Committee to mark up the
fiscal 2018 defense authorization bill at some point in May. In recent years, the committee’s markup has
taken place in April but with the Trump administration not expected to submit a new budget request until
May the committee is pushing back action on the defense policy measure. … Separately, the chairman
appointed vice chairs for each subcommittee, with Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) being named vice
chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee. A list of the other panels’ vice chairs can be found on
the committee website.
Mattis is 'alone' in plans to boost defense budget, says
House Armed Services Committee chair
By: Joe Gould, February 17, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/mattis-is-alone-in-plans-to-boost-defense-budget-says-house-armed-servicescommittee-chair
WASHINGTON — House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry worries the young Trump
administration’s slow pace getting Pentagon jobs filled — and Obama administration holdovers at DoD—
may hurt plans to boost defense spending.
In a press conference Thursday, Thornberry said new Defense Secretary James Mattis is “doing a great
job, but so far he doesn’t have anybody else in a Senate-confirmed position.” Thornberry fears holdover
DoD staff who resisted his alarms over military readiness problems won’t change their stripes.
“The problem is it’s Secretary Mattis alone right now,” said Thornberry, R-Texas. “So you have a number
of people, political appointees and others from the Obama administration, and they have been the ones
trying to deny there’s a problem. They’re well intentioned people, patriotic Americans, but it’s hard for
any of us to turn 180 degrees in the other direction.”
Three weeks into the Trump administration, roughly 75 percent of political appointee jobs inside the
Defense Department were vacant, and there were 16 holdovers from the Obama administration, including
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work and the three acting secretaries of the military departments.
In a statement responding to Thornberry's remarks, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a DoD spokesman, said
Work "plays an important role in working with the services to develop our budget inputs, and he does so
in accordance with the guidance and direction of Secretary Mattis." Mattis has given Work his "full trust
and confidence," Davis said.
"The budget submissions that DoD makes to the President will come from Secretary Mattis," Davis said
in a statement. "They will reflect his thinking, and his priorities, which are to rebuild combat readiness of
America's military, while being faithful stewards of every taxpayer dollar we spend on defense."….
Other Of Interest
Congressional delegation vows to tackle Florida's
many water issues
Alex Leary, Times Washington Bureau Chief, Wednesday, February 15, 2017 11:35am
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/florida-congressional-delegation-vows-to-tackle-stateswater-issues/2313298
WASHINGTON - Florida's congressional delegation, which stretches from the far left to the far right, has
successfully joined together to fight oil drilling efforts. Now the lawmakers are seeking common cause on
a broader array of water quality issues facing the state.
A group of Republican and Democratic members met this morning to discuss algae blooms, red tide,
Everglades restoration and Apalachicola Bay, even the sewage situation in St. Petersburg.
“Let’s get the politics out of this and make a difference,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, cochairman of the delegation. “We should be doing all we can to preserve the natural beauty of our state’s
beaches and waterways. Coasts, lakes and rivers are key contributors to Florida’s thriving economy and
serve as a vital habitat for plants and wildlife.”
It was the first meeting of the delgation this year and members posed questions to officials from the Army
Corps and NOAA.
Attending the meeting was Buchanan, Neal Dunn, Gus Bilirakis, Darren Soto, John Rutherford, Francis
Rooney, Charlie Crist, Al Lawson, Ted Yoho, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Frederica Wilson, Brian Mast
and Lois Frankel.
"We are a powerful delegation when we united together," Wasserman Schultz said, recalling the effort to
fight oil drilling. She and Buchanan are preparing new legislation against drilling.
Buchanan said he wants the group to develop a multi-year plan. "A lot of things have been brushed under
the rug for too long and now we need to get a comprehensive vision."
Enlisted Leaders Ask Congress to Maintain Military
Readiness, Fund Credentialing Program
By Shannon Collins, DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2017
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1083772/enlisted-leaders-ask-congress-to-maintain-militaryreadiness-fund-credentialing
In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, the military’s top enlisted advisors
and the acting assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs discussed the importance of
single service member and military family readiness programs.
“Our Navy is at optimal potential when sailors are fully focused on the mission. Taking care of our sailors
is key to ensuring the Navy’s military readiness,” said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven S.
Giordano. “Providing them the ability to devote their full attention and capabilities to the mission at hand
is an important factor in successfully executing our design for maintaining maritime superiority,
specifically our line of effort to strengthen our Navy team for the future.”
He, along with the other service chiefs, said they met with thousands of service members and their
families who serve alongside them.
“I’ve listened and spoken with many of our sailors and their family members, and I’m awed by their high
morale and devotion to duty and to one another,” Giordano said.
“My wife and I have visited thousands of airmen and family members over the past year, and we have
listened to their concerns and witnessed firsthand their passion for service,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the
Air Force James A. Cody. “We both can affirm the impact the current environment and uncertainty has
had on our force.”….
February 24
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #52 will be in person in Tallahassee, FL on
Thursday, 16 March 2017, beginning at 9:00AM at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 3388
Lonnbladh Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308. More details to follow in the coming weeks.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. House and Senate Committee Meetings – Both Florida Chambers held committee
meetings concerning Military and Veterans Affairs this week. The Senate Military and
Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee met and heard two military /
veteran related bills including SB 370 by Stargel on Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol
and SB 440 by Gibson on Notaries Public as well as an update from Veterans
Florida. The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee heard
consideration of the following proposed military / veteran related committee bills: PCB
LFV 17-01 on Florida National Guard Foundation/DSO and PCB LFV 17-02 on Florida
Veterans Foundation/DSO, as well as consideration of HB 401 on Notaries Public among
other bills. All veteran related bills were considered favorably.
4. Eglin AFB Range Enhancement Visit – TPG, the Task Force Vice Chair and Task
Force Staff met with Eglin AFB leadership to discuss enhancements to the Southeast
Range. The visit was a very good opportunity to understand the role of the 96th Test
Wing in the overall management of the Gulf Range Complex and the future requirements
to ensure it remains a national asset for military test and training missions.
5. Defense Community Awards Season Opens – According to “On Base” with Dan
Cohen on 21 Feb 2017, “ADC has opened the nominations process for the 2017 Defense
Community Awards program, an effort to highlight the achievements and leaders in
defense communities and on military installations. ADC will present this year’s awards
at the Defense Communities Congressional Luncheon during the Defense Communities
National Summit, June 19-21, at the Washington Hilton.” The award categories are:
 Community or State Leadership Award
 Military Leadership Award
 John Lynch Base Redevelopment Award
The deadline for nominations is March 24. Award criteria and other details are available
on the ADC website at this link: http://www.defensecommunities.org/awards/.
6. Florida Rock Parcel Update – DEP notified us that Florida Rock has the undeveloped
portion of the parcel currently under contract to a commercial developer whose current
plan is not to seek rezoning, but to develop the property in a manner consistent with the
existing improvements; mixed-use commercial. The FDSTF, Tampa Bay Defense
Alliance, DEO, Division of State Lands and several other interested parties continue to
keep our proverbial “finger on the pulse” to make sure we can be proactive if a plan to
rezone the property to any residential type uses is contemplated or submitted. In
summary, this is a positive status update to ensure we are protecting the operational
integrity of MacDill.
7. FDA Meeting on 15 March 2017 in Tallahassee – The next FDA meeting will be the
day prior to our 16 March 2017 Task Force meeting also in Tallahassee. There will be a
combined mixer for FDA and FDSTF members following the FDA meeting on
Wednesday evening from 5:00-6:00 PM – location TBD.
8. Military / Veteran Related Bills Filed This Week – There were 13 new bills filed last
week. To review or track House Bills, go to www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills
(SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page
if you would like current status throughout session. Attached is the current summary of
all bills filed to date.
 HB 3619 Relating to UCF Restores - PTSD Clinic for Florida Veterans and
First Responders (Miller (M))
UCF Restores - PTSD Clinic for Florida Veterans and First Responders: Provides
an appropriation for the UCF Restores - PTSD Clinic for Florida Veterans and
First Responders. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 3641 Relating to Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library (Eagle)
Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library: Provides an appropriation for the
Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 3669 Relating to BayCare Behavioral Health – Veteran Intervention
Program (Burgess)
BayCare Behavioral Health – Veteran Intervention Program: Provides an
appropriation for the BayCare Behavioral Health – Veteran Intervention Program.
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 1132 Relating to Postsecondary Fee Waivers (Gainer)
Postsecondary Fee Waivers; Authorizing a Florida College System institution to
waive any portion of certain postsecondary fees for active duty members of the
Armed Forces of the United States using military tuition assistance; specifying
that the student who receives such waiver may be reported for state funding
purposes, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 SB 1142 Relating to Tax Credit for Hiring Veterans (Artiles)
Tax Credit for Hiring Veterans; Citing this act as the "Florida Veterans
Employment Act; establishing a tax credit for hiring veterans; establishing an
additional credit for hiring disabled veterans; revising the order in which credits
against the corporate income tax or franchise tax may be taken to include credits
for hiring veterans; revising the term “adjusted federal income” to include certain
tax credits taken relating to hiring veterans, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 HB 7031 Relating to Department of Veterans' Affairs Direct-support
Organization (Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee)
Department of Veterans' Affairs Direct-support Organization: Abrogates
scheduled repeal of provisions governing direct-support organization established
by DVA. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 3891 Relating to National Cyber Partnership - Cyber Training for
Veterans (Latvala (C))
National Cyber Partnership - Cyber Training for Veterans: Provides an
appropriation for the National Cyber Partnership - Cyber Training for Veterans.
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 1172 Relating to Directional Signs For Veterans' Facilities (Farmer)
Directional Signs for Veterans' Facilities; Authorizing the Department of
Transportation to install directional signs for specified facilities operated and
maintained by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, etc. Effective
Date: 10/1/2017
 SB 1166 Relating to Honor and Remember Flag (Lee (T))
Honor and Remember Flag; Designating the Honor and Remember flag as an
emblem of the state; authorizing that the flag be displayed at specified locations,
on specified days, and in a specified manner; requiring displayed flags to be
manufactured in the United States, etc. Effective Date: 1/1/2018
 HB 0995 Relating to Tax Incentive to Hire Veterans (Silvers)
Tax Incentive to Hire Veterans: Creates "Florida Veterans Employment Act" to
provide tax credit for hiring veterans & to establish additional credit for hiring
disabled veterans; provides cap on total tax credits per calendar year; authorizes
DOR to establish guidelines & to adopt emergency rules; revises "adjusted federal
income" to include tax credit. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 0959 Relating to Honor and Remember Flag (Mariano)
Honor and Remember Flag: Designates Honor & Remember flag as state
emblem; authorizes display of flag at specified locations, on specified days, & in
specified manner; requires flags to be manufactured in U.S.; provides for adoption
of certain regulations & for procurement & distribution of flags. Effective Date:
January 1, 2018
 HB 7029 Relating to Department of Military Affairs Direct-support
Organization (Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee)
Department of Military Affairs Direct-support Organization: Abrogates scheduled
repeal of provisions governing direct-support organization established by DMA.
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 3895 Relating to Purchase of Artifacts from the Armed Forces Military
Museum (Latvala (C))
Purchase of Artifacts from the Armed Forces Military Museum: Provides an
appropriation for the Purchase of Artifacts from the Armed Forces Military Museum.
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
9. Attachments:
 Bi-Weekly TPG Conference Call
 Updated list of military / veteran friendly bills
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
FDSTF
Gov. Scott Announces 2016-2017 Florida Defense
Support Task Force Grant Awards
On February 22, 2017, in News Releases, by Staff
http://www.flgov.com/2017/02/22/gov-scott-announces-2016-2017-florida-defense-support-task-force-grantawards/
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that $765,000 has been awarded
through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program to three projects that serve to protect
military installations across the state. This year, awards were given to the Greater Pensacola Chamber of
Commerce, South Florida Progress Foundation of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and the
Clay County Development Authority. Florida’s military installations contribute more than $79.8 billion in
economic impact, and the defense industry supports more than 774,000 jobs in Florida.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce $765,000 in Florida Defense Support Task Force Grants to
help protect, preserve and enhance Florida’s military installations. We are proud to be the most militaryfriendly state in the nation and this funding not only supports our military members but the thousands of
families that have jobs across the state thanks to our military installations. We will continue to do all we
can to recognize the many brave military men and women, and their families, whose service and sacrifice
keeps our country safe.”
Grant funding will support community projects at Florida military installations that will diversify the
local economy, provide support for local infrastructure projects and strengthen Florida’s bases ahead of
any potential Department of Defense realignment or closure actions. For more information on the
individual grant award for projects throughout the state, see below:
Escambia County: $250,000 in Defense Grants
$250,000 was awarded to the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce through the Florida Defense
Support Task Force Grant Program for fiscal year 2016-17 to reroute traffic to the Naval Aviation
Museum from the main gate to a more direct access point in an effort to enhance protection and base
security. Additionally, the project protects the positive economic impact the museum has on the base and
the community.
Rear Admiral Don Quinn, USN (ret), Vice Chairman, Armed Service, Greater Pensacola Chamber said,
“Pensacola is proud to host the world’s largest Naval Aviation Museum, the historic Pensacola
Lighthouse and Museum, and Ft. Barrancas, all located on board the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola
and open to the public. Consolidating civilian visitors to the west gate for those venues allows NAS
Pensacola to provide a more efficient flow of traffic while ensuring the security of operational areas of the
installation. This grant from the Florida Defense Support Task Force will allow the Pensacola
community to educate visitors of the changes to base access while reducing the demands on NAS
Pensacola security personnel.
Miami-Dade County: $115,000 in Defense Grants
$115,000 was awarded to the South Florida Progress Foundation of the Greater Miami Chamber of
Commerce through the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program for fiscal year 2016-17 to
establish the South Florida Defense Alliance. The alliance’s mission will be to unite, champion and
represent the local defense community.
Col. Steve Williamson, USA (Ret), Military Affairs Committee, Greater Miami Chamber said, “Our
communities are better when we work together. We are honored at the Greater Miami Chamber of
Commerce to be a recipient of this generous grant that reinforces the importance of the military’s
presence in our state. We know that the military in South Florida is one of our great treasures and this
funding gives us the opportunity to create a South Florida Defense Alliance to strengthen and lead a
united coalition to champion our local defense community.”
Clay County: $400,000 in Defense Grants
$400,000 was awarded to the Clay County Development Authority through the Florida Defense Support
Task Force Grant Program for fiscal year 2016-17. The funding continues the Clay County Development
Authority’s commitment to preserving and protecting the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center (CBJTC)
from incompatible land development and encroachment. The funding, in addition to a federal match, will
purchase land valued at over a million dollars.
Josh Cockrell of the Clay County Development Authority said, “In accordance with our principal purpose
of promoting sound economic development of Clay County, the Clay County Development Authority is
pleased to receive this grant that will strengthen the strategic partnership with Camp Blanding Joint
Training Center to improve the quality of life for our citizens by securing a buffer from future
development and encroachment thus protecting the installation that comprises almost one fifth of the
county and is tied to its economic viability. We are pleased to work with Governor Rick Scott and the
Florida Defense Support Task Force to support Camp Blanding as a premier regional training center. This
is a remarkable opportunity not only to strengthen our part in national security, but promote jobs and
economic development at both the local and state levels.”
BRAC
News Flash: Closing U.S. Military Bases Might Not
Save America Money
Harvey M. Sapolsky, February 19, 2017
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/news-flash-closing-us-military-bases-might-not-save-america-19497
It is that time again, when all the quick-fix budgeteers call for another Base Closure and Realignment
Commission (BRAC), promising billions of dollars in defense budget savings if only those wasteful
Congress people give up their rights to oversee defense spending and supposedly their bitter clinger grip
on the bases in their communities. It doesn’t matter that it is hard to document real savings from recent
BRACs. Rather, they say, here is another way to create magic money—savings in out years—that we all
can use as is our preference, either for more defense hardware or taxpayer savings.
In the eyes of the BRAC proponents no one gets hurt. It is all win-win. The military gets to dump some
useless and costly bases in order to maintain other facilities. The locals get to put the excess property to
more productive use: say, how about a brand new international airport or waterside apartments and a first
class golf resort? The vision is that soldiers and sailors are sent off to drive drunk someplace else while
the local community attracts highly paid workers and their families from across the country for a new
innovation center.
To be sure, good things can happen when bases close. I would have been happy to invest in the Presidio,
Governors Island or Fort Sheridan if given the chance. Bases located in the middle of thriving cities or
along the coast can find more productive uses than military motor pools and weapons storage facilities. I
am all for kicking the Naval War College off its island in Newport and onto Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst in New Jersey. Condos with a view of Narragansett Bay would sell quite well.
The savings from base closures are important only when an activity is eliminated and forces
demobilized—not when they are relocated and put a in classy new buildings at another facility. Tons of
money and years of effort are needed to clean up bases so that they can be reused. Military sites are
notorious for their toxic contaminations, the product of past bad habits and the need to deal with weapons
testing and training……
Why military base closures could actually happen this
time
By JACQUELINE KLIMAS (@JACQKLIMAS) • 2/21/17 12:01 AM
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-military-base-closures-could-actually-happen-this-time/article/2615066
The election of a businessman with a focus on cutting waste to the White House. Growing concern in
Congress that military readiness has reached critically low levels. And the military pleading once again
to be able to get rid of some of its excess infrastructure.
Combined, these three factors point to 2017 being the first year in many in which base realignment and
closures could actually happen, after several years of BRAC being one of those automatic, dead-onarrival propositions. That's because they equate to lost jobs back home for savings that take years to
realize.
And analysts warned that while they're more optimistic this year than in the past that closures could
occur, it's far from a done deal and could be derailed by political fighting or a lack of commitment to the
cause from President Trump.
The Pentagon released a report in March that said the Defense Department has 22 percent excess
infrastructure. It asked in its fiscal 2017 budget request for $4 million to begin the planning for another
round of BRAC in 2019, which Congress denied. This month, top officers reignited the plea before the
House Armed Services Committee, and key lawmakers have brought the issue of base closures back
into the spotlight……
Eglin AFB
SunLink chosen to rack 1.4 million panels in Florida
FEBRUARY 22, 2017 FRANK ANDORKA
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/02/22/swinerton-selects-sunlink-to-rack-its-1-4-million-panel-florida-dodportfolio/
Is it possible for Christmas to come nine months early? SunLink might swear that it can.
Even if the answer is “no”, it still must have felt like a holiday when they found out that California utilityscale solar developer Swinerton Renewable Energy had chosen the company’s GeoPro fixed-tilt racking
systems to hold the panels in its 165 MW portfolio of ground-mount projects for the U.S. Air
Force and U.S. Navy.
The portfolio consists of three projects in Valparaiso, Navarre and Pensacola (in the Florida Panhandle).
Construction has already begun and are expected to be completed this summer…..
Tyndall AFB
AF, Navy team up to save money with communications
tower
By Senior Airman Dustin Mullen, 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published February 22, 2017
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/1090952/af-navy-team-up-to-save-money-withcommunications-tower.aspx
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The Air Force is constantly looking for innovative
ideas and solutions to save money and resources, and this effort recently paid off by utilizing a sister
service asset to create a huge cost saving solution.
The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group teamed up with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Naval Support
Activity Panama City, to utilize the Navy’s recently-built communications tower to replace the 53rd
WEG’s unserviceable and outdated Gulf Range Drone Control System tower. These towers are essential
for triangulating communications for controlling unmanned drones over the Gulf of Mexico.
This innovative investment took approximately one year to accomplish and will save hundreds of
thousands of taxpayer dollars.
“We identified an impending shortfall and we sought innovative solutions,” said Col. Lance Wilkins, the
53rd Weapons Evaluation Group commander. “By doing that, instead of buying a new tower outright, we
were able to take an innovative idea and free up time, money and resources that can be better utilized
elsewhere.”
Constructing a new tower would have cost an estimated $700,000, and leasing a commercial tower would
cost approximately $9,000 annually.
Due to good relationships with the Navy, the 53rd WEG was able to avoid a potential mission failure by
using assets already in place……
NS Mayport
Change of command goes from one woman to another
for first time at Navy Region Southeast
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted February 23, 2017 12:05 pm | Updated 05:39 pm,
http://jacksonville.com/news/military/2017-02-23/change-command-goes-one-woman-another-first-time-navyregion-southeast
A long-standing tradition at Navy Region Southeast featured a new wrinkle Thursday morning at
Jacksonville Naval Air Station when a female admiral relinquished her command to another woman for
the first time in the region’s history.
Rear Adm. Mary M. Jackson told the audience she hadn’t accepted the fact that her 2½ years in charge of
the 18 installations in the region were actually over, but her close relationship with Rear Adm. Babette
“Bette” Bolivar eased some of her reluctance to move on.
“Bette, you’re getting the best region around,” Jackson told her replacement as she stood at the podium
inside a hangar in front of a decorated audience of military and civilian personnel.
Bolivar comes to Jacksonville after spending the last 2½ years as commander of Joint Region Marianas
on Guam in the Pacific. Navy Region Southeast is the third region she’s commanded, after spending the
early years of her career as a Navy diver.
Both Bolivar and Jackson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and got to know each other well from
their time climbing the ranks in various aspects of surface warfare.
NAS Jacksonville
Fire and Emergency Services recognized for regional
excellence
Posted: Wed, 02/22/2017 - 1:16pm, From Staff
http://jaxairnews.jacksonville.com/military-mayport-mirror-jax-air-news/2017-02-22/story/fire-and-emergencyservices-recognized
The First Coast Navy Fire & Emergency Services, which is comprised of the NAS Jacksonville and NS
Mayport Fire Departments, has been selected as Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) Fire
Department of the Year (large category) for 2016. The department has earned this award four times in the
past six years.
The Fire Prevention Division also earned top honors for their exceptional performance and dedication.
NAS Jax Fire Engineer Kevin Meeks is the region’s civilian firefighter of the year and Fire Inspector
Anita Wilson of Naval Station Mayport is the fire inspector of the year.
“I am so very proud of our team and all they have accomplished,” said First Coast Navy Fire Chief Mark
Brusoe. “It takes great dedication by our firefighters to continuously meet the needs of our community
which they do every single day.”
One of the biggest challenges in 2016 was providing support at Cecil Commerce Center during the NAS
Jax runway construction project. The team successfully coordinated a joint municipal/federal airfield
firefighting team, mitigating 85 emergencies. They also support the Pinecastle Range Complex and
Outlying Field Whitehouse.
Other mutual aid responses included assisting with 175-acre wildfire, several high level trauma cases,
multi-vehicle accidents and various health-related incidents…..
MacDill AFB
CAE receives authorization certificate for KC135 aircrew training system program
MARIANA IRIARTE, ASSOCIATE EDITOR, 23 FEBRUAURY 2017
HTTP://MIL-EMBEDDED.COM/NEWS/CAE-RECEIVES-AUTHORIZATION-CERTIFICATE-FOR-KC-135AIRCREW-TRAINING-SYSTEM-PROGRAM/
TAMPA, Fla. CAE USA officials received Authorization to Operate (ATO) on the U.S. Air Force's
Distributed Training Center Network (DTCN) under the KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS)
program. The first KC-135 operational flight trainer (OFT) to receive the ATO is located at Scott Air
Force Base (AFB).
The certificate, obtained by CAE USA's cybersecurity team, allows the KC-135 simulator systems to
operate on the DTCN. Additional KC-135 ATS sites, including March Air Reserve Base (ARB), Fairchild
AFB, Grissom ARB, and MacDill AFB, are expected to transition onto the DTCN in the 2017-2018
timeframe, officials say.
Receiving the Authorization to Operate on the DTCN means that KC-135 aircrew training devices can be
networked and connected to other Mobility Air Force (MAF) platforms so that the USAF can conduct
live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training on a secure and classified network.
The KC-135 Stratotanker provides aerial refuelling capabilities for the Air Force. The aircrew training
devices support this mission and help train more than 3,500 KC-135 aircrews annually.
CAE USA is the prime contractor on the KC-135 ATS program and began efforts more than a year ago to
connect the KC-135 simulator fleet to a virtual network where they can train with other aircrews in
simulators representing various platforms to provide virtual air refuelling….
US Special Operations Command
Global symposium brings military leaders, Green
Berets documentary to bay area
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Monday, February 20, 2017 5:30am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/global-symposium-brings-military-leaders-green-berets-documentary-tobay/2313801
By the end of this month, there will be about 500 U.S. troops, plus tanks, deployed to Romania. The
nation is a key ally in the fight against jihadi groups and a major military supply hub bordering Serbia and
Ukraine, two points of instability in Europe.
Against this backdrop, the Romanian chief of defense will be one of more than a dozen high-ranking
foreign and U.S. military officials coming to the Tampa area this week to speak at the third annual Global
SOF Symposium.
The symposium runs Tuesday through Thursday at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor.
Speakers include Adm. Kurt Tidd, commander of U.S. Southern Command; Lt. Gen. Joseph Osterman,
deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command; and top military leaders from Israel, France,
Spain and Sweden.
The symposium will also present the first screening of Legion of Brothers, a documentary about Green
Berets in the early days of Afghanistan, since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival.
With Romania creating its own Joint Special Operations Command headquarters, the symposium gives its
chief of defense, Gen. Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, a key opportunity to share his experience with other nations
seeking to create similar headquarters, said Stu Bradin, president and founder of the Tampa-based Global
SOF Foundation, which is putting on the symposium…..
SOFWERX innovators explore collaborations, find
connections in Tampa
CHERYL ROGERS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017
HTTP://WWW.83DEGREESMEDIA.COM/FEATURES/SOFWERX-GROWS-IDEAS-IN-TAMPA-022117.ASPX
Drones, or unmanned aircraft, are all the rage -- and lots of folks are looking for ways to use them for
carrying packages, inspecting property or even just to have fun.
Zach Levine and his friends’ interest was quite the opposite: Instead of studying a drone's capabilities,
they looked for its vulnerabilities. In the end, they found a way to take over drones and ground them, with
the goal of protecting American troops from attack.
Levine, along with Jeremy Smith, Kyle Castleline, Mason Jeffers and Matt Oldfield, accepted a challenge
from Tampa’s OpenWERX to study drone vulnerabilities. Levine’s team, Dunning-Kruger Experience,
delivered more than requested: They developed new software that can spoof a drone through its Global
Positioning System, forcing it to land as if it were in a no-fly zone.
The pilot maintains manual flight control, but after a certain distance he or she can’t see the drone
anymore. “It [the software] would make it impossible to carry out an attack unless they were 100 feet
away,” Levine says.
For its efforts, Dunning-Kruger Experience won $3,000 it plans to put toward starting a business together.
“We want to work on some inventions,” Levine says.
OpenWERX engages the public in a monthly contest to generate input about military and government
concerns. The competitions, which can be attended in person or by webinar, are just one way the U.S.
government is trying to make it easier for the public to deal with the bureaucracy, and meet its needs……
Cape Canaveral AFS
Falcon 9 lifts off on first mission from Kennedy Space
Center pad
By Jeff Foust — February 19, 2017, Updated 12:30 p.m. Eastern.
http://spacenews.com/falcon-9-lifts-off-on-first-mission-from-kennedy-space-center-pad/
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted off for the first time from a launch
site here previously used by Apollo and shuttle missions Feb. 19, placing a Dragon cargo spacecraft
into orbit.
The Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at 9:39 a.m. Eastern and placed the Dragon cargo
spacecraft into orbit 10 minutes later. The rocket’s first stage successfully landed at Landing Zone 1,
a former launch site at neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, eight minutes later.
The initial launch attempt Feb. 18 was scrubbed just 13 seconds before liftoff because of a problem
with the thrust vector control system in the rocket’s second stage. SpaceX Chief Executive Elon
Musk said in a series of tweets after that he halted the launch because the performance of a hydraulic
piston in that system looked “slightly odd.”
Musk said there was a 99 percent chance that the problem would not have affected the launch, but
“but that 1% chance isn’t worth rolling the dice. Better to wait a day.” The faulty component was
replaced overnight, according to SpaceX sources, and the rocket cleared for the launch.
The Dragon, flying a mission designated SpX-10 by NASA and CRS-10 by SpaceX, is carrying
2,490 kilograms of cargo for the ISS. The bulk of the Dragon’s payload are experiments and
instruments, including several Earth science sensors and technology demonstrations carried in the
Dragon’s external trunk that will later be mounted on the station’s exterior. Less than 300 kilograms
of cargo is devoted to crew supplies….
Lockheed to Move Fleet Ballistic Missile Program to
Florida, Colorado Facilities; Rick Ambrose Comments
Posted By: Jane Edwardson: February 24, 2017In: Featured, General, Industry News, News
http://blog.executivebiz.com/2017/02/rick-ambrose-lockheed-to-move-fleet-ballistic-missile-program-to-facilitiesin-florida-colorado/
Lockheed Martin plans to transfer the Fleet Ballistic Missile program from its space systems business’
facility in California to its other offices in Colorado and Florida in the next eight years.
The company plans to relocate approximately 650 FBM positions by 2024 in order to leverage employee
skillsets, infrastructure and other resources in Lockheed’s Florida and Colorado facilities, Lockheed said
Thursday.
Rick Ambrose, executive vice president of Lockheed’s space systems segment and an inductee
into Executive Mosaic’s Wash100, said the move to reshape the FBM program aims to allow the
company to centralize skills and take advantage of its manufacturing and engineering facilities in an effort
to help the Navy achieve cost savings on the initiative.
Lockheed will also relocate program management and functional support positions to other U.S. offices in
collaboration with the service branch.
The announcement comes a month after Lockheed and the military branch opened a newly renovated
facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to house the firm’s employees that work on the
FBM program.
Avon Park
Feral Hogs Root Through History
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 - 14:00, Brian Owens, Contributor (Inside Science)
https://www.insidescience.org/news/feral-hogs-root-through-history
Feral swine, first introduced by some of the earliest European explorers to America, have been roaming
Florida for the past 500 years, and are now present in at least 35 states. The invasive pigs are well-known
as a destructive environmental menace, tearing up sensitive habitats and endangered plants and animals in
their search for food. But the hogs can also dig up important archaeological sites, destroying an
irreplaceable historical record.
"The damage feral pigs do to everything else -- crops, wetlands, endangered species -- it can all grow
back," said Richard Engeman, a biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "But once you move
artifacts around, that doesn't grow back."
When rooting for food, the pigs regularly dig several inches or more below the surface, potentially
moving or destroying artifacts. The trails they make also speed up erosion.
Engeman and his colleagues have inspected more than 300 archaeological sites at two Air Force bases in
Florida -- Avon Park Air Force Range, near the middle of the state, and Eglin Air Force Base in the
Florida Panhandle. The researchers found that 42 percent of the sites on each base showed signs of
disturbance by feral swine. On Eglin, Engeman found that as much as 26 percent of the surface area of
some sites had been dug up by pigs. And he believes that to be an underestimate of the true damage…..
Homestead AFB
Fighter jets scrambled near Trump's Fla. estate to
intercept aircraft
CBS News, February 19, 2017, 11:24 AM
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fighter-jets-scrambled-near-trump-estate-to-intercept-aircraft/
A pair of Air Force F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept an unresponsive aircraft near President
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Friday, creating a “sonic boom” that alarmed nearby residents,
officials said.
“The intercept required the Air Force F-15s from Homestead Air National Guard Base to travel at
supersonic speeds, a sound noticed by area residents, to get to the general aviation aircraft where they
were able to establish communications,” the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
said in a statement late Friday.
Indeed, the loud noise unnerved some residents, prompting a flood of 911 calls. That prompted a response
by the Broward Sheriff’s office:
Booming sound heard in @CityofWeston and nearby cities was from military planes headed to Palm
Beach County. Please don't tie up 9-1-1.
“The intent of military intercepts is to have the identified aircraft re-establish communications with local
FAA air traffic controllers and instruct the pilot to follow air traffic controllers’ instructions to land safely
for follow-on action,” NORAD added.
The incident unfolded a day before Mr. Trump held a rally during his third straight weekend at his private
south Florida club. It was another working weekend for the president, who planned to interview at least
four potential candidates for the job of national security adviser, a position unexpectedly open after retired
Gen. Michael Flynn’s firing early this week….
US Southern Command
Former U.S. Ambassador Assumes Civilian Deputy
Role at SOUTHCOM
By U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs, Feb. 21, 2017
http://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/1088714/former-us-ambassador-assumes-civiliandeputy-role-at-southcom/
MIAMI -- Ambassador Liliana Ayalde has assumed duties as U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
Civilian Deputy to the Commander and Foreign Policy Advisor.
As the ranking Senior Foreign Service Officer at the command, Ayalde will lead interactions with the
U.S. Department of State, other civilian executive agencies, and state governments, and will provide
geopolitical, political-military, and economic advice.
Ambassador Ayalde comes to SOUTHCOM with 33 years of experience in the diplomatic service. She is
a member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Career Minister. She most recently served as the
U.S. Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil (2013-2016). Ayalde previously served as Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (Central America, the Caribbean, and Cuba),
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Latin American and Caribbean Bureau for the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of
Paraguay (2008-2011). While serving with USAID, she was posted in Bangladesh, Guatemala,
Nicaragua, Bolivia, Colombia, and Washington, D.C.
Ayalde is a native of Maryland and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of International
Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. and a Master of Public Health from Tulane
University in Louisiana. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. Ayalde is fluent in Spanish
and Portuguese and has a working knowledge of French.
Other Of Interest
Military family licensure problems in congressional crosshairs
By Scott Maucione | @smaucioneWFEDFebruary 17, 2017 1:51 pm3 min read
http://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2017/02/military-family-licensure-problems-congressional-crosshairs/
Lawmakers, military officials and service member interest groups are rallying around the need for
nationwide employment licensing changes for military spouses and those leaving the service.
The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing this week highlighted the disconnect
between military family life and the states’ professional credentialing systems for truck drivers, mental
health therapists, teachers and other occupations.
“We are making some inroads here, but … we do need to work on the civility of licensing and the
transferability,” Air Force Chief Master Sergeant James Cody told the Senate Armed Services
Subcommittee on Personnel during a Feb. 14 hearing.
Cody called for a national baseline on professional licenses for military spouses in order to ease the
burden on them.
“There [needs to be] at least some type of baseline foundation where everybody fundamentally agrees
that in this transition time we’re going to accept things as long as they need some minimum level,” Cody
said.
That would involve the cooperation of all the states.
The unemployment rate for military spouses is currently at 21 percent according to the 2016 Annual
Military Family Lifestyle Survey conducted by Blue Star Families.
Military interest groups worry that despite the inroads on license transfers, military spouse unemployment
is still so high due to constant relocation and the bureaucracy involved. About one third of military
spouses’ careers require licenses.
Last year all 50 states eased requirements for military spouses whose careers required professional
licenses.
Spouses still must jump through hoops to get their license in a new state. Military families are also
responsible for the processing fees associated with the transfers.
“I do think we have a responsibility to take on the cost of that, help with the cost of that through some
type of offset because it is very expensive … So it makes it prohibitive when you’re talking about a twoto three-year move ratio. It’s almost cost prohibitive,” Cody said.
The National Military Families of America agrees. Their 2017 legislative agenda calls for a “tax credit or
DoD grant to spouses who need to obtain a new professional license or certification” following a move….
March 3
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #52 will be in-person in Tallahassee, FL on
Thursday, 16 March 2017, beginning at 9:00AM at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 3388
Lonnbladh Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308. If you have not done so, please send in your
registration to Michelle ASAP at [email protected].
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Recent Base Visits – TPG and FDSTF Staff have made several visits over the last few
weeks to discuss important topics for military and defense basing and missions in Florida
including a visit to Eglin AFB last week to discuss range issues and a meeting this week
to Jacksonville to meet with city leaders to support F-35 basing for the 125th Fighter
Wing. See the attached Principi report for information on these and other recent visits.
4. Governor’s Base Commander’s Meeting – Governor Scott hosted the Quarterly Base
Commander’s meeting at the Naval Ordinance Test Unit (NOTU) HQ on Cape Canaveral
on March 2nd. Bruce Grant and Terry McCaffrey attended and presented on behalf of the
Florida Defense Alliance (FDA) and Task Force. The meeting was very informative and
included multiple accolades for the Task Force and all we do for the bases. Two of our
items were of specific interest to the Commanders and the Governor; maintenance of the
oil drilling moratorium east of the Military Mission Line and CODEL visit to ensure
solidarity on military and defense issue. Both garnered support from the Governor and
he will be sending letters to the POTUS, SecDef and Florida CODEL to ensure they
understand the importance of our ranges and our bases in the Sunshine State. Attached
are the slides presented by FDSTF and FDA, will forward entire slide deck when
available.
5. FDA Meeting on 15 March 2017 in Tallahassee – The next FDA meeting will be the
day prior to our 16 March 2017 Task Force meeting also in Tallahassee. There will be a
combined mixer for FDA and FDSTF members following the FDA meeting on
Wednesday evening from 5:00-6:00 PM at TGI Fridays, .
6. Military / Veteran Related Bills Filed This Week – There were seven new bills filed
last week. To review or track House Bills, go to www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate
Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both sites, insert the bill number at the top of the
page if you would like current status throughout session. Attached is the current
summary of all bills filed to date.
 HB 3981 Relating to Lake County Veteran's Treatment Court (Sullivan)
Lake County Veteran's Treatment Court: Provides an appropriation for the Lake
County Veteran's Treatment Court. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 1202 Relating to Veterans' Annual Sales Tax Holiday (Montford)
Veterans’ Annual Sales Tax Holiday; Creating an annual sales tax holiday for
veterans; specifying items that are eligible for the sales tax holiday; authorizing
certain retailers to elect not to participate in the sales tax holiday, etc. Effective
Date: 7/1/2017
 HB 0557 Relating to Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (Duran)
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: Revises requirements for reporting
dispensing of controlled substances; limits exception to reporting requirements for
certain facilities dispensing controlled substances; authorizes certain employees of
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to access certain information in program's
database; specifies when revised reporting requirement takes effect. Effective
Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 4071 Relating to Alternative Treatment for Veterans-University of South
Florida (Burgess)
Alternative Treatment for Veterans-University of South Florida: Provides an
appropriation for the Alternative Treatment for Veterans-University of South
Florida. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 1272 Relating to Professional Regulation (Brandes)
Professional Regulation; Revising the length of time that an active duty member
of the Armed Forces of the United States may remain in good standing with an
administrative board under certain circumstances; Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 SB 1374 Relating to Transportation (Perry)
Transportation; Directing the Department of Transportation to erect signage in
specified counties to commemorate certain conflicts involving the United States
Armed Forces; directing the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
to develop certain specialty license plates; creating a special license plate for
recipients of the Bronze Star medal, etc. Effective Date: Except as otherwise
expressly provided in this act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2017
 HB 1123 Relating to Fee and Surcharge Reductions (Drake)
Fee and Surcharge Reductions: Deletes fees for commission of elected officer by
Governor, claim for refund of tax on motor fuel, registration of certain
dealers/businesses, & addition of word "Veteran" to ID card/driver license;
exempts surviving spouse from fee to transfer motor vehicle title; exempts
veterans from fee for original commercial driver license; exempts certain persons
from fee for identification card; revises provisions re: imposition & amount of
delinquency fee for licensees regulated by DBPR; reduces fees for licensure to
operate driver school; reduces surcharge assessed by DBPR on Florida Building
Code permit fees. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
7. Attachments:
 Principi Monthly Report
 CBO Shipbuilding Report
 Mattis Memo on NDAA
 Mattis Memo on Improving Mission Effectiveness
 Senator Nelson statements opposing drilling in Eastern Gulf of Mexico
 FDSTF Base Commander Mtg Slide
 FDA Base Commander Mtg Slide
 Current Military / Veteran Friendly Bills
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
BRAC
What Does America Really Gain From Excess
Military Bases?
Christopher A. PrebleTodd Harrison, February 25, 2017
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-skeptics/what-does-america-really-gain-excess-military-bases-19579
In a recent piece at the National Interest, MIT Professor Harvey Sapolsky accuses “quick-fix budgeteers”
of pushing a new round of military base closures as a “way to create magic money” for the Pentagon or
taxpayers.
Sapolsky also claims that the “local economy disappears” when a base closes, and that savings are offset
by other federal spending as former bases “are stuffed with other government-funded activities.”
Accurately capturing the true savings generated by five successive “Base Realignment and Closure”
(BRAC) rounds between 1988 and 2005 must include this other spending, but Sapolsky is wrong to
suggest that closing unneeded bases does not produce net savings.
Base closures cost money upfront to clean up bases and hand them over to local communities. But the
data shows that savings begin to accrue almost immediately. In the first round of BRAC, the savings
began in fiscal year (FY) 1990—the first year of implementation—at a meager $72 million and then rose
steadily to $1.5 billion annually by FY 1995. The second round of BRAC was even more impressive,
with savings beginning at $548 million in the first year of implementation, FY 1992, and rising to a peak
of $3.4 billion in FY 1997. The third and fourth rounds of BRAC in the late 1990s followed a similar
pattern…..
BRAC finds some stable ground in 2017
By Scott Maucione | @smaucione, WFED, February 27, 2017 2:01 pm
http://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2017/02/brac-finds-stable-ground-2017/
After 12 years and numerous requests from the Defense Department since the last round of military base
closures, 2017 may finally offer a peek of sunlight for another base realignment and closure cycle.
Congressional resistance to BRAC is faltering, said Chris Preble, vice president for defense and foreign
policy studies at the Cato Institute, and that may bring some fiscal savings to DoD.
Opposition to BRAC “is weakening for a couple reasons. One, the Pentagon is quite insistent that they do
have excess capacity,” Preble told Federal News Radio. “Even if President Trump gets his wish of
dramatically increasing military spending, it’s still not entirely clear where some of that money will come
from, but he says some of the additional funding will come from waste. A key aspect of waste inside the
Pentagon budget is excess overhead.”
Preble said BRAC would be part of a package of things that need to be done to squeeze more money out
of DoD.
The Trump administration announced today it will attempt to add $54 billion more to the defense budget
by lowering the domestic budget the same amount.
A few members of Congress already stepped forward with their support for another BRAC round. House
Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said he will introduce legislation
this year to start BRAC……
NAS Pensacola
New signs expected to ease traffic buildup near NAS
by Anthony Pura
http://weartv.com/news/local/new-signs-expected-to-ease-traffic-buildup-near-nas
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — Some new signs are expected to help the traffic buildup near NAS
Pensacola, especially during the peak of tourism season.
Many want to see the Naval Aviation Museum on board the base but end up driving to the wrong the
wrong entrance. Last year, Navy officials started directing civilians to use the back gate on Gulf Beach
Highway instead of the front gate on Navy Boulevard. The changes are security related.
Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill said that really changed the traffic pattern in that area.
The county, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the Navy base, have been working to get
traffic following properly since, but it's been a challenge.
"As it stands right now, you have a whole lot of traffic headed down to the front gate only to be turned
around to go back to Gulf Beach Highway," Underhill said.
The signage would be a small part of the larger picture, which includes the widening of Gulf Beach
Highway. Underhill said the signs will be paid for by a $250,000 state grant, but he hasn't seen the
specifics of the plans…..
Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field builds on ‘Bear Wise’ designation
By Kelly Humphrey | 315-4443 | @Kellyhnwfdn | [email protected],
Feb 28, 2017 at 1:29 PMUpdated Feb 28, 2017 at 1:29 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170228/hurlburt-field-builds-on-bear-wise-designation
HURLBURT FIELD — When it comes to bears, this base means business.
In 2012 the base became the first community in Florida to earn the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission's "Bear Wise" designation. The title means the community has taken steps to
educate its residents about how to avoid bear/human conflicts, including installing bear-resistant garbage
cans and removing items that attract the omnivores.
As a result, Hurlburt has seen a 40 percent reduction in conflicts between humans and bears. But that
doesn't mean the base is resting on its laurels.
On Wednesday, the 1st Special Operations Command's Environmental Office teamed up with Corvias
Military Living, which manages the base's housing, and the FWC to host a town hall meeting on how to
peacefully coexist with Florida black bears. The event attracted residents who might have seen bears in
their yards and others just nervous about the stories they have heard.
Bernadette Rogers, who lives in the base's Osprey Landing neighborhood, brought her daughter along to
the meeting.
"We have a new puppy, and I'm a little worried about taking him outside at night," Rogers said. "Our
house backs up to the woods and I've heard that there have been bears in our area."….
Eglin AFB
Eglin’s Azzano selected for new position
By Kelly Humphrey | 315-4443 | @Kellyhnwfdn | Posted Feb 24, 2017 at 7:08 PM, Updated
Feb 24, 2017 at 7:08 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170224/eglins-azzano-selected-for-new-position
EGLIN AFB — Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein has tapped Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano to
head the service's newly formed Directorate of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base in Ohio.
Azzano, a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours, has served as the commander of the 96th
Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base since June 2015. In that role, he has supervised almost 10,000
personnel and served as the de facto base commander.
The new directorate was organized July 1. It will provide test and evaluation expertise along with
operations "multi-domain" strategy for the delivery and support of "agile, war-winning capabilities."
The Air Force has identified space and cyber capabilities as critical components its future operations. The
directorate was formed as the result of a merger of the former Directorate of Air, Space and Information
Operations and the Directorate of Communications.
Azzano said that while he is honored to have been selected for the new position, he is proud and "in awe"
of the men and women of the 96th Test Wing and the entire Team Eglin organization.
"What we do here is vitally important to our Air Force and our nation," Azzano said in a statement. "The
tremendous support we receive from our community across Northwest Florida helps make it possible."
Two Florida Air Guard pilots forge the future of the F-35
by Staff Sgt. Christopher Milbrodt, Feb 27, 2017
http://ameriforce.net/two-florida-air-guard-pilots-forge-future-f-35/
A the skies over Valparaiso, Fla., play host to numerous aircraft from multiple branches of the
Department of Defense, pilots from the Florida Air National Guard (FLANG) are training aviators on the
Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II fifth generation fighter. Eglin Air Force Base’s 33rd Fighter Wing has
been the home to this remarkable air frame since the program’s inception in 2009, making it the first base
to have F-35s within the DoD.
Following the arrival of the F-35 at Eglin, two members of the Florida Air National Guard (FLANG)
have been helping the DoD establish the curriculum for the implementation of the aircraft, as well as train
pilots how to fundamentally fly the F-35. The mission of fielding a fifth-generation fighter aircraft and
training pilots to fly it may seem like a daunting task, but the FLANG has been on the forefront of this
exact type of mission for more than 10 years starting with the F-22 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
“We bring the knowledge gained from active duty through the F-15 Strike Eagle and the F-22 Raptor to
the F-35 and as Florida Guardsmen, we provide a permanency and continuity to the program,” said Air
Force Lt. Col. Scott “Gaucho” Charlton, F-35 instructor and the 33rd Fighter Wing’s Chief of Wing
Weapons and Tactics. “I think Florida is a perfect location for the F-35. We have a fifth-gen state of
excellence already established through the F-22 training at Tyndall and the F-35 here at Eglin, plus the
airspace and integration opportunities here are hands-down better than anywhere else in the country.”….
Space squadron supports record-breaking satellites
launch
By Kristin Stewart, Team Eglin Public Affairs / Published February 27, 2017
http://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1093159/space-squadron-supports-record-breaking-satelliteslaunch
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 20th Space Control Squadron's Charlie Crew successfully
tracked India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Feb. 15. Loaded with 104 satellites, the Indian PSLV set
the record for the most spacecraft launched by a single rocket.
"This launch is important because we want to ensure our national assets aren't impacted," said Lt. Col. Raj
Agrawal, 20th SPCS commander. "Part of our role in space superiority is we have to ensure we're always
ready to respond, whether the risk is accidental or intentional."
Using the world's most powerful phased-array radar, the space surveillance squadron uses an integrated
team of military and civilian Airmen to track an estimated 23,000 near-Earth and deep-space objects each
day. The AN/FPS-85 is the only phased array radar capable of tracking objects 40,000 kilometers away.
As objects orbit the earth, the AN/FPS-85 radar sweeps for debris within its field of view. If objects are
not identified and tracked, they can be a risk for other satellites as well as the crew aboard the
International Space Station.
"This launch presented a unique challenge for us to track since it was the highest amount of payloads
released by a single launch vehicle," said Capt. Isaiah Montemayor, flight commander of weapons, tactics
and training. "It lacked predictability due to the high number of small satellites, which made them
difficult to detect."
Due to the magnitude of the Indian PSLV launch, three weeks of planning and testing were required
before operational execution. The space surveillance team prepared for several possible outcomes,
including collisions, which have the potential of creating thousands of pieces of hazardous debris.
US military test shows the A-10 'Warthog' can
obliterate the small boat swarms that Iran uses
Alex Lockie, 2 March 2017
http://www.businessinsider.com/a-10-attack-craft-iran-us-navy-2017-3
An A-10 Thunderbolt IIs with the 74th Fighter Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., flies over the
Gulf of Mexico Feb. 7 during Combat Hammer. The 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron’s Combat Hammer
is a weapons system evaluation program at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.US Air Force photo/Ilka Cole
About 35 local boat captains simulated swarming attack maneuvers in fishing boats rigged with machine
guns while fighter jets, attack helicopters, and the A-10 "Warthog" simulated attacks from above in the
Choctawatchee Bay, Florida.
The Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base organized the simulation, called Combat Hammer, to address one
of the more pressing threats to the US navy — attacks from swarming fast-attack craft.
In the Persian Gulf, Iran has repeatedly used small, agile attack craft to harass US Navy ships in
dangerous encounters that could lead to a broader conflict in a moment's notice.
US Navy ships have had to go as far as firing warning shots at approaching vessels, but that was before
Iranian-backed Houthi militants used a suicide boat laden with explosives to kill two aboard a Saudi
Arabian Navy vessel off the coast of Yemen.
The Navy was already aware of the threat posed to their large, multimillion-dollar ships by small, cheap
ships — but the January Houthi attack demonstrated the threat was even more acute…..
MacDill AFB
Former Pres. George W. Bush visits MacDill Air Force
Base
by Taboola , POSTED:FEB 27 2017 07:12PM EST
HTTP://WWW.FOX13NEWS.COM/NEWS/LOCAL-NEWS/238519122-STORY
Former president George W. Bush visited MacDill Air Force Base Monday. The 43rd president
signed copies of his just-released book called Portraits of Courage.
Mr. Bush painted the portaits of many wounded veterans and coupled the paintings with stories of each.
Among the portraits in the book is that of Scott Neil, a Tampa Bay area veteran.
Neil says the president enjoys spending time with wounded warriors. "He has a great passion for his
soldiers and warriors," says Neil. "He likes to golf and mountain bike, so we get a lot of time with the
president."
President Bush began painting several years ago and veterans are among his favorite subjects.
"It lifts your spirits," President Bush told Sean Hannity of FOX News Channel in an interview set to air
Monday night. "And hopefully my art is able to capture how amazing these people are."
Proceeds from sales of the book will benefit veterans and their families.
Clearwater defense contractor is bringing 50 jobs to
Tampa
Janelle Irwin, Reporter, Tampa Bay Business Journal, Feb 27, 2017, 3:04pm EST Updated Feb 27, 2017, 3:20pm
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/02/27/clearwater-defense-contractor-is-bringing-50-jobs.html
A local defense contractor is moving its headquarters from Clearwater to Tampa.
CWU, a professional, administrative, linguistic and training support firm, is moving its existing 30
employees to Tampa and expects to add 20 jobs by 2018.
Those positions include executive, program management, human resources, legal and accounting and pay
an average of $78,600 a year.
“Greater Tampa Bay is home to an abundance of colleges and universities in addition to the home of
MacDill [Air Force Base],” said CWU President Charles Jenkins, in a release. “The I-4 corridor has
rapidly grown into the third largest defense contracting community in the U.S., and Tampa attracts a
diverse and technologically fluent employee base from some of the best local colleges, universities and
the military.”
The company is making the move this March to a 10,000-square-foot space in the Westshore Technology
Center at 5402 W. Laurel St. The company expects the move to represent a $2.5 million investment into
the new facility.
CWU is a $50 million "critical staff augmentation company," and provides professional support
personnel. It is projected to double in size over the next 24 months, Jenkins said in the statement….
Students get hands-on experience with military tools
at MacDill event
Adam Winer, 6:04 PM, Mar 2, 2017
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/students-get-hands-on-experience-with-military-tools-at-macdillevent
TAMPA, Fla. - "It's not that heavy," says a local student to Senior Airman Chris Spina as he fits the boy
with his personal suit of armor.
"When you leave it on for a 12 hour day it gets pretty heavy," explains Spina.
That student was one of about 1200 kids from around the Tampa Bay Area at MacDill Air Force Base on
Thursday for "STEM Day." The event is intended to give local students a chance to interact with service
members and learn how studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) can open the door
to a good career, whether in the military or otherwise.
"Never before in our nation's history have we depended more on technology and the application of
technology to win, not only in air but in space and in cyber space," says Col. April Vogel, the
Commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing based at MacDill AFB.
Col. Vogel stressed the importance of reaffirming America's role as the world's engine of scientific
discovery and technological innovation.
For many of the students, the field trip was a window into what they hope will be a future career,
including the ability to hold real weapons, get aboard a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, walk around inside
an Air Force plane, and use other hand-held devices used currently by the military.
Altman: MacDill group hears that base looks safe in
future base-closing rounds
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Thursday, March 2, 2017 5:00am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/altman-macdill-group-hears-that-base-looks-safe-in-future-baseclosing/2315009
Now that Arizona Sen. John McCain has warmed up some to the idea of creating another round of
military base closings, it's one step closer to happening.
But fear not, MacDillville. Even if it does happen, the big base in South Tampa is likely to benefit, not
suffer.
So said Mike Jones at the recent annual meeting of the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance, a group created to
help support what is a $16 billion-a-year industry in the eight counties surrounding Tampa.
MacDill Air Force Base — home to two major combatant commands, two Air Force aerial refueling
wings, and dozens of other tenants — is not likely to be shuttered in any future round of base closings,
said Jones, a retired Army major general who last served as chief of staff for U.S. Central Command.
Among his many other jobs, Jones is the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance's man in Washington, and as such,
gave an update on the current climate.
While the winds may be shifting toward a new Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission,
Jones offered calming words.
Jones didn't say the chances were 0 percent, "but the odds of the closure of MacDill are as close to zero as
I think we can get," he said…..
Cape Canaveral AFS
Here's why Lockheed Martin may add a lot more jobs
on Space Coast
Feb 24, 2017, 11:34am EST, Matthew Richardson, Reporter, Orlando Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/02/24/heres-why-lockheed-martin-may-add-a-lotmore-jobs.html
Lockheed Martin may be getting ready to add hundreds of workers to its facility in Cape Canaveral that
focuses on the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile program.
The Bethesda, Md.-based defense giant announced Feb. 23 that it plans to relocate 650 positions within
its Fleet Ballistic Missile program in Sunnyvale, Calif., to other U.S. locations, and is considering Florida
and Colorado to receive the positions as those states have similar facilities and employee skill
sets. Lockheed Martin plans to relocate the positions to reduce costs while centralizing programs to key
locations.
The relocation will take more than eight years and many employees will be offered the opportunity to
retain their positions and relocate to the receiving facility. While Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has not
said Cape Canaveral is the Florida location it's considering for the positions, it could be a likely site as the
company cut the ribbon to its newly-renovated Fleet Ballistic Missile facility in January and announced
plans to hire more than 100 workers there by the end of 2017….
Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace Opens New
Facility on Cape Canaveral
GlobeNewswire • February 24, 2017
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/aerojet-rocketdyne-coleman-aerospace-opens-213000270.html
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc., a subsidiary
of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (AJRD), announced that Coleman Aerospace today unveiled its
new Space Coast Integration & Test Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace, Inc. consummated its previously announced acquisition of
Coleman Aerospace from L3 Technologies, Inc. earlier today.
“With the opening of this innovative facility, we are building on our expertise as a premier launch vehicle
provider for missile defense testing,” said Dan Kelly, who will serve as interim general manager of
Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace.
“We are excited to officially establish our Space Coast presence today, marking the culmination of years
of collaboration that brought this facility and its needed capabilities to fruition,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne
CEO and President Eileen Drake. “We look forward to working with Space Florida and the Air Force
Space Command’s 45th Space Wing in this new facility.”
The new facility’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station location was previously used by the U.S. Air Force
for rocket processing. The Air Force Space Command’s 45th Space Wing made the facility available to
Space Florida to sublease to a company that would bring new work onto Cape Canaveral and create jobs.
Coleman Aerospace worked with Space Florida to refurbish the facility so it could be used once again for
production.
Key attendees at today’s ribbon cutting ceremony included Mr. Stan Thomas (Missile Defense Agency);
Colonel Matthew Wallace (U.S. Air Force Space Command’s 45th Space Wing); Mr. Jim Kuzma (Space
Florida); representatives from the offices of Senator Bill Nelson; Congressman Bill Posey; Congressman
Ted Yoho and Senator Dorothy Hukill, and other dignitaries.
Coleman Aerospace, based in Orlando, Florida, provides ballistic missile rockets and launch services for
the Missile Defense Agency, as well as engineering and analytical services for other government
agencies. Coleman Aerospace has been launching rockets since 1995 with 29 successful flights in 22
years. The first successful air launch of a missile target was accomplished in 1999 using a C-130, but has
since adapted the capability to the newer and larger C-17…..
Patrick AFB
Air Force Eastern Range innovates, expedites access to
space
By 1st Lt. Amanda Herman, 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published February 24, 2017
http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1095084/air-force-eastern-range-innovates-expeditesaccess-to-space
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force has been breaking barriers since 1947, and
this year is no exception with the implementation of the Autonomous Flight Safety System.
The Eastern Range has supported more than 3,500 launches to date. With more stakeholders demanding
access to space, both the Eastern and the Western Ranges were faced with developing innovative
solutions to launch rockets without compromising public safety while accounting for aging infrastructure
and recognizing that the wing has fewer resources and personnel accomplishing comparable and greater
launch rates than before.
AFSS provides the capability to not only reduce reliance on aging range infrastructure, but enhances the
ability to support more launches by expediting range turnaround times with more stringent safety
standards and fewer people on console while reducing overall launch costs.
A self-contained, independent system mounted to the launch vehicle, AFSS determines if the launch
vehicle poses an unacceptable hazard to people or property by using pre-established, programmed mission
rules developed by Range Safety Flight Analysts. These configurable software-based rules are reliant on
redundant flight processors using data from Global Positioning System and inertial measurement unit
navigation sensors. If necessary, AFSS has the ability to destroy the rocket to ensure public safety. This
system is crucial to increase overall range throughput to keep pace with the growing demands for
providing assured access to space…..
Philip Levine: Space Coast should be Florida’s Silicon
Valley
SCOTT POWERS, 27 Feb 2017
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/232878-philip-levine-space-coast-floridas-silicon-valley
Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine believes Florida’s Space Coast is the state’s unique opportunity to
capture 21st Century technology. He wants to see it become the Sunshine State’s Silicon Valley.
Levine, a potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate, sees his vision as not unlike that already pursued
by officials at Space Florida and the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, as
well as by some within NASA.
Should he run for governor, Levine may be the first statewide candidate to explicitly focus on the region
anchored by Kennedy Space Center as a primary place for Florida technology innovation.
“With the right state government, we could turn NASA into the most exciting innovation zone, and it
could become Florida’s Silicon Valley,” Levine said in an interview with FloridaPolitics.com.
“Every company involved in space should have a presence there. And every university in the state of
Florida should be attracted to NASA. We need to own that space,” Levine said.
In fact, Space Florida, the state-chartered space business promotion arm, joined by the Space Coast EDC,
have been pursuing such prospects.
The University of Central Florida and the University of Florida have rapidly-growing space
technology research programs, as do several other institutions including the University of South Florida
and Florida Institute of Technology…..
Defense Industry
Military contractor CWU Inc. is moving headquarters
to Tampa
By Alli Knothe, Times Staff Writer, Tuesday, February 28, 2017 8:20am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/economicdevelopment/military-contractor-cwu-inc-is-movingheadquarters-to-tampa/2314716
TAMPA — A Clearwater-based military contractor has big plans for 2017 which include hiring about
800 people worldwide, doubling its annual revenue and moving its headquarters to Tampa's Westshore
area.
CWU, Inc. is relocating its 30 Clearwater employees to a $2.5 million office space in the Westshore
Technology Center, off of West Laurel Street near Tampa International Airport. The government
contractor will add about 20 people to the Tampa office by the end of the year, with hopes to more than
double its $32 million revenues from last year.
Company president Chuck Jenkins said that the business was able to thrive in a period of military funding
cuts while Barack Obama was president and anticipates that doing even better under the new
administration. President Donald Trump has called for a 9 percent boost in military spending.
The company's main revenue stream comes from working with the military to provide fluent translators
that can help provide support services in about 50 different languages.
As the company grows, Jenkins said the move allows an easier commute for local veterans he hires from
MacDill Air Force Base, plus easier access to the airport. He also commended Hillsborough County's
"productive and healthy" business environment….
DoD Budget
Air Force Chief: Lack of Defense Budget More
Dangerous Than Any Enemy
POSTED BY: MATTHEW COX FEBRUARY 24, 2017
HTTPS://WWW.DODBUZZ.COM/2017/02/24/AIR-FORCE-CHIEF-LACK-DEFENSE-BUDGETDANGEROUS-ENEMY/
The chief of staff of the Air Force on Thursday warned decision-makers that failing to pass a defense
budget will damage his service like no foreign enemy can.
“There is talk right now of going to a year-long continuing resolution,” Gen. David L. Goldfein told an
audience at a Feb. 23 Center for Strategic and International Studies event.
“There is no enemy on the planet that can do more damage to the United States Air Force than us not
getting a budget,” he said, adding the service has “serious challenges.”
Of the many responsibilities the Air Force maintains, guaranteeing air superiority is at the top of the list,
Goldfein said.
“I don’t ever want a Marine or a soldier or a sailor or airman who hears jet noise — I don’t ever want
them looking up,” he said. “I want them looking directly into the eyes of their enemy because I want them
to know in their heart that that is me. I don’t ever want them thinking that is somebody else.
“If we don’t invest in those capabilities, I’m going to have them looking up, and that spells failure,” he
said.
The Air Force is also responsible for two-thirds of the “nuclear enterprise, the bomber leg of the triad and
the missile leg of the triad,” Goldfein said…..
McCain, Thornberry rip White House budget plan on
defense
By: Aaron Mehta and Joe Gould, February 27, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/analysts-new-white-house-plan-to-boost-defense-with-domestic-cutswont-happen
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration's early budget plans for 2018 are already catching heat on
Capitol Hill, from Democrats for domestic cuts and from the Republicans in charge of the armed services
committees, who say it shortchanges the military.
White House officials say they plan to increase the base defense budget by $54 billion to $603 billion by
slashing domestic spending and foreign aid. That netted a swift rebuke from House Armed Services
Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, and his Senate counterpart, Chairman Sen. John
McCain, R-Ariz., who have each proposed a $640 billion base budget and argue this is a meager $18
billion more than President Obama had planned.
McCain, in a statement, said the figure was, "a mere 3 percent above President Obama’s defense budget,
which has left our military underfunded, undersized, and unready to confront threats to our national
security... With a world on fire, America cannot secure peace through strength with just 3 percent more
than President Obama’s budget. We can and must do better."
The comments came as White House budget director Mick Mulvaney told reporters Monday the budget
blueprint represents President Trump's priorities, including the military, the nuclear arsenal and border
security – without adding to the 2018 deficit. The non-defense side of the budget will be $462 billion,
Mulvaney said.
“We are taking his words and turning them into policies and dollars,” he said. “It reduces money to other
nations, eliminates duplicative programs and eliminates programs that just don’t work.”
Asked how the defense top-line would carry forward Trump's pledge to rebuild the military, Mulvaney
said it was too soon to say. The Defense Department would over the next two weeks craft its budget to the
top-line provided by the White House. The White House will issue a fuller budget proposal in early
May……
Trump budget to boost defense spending by $54B
BY JORDAN FABIAN - 02/27/17 10:43 AM EST 5,413
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/321315-trump-budget-to-boost-defense-spending-by-54b
The Trump administration is proposing a budget it says will increase defense spending by $54 billion and
cut non-defense spending by the same amount.
The White House is sending a topline budget proposal reflecting those figures to federal agencies on
Monday afternoon, according to an Office of Management and Budget official.
The official provided no specific details during a call with reporters about the rest of the budget, including
the baseline figure being used for the cuts or over what period they would be made.
“Most federal agencies will see a reduction as a result," the official said, with cuts falling most heavily on
“lower priority” programs as well as foreign aid.
The administration “expects the rest of the world to step up in some of the programs this country has been
so generous in funding in the past,” the official said when asked about slashing foreign aid.
When asked where the extra $54 billion will be spent, the official said “predominantly it will go to the
Pentagon,” but declined to name specific offices.
The White House would not permit the official to be named, even though the president last Friday
personally condemned the use of anonymous sources.
Trump’s topline budget, which is expected to be released in mid-March, would fundamentally alter the set
of spending rules, known as the sequester, brokered in a 2013 deal between President Obama and
Congress.
That agreement set a cap on discretionary spending across the federal government, which affected defense
and non-defense spending equally.
Under the sequester, defense and non-defense spending is supposed to grow and shrink at the same time.
But Trump said he wants to forge ahead with “a historic increase in defense spending to rebuild the
depleted military of the United States of America,” one of his chief campaign promises. …..
Other Of Interest
GEORGIA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILLS TO
COUNTER BRAC, BENEFIT MILITARY KIDS
“On Base” with Dan Cohen, 27 Feb 2017
http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=c5bb6b9c65&e=28cebe069c
The Economic Development Committee of the Georgia House on Friday unanimously endorsed
legislation creating a fund that would provide defense communities matching dollars to strengthen local
military bases. Even if the bill is enacted, lawmakers still would still need to provide money in the state
budget for the fund, reports the Telegraph. … Earlier, the House Education Committee cleared a bill
permitting military families living on-base or in off-base military housing to choose what public
school in their district their children attend, reported the Telegraph. A second bill advanced by the panel
would create a unique identifier for military children that would help school officials track their progress.
The bills, which are designed to make Georgia a more military-friendly state, now will await a floor vote.
… Last week, leaders from Georgia colleges and technical schools testified before the Georgia
House Military Affairs Working Group to provide input on how the state’s public schools can better
accommodate K-12 military-connected students. Ideas included holding orientation camps for military
kids before the school year begins, assigning mentors, and flagging teachers and counselors with special
training to address the needs of military families, reported the Telegraph.
March 10
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #52 will be in-person NEXT WEEK in
Tallahassee, FL on Thursday, 16 March 2017, beginning at 9:00AM at the Hampton Inn
& Suites, 3388 Lonnbladh Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308. There will be a combined mixer
for FDSTF and FDA members following the FDA meeting on Wednesday evening from
5:00-6:00 PM at TGI Fridays, 3390 Capital Cir NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Hard copy
read-ahead materials where sent to Task Force members on March 9, 2017. Electronic
copies of all open session meeting materials will be available at our website
at: https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/EBook-FDSTF-Meeting52.pdf
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. New Oil Drilling Leases in the Gulf of Mexico – An announcement from the
Department of Interior (DOI) states that there will be 73 Million acres of new oil and gas
leases opened off the shore of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. The
statement says that “Excluded from the lease sale are blocks subject to the Congressional
moratorium established by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006” which should keep
it west of the Military Mission Line. Entire article below in the clips under “Energy”.
4. BRAC-proofing Activity Beginning in Neighboring States – According to several
articles this week, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and Alabama lawmakers are starting to
fund efforts to defend their bases against BRAC. At the same time, the Florida House is
contemplating elimination of the Florida Defense Alliance (FDA) as part of HB 7005 that
eliminates Enterprise Florida, the organization that oversees the statewide grass roots
defense support program that has been recognized by the Association of Defense
Communities (ADC) as a model for other states to follow. See articles below in the clips
that describe efforts to prepare for BRAC around the region.
5. FDA Meeting on 15 March 2017 in Tallahassee – The next FDA meeting will be the
day prior to our 16 March 2017 Task Force meeting also at the Hampton Inn & Suites,
3388 Lonnbladh Rd, Tallahassee, FL beginning at 0800. A highlight of this meeting will
be an Energy Resiliency Panel beginning at 0930. There will be a combined mixer for
FDSTF and FDA members following the FDA meeting on Wednesday evening from
5:00-6:00 PM at TGI Fridays, 3390 Capital Cir NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308.
6. Military / Veteran Related Bills Filed This Week – Session started on March 7,
2017. Prior to starting session, nine new bills were filed. To review or track House Bills,
go to www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For
both sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if you would like current status
throughout session. Attached is the current summary of all bills filed to date.
 HB 1265 Relating to Homestead Property Tax Exemption (Abruzzo)
Homestead Property Tax Exemptions: Entitles parent or parents of an unmarried
veteran who died from combat-related causes while on active duty as member of
U.S. Armed Forces to receive ad valorem tax relief on homestead property.
Effective Date: this act shall take effect on the same date that HJR 1263, or a
similar joint resolution having substantially the same specific intent and purpose
 HB 1263 Relating to Homestead Tax Relief for Parents of Unmarried
Veterans Who Died from Combat-related Causes (Abruzzo)
Homestead Tax Relief for Parents of Unmarried Veterans Who Died from
Combat-related Causes: Proposes amendment to State Constitution to authorize
Legislature to provide ad valorem tax relief on homestead property to parent or
parents of an unmarried veteran who died from combat-related causes while on
active duty as member of the United States Armed Forces.
 SB 1734 Relating to Special License Plates (Rouson)
Special License Plates; Providing for special license plates to be issued to Bronze
Star or Bronze Star Combat recipients, etc. Effective Date:
 SB 1588 Relating to Military and Veteran Support (Latvala (J))
Military and Veteran Support; Requiring the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to
create a website to streamline the procedure for businesses applying for
certification as a veteran business enterprise; authorizing the Supreme Court to
admit on motion a bar applicant who is the spouse of a servicemember stationed
in this state under certain circumstances; requiring the Department of Education
to expedite the processing of an application for educator certification submitted
by a spouse of a servicemember stationed in this state, etc. Effective Date:
7/1/2017
 HB 1235 Relating to Military and Veteran Support (Latvala (C))
Military and Veteran Support: Requires DVA to create website to streamline
procedure for application for certification as veteran business enterprise;
authorizes Supreme Court to admit spouse of servicemember stationed in this
state under certain circumstances; requires DOE to expedite processing of
application for educator certification submitted by such spouse; requires State
Board of Education to adopt rules to extend validity of temporary certificate of
such spouse; provides legislative findings & intent to require collaboration
between State Board of Education & Board of Governors of State University
System in achieving specified goals regarding continuing education for veterans.
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 SB 1594 Relating to Military Support (Artiles)
Military Support; Limiting the amount of payment of security deposit and
advance rent that a landlord may require of a servicemember tenant; requiring the
Department of Transportation to establish a military discount program for
electronic tolling device accounts by a specified date; authorizing the department
to establish military discounts on the initial purchase of a transponder or other
electronic tolling device, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
 HB 4335 Relating to The Transition House - Residential Recovery Services
for Homeless Veterans (La Rosa)
The Transition House - Residential Recovery Services for Homeless Veterans:
Provides an appropriation for the Transition House - Residential Recovery
Services for Homeless Veterans. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 0615 Relating to Professional Regulation (Renner)
Professional Regulation: Creates the Occupational Opportunity Act; revises
length of time active duty servicemember may remain in good standing with
administrative board; requires that spouse or surviving spouse be kept in good
standing & be exempt from licensure renewal provisions; requires DBPR to issue
professional license to spouse or surviving spouse of active duty member;
provides requirements related to application, fees, & renewal; provides for fee
waiver for specified persons. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
 HB 4419 Relating to Florida Association of Community Health Centers Veterans Medical Nutrition (Brown)
Florida Association of Community Health Centers - Veterans Medical Nutrition:
Provides an appropriation for the Florida Association of Community Health
Centers - Veterans Medical Nutrition. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
7. Attachments:
 Agenda for FDSTF Mtg #52, 16 March 2017
 Agenda for FDA Meeting, 15 March 2017
 TPG Bi-weekly Conference Call Memo
 Latest Mil / Vet Bills Status for 2017 Session
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
BRAC
Other States begin to focus and fund against possible
BRAC
“On Base”, By Dan Cohen
27 Feb - http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=c5bb6b9c65&e=28cebe069c
6 Mar - http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=933a278e37&e=28cebe069c
10 Mar - http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=65ebd965be&e=28cebe069c
GEORGIA LAWMAKERS ADVANCE BILLS TO COUNTER BRAC, BENEFIT MILITARY
KIDS: The Economic Development Committee of the Georgia House on Friday unanimously endorsed
legislation creating a fund that would provide defense communities matching dollars to strengthen local
military bases. Even if the bill is enacted, lawmakers still would still need to provide money in the state
budget for the fund, reports the Telegraph. … Earlier, the House Education Committee cleared a bill
permitting military families living on-base or in off-base military housing to choose what public
school in their district their children attend, reported the Telegraph. A second bill advanced by the panel
would create a unique identifier for military children that would help school officials track their progress.
The bills, which are designed to make Georgia a more military-friendly state, now will await a floor vote.
… Last week, leaders from Georgia colleges and technical schools testified before the Georgia
House Military Affairs Working Group to provide input on how the state’s public schools can better
accommodate K-12 military-connected students. Ideas included holding orientation camps for military
kids before the school year begins, assigning mentors, and flagging teachers and counselors with special
training to address the needs of military families, reported the Telegraph.
NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR FOCUSED ON BASE SUPPORT: North Carolina Gov. Roy
Cooper’s proposed budget for the 2017-19 biennium includes $4 million to strengthen the state’s
installations ahead of a possible BRAC round, reports the Fayetteville Observer. The Democratic
governor, however, faces a hostile General Assembly with veto-proof Republican majorities in both
houses, the story notes. … Separately, a Senate committee recommended Cooper’s nominee for
secretary of military and veterans affairs, former state lawmaker Larry Hall, for confirmation
following a hearing Thursday. Hall, who already has assumed his post, said one of his goals is to improve
the infrastructure of the state’s bases, reported the North State Journal.
GEORGIA LAWMAKER VOWS SUSTAINED EFFORT ON BEHALF OF BASES: The lawmaker
who has led a yearlong effort in the Georgia House to bolster state support for Georgia’s military
installations says there is still more work to do. “I think it’s accomplished an awareness from the General
Assembly that we need to step up our game in order for the Pentagon to think of Georgia as being a
military-friendly state,” said Rep. Dave Belton (R), chairman of the House Military Affairs Working
Group. “We are a military-friendly state, we love our military, but from a legislative standpoint, we’re not
putting our priorities toward making that known,” he said. The group will continue to visit bases and
federal leaders in Washington, while trying to advance legislation recommended in its December report,
Belton told the Telegraph.
TEXAS LAWMAKERS MOVE TO PROTECT BASES: The Texas Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation to protect information about a military
installation’s weaknesses, which are compiled by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, from
being made public. “We’ll be competing with other communities which will be trying to identify our
weaknesses, and yes, steal our missions from Texas,” a representative of the Corpus Christi City Council
told the committee. The panel advanced a second measure to end state tax abatements for wind farms
built within 30 nautical miles of an installation, reported KRISTV. … Separately, the state’s defense
communities plan to lobby the Legislature to provide funding to support local installations. Texas
lawmakers allocated $30 million for grants to defense communities in the fiscal 2016-2017 biennium, but
the current budget does not include any funds for the program. “That’s a big deal to us,” Mark Scott, a
member of the South Texas Military Facilities Task Force, told the station. “And so we’re going back to
try to put the $30 million back in the budget.”
Senator Bill Holtzclaw hosts weekly “Coffee and
Conversation” to engage with community
BY COURTNEY CROWN, POSTED 1:14 PM, FEB 13, 2017, UPDATED AT 07:02PM, FEB 13, 2017
HTTP://WHNT.COM/2017/02/13/SENATOR-BILL-HOLTZCLAW-HOSTS-WEEKLY-COFFEE-ANDCONVERSATION-TO-ENGAGE-WITH-COMMUNITY/
MADISON, Ala. - Alabama lawmakers return to Montgomery on Tuesday for the current legislative
session. But, before Senator Bill Holtzclaw heads there, he spent some time with some of the people he
represents.
Senator Holtzclaw wants to hear from the people he represents through gatherings he calls "Coffee and
Conversation."…..
….."I've been approached by the Department of Defense at the federal level to help address some of
Alabama's laws regarding military, our veterans and our families," Holtzclaw said. "There's a couple
pieces of legislation that are going to help make Alabama as a whole a little bit stronger with regards to
BRACs. There's a BRAC on the horizon, we aren't able to put a time line on it.”
Senator Holtzclaw will host "Coffee and Conversation" each Monday morning of the 2017 regular
session. The mornings begin with a "Meet and Greet" at 6:00 a.m. until 6:15 a.m. then a discussion of
state business from 6:15 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. Senator Holtzclaw also distributes information from his
blog, www.district2.us/bills-blog.html.
SMITH CONSIDERING NEW DATE FOR
PROPOSED BRAC ROUND
“On Base” with Dan Cohen, 8 March 2017
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=f0edaf8e92&e=28cebe069c
Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, is planning to push
back the date of a proposed BRAC round until 2021 or later in legislation he introduced last month. That
measure — which would reform the existing BRAC process to increase congressional oversight,
emphasize savings, control cost growth, strengthen the independent commission and expedite the
implementation of the recommendations — called for the next round of base closures to be held in 2019.
The change is intended to give the Pentagon more time to assess its infrastructure needs in light of
President Trump’s plan to boost military force structure as well as provide lawmakers cover by
scheduling the round to take place after the next presidential election, reported Politico.
A BRAC would fit into the Trump administration’s intention to eliminate wasteful spending and trim the
size of the federal workforce, but a DOD spokesman declined to comment on the possibility of holding a
new round. It’s possible the administration could request approval for BRAC in its fiscal 2018 budget
request.
NAS Whiting Field
Bay wastewater plant wins DEP award
By JOHN HENDERSON, Posted Mar 7, 2017 at 4:22 PM, Updated Mar 7, 2017 at 4:38 PM
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170307/bay-wastewater-plant-wins-dep-award
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Bay County's utilities once again have been recognized as being among the
top in the state.
The county's water system for the sixth year in a row — the most ever for a community in Florida — has
been awarded the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Plant Operations Excellence Award.
The DEP presented the 2016 Plant Operations Excellence Awards to several Northwest Florida water
facilities this year, including Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Destin Water Users and Bay County Water.
The wastewater facility award recipient was North Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility. Whiting Field and
Bay County are repeat winners, five and six consecutive years, respectively.
Bay County commissioners recognized the accomplishment at Tuesday's meeting.
"Bay County has made numerous improvements in recent years," County Commissioner Guy Tunnell
said. "And one of the most important projects was the recently completed alternate raw water pump
station at the upper end of Deer Point Lake reservoir. The new pump station is providing a better quality
of water to the treatment plant, with lower total organic carbon."
Shawn Hamilton, director of DEP's Northwest District, lauded the accomplishment in a news release.
Eglin AFB
EOD flight opens new explosives range
By Sara Francis, Team Eglin Public Affairs / Published March 06, 2017
http://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1101798/eod-flight-opens-new-explosives-range
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 96th Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight opened a new
technique range here Feb. 23 to enhance their training and readiness.
The new explosives range, located behind the west gate shopette and near EOD headquarters building,
includes a 25 x25-foot explosives bunker and a 500-foot safety radius. The bunker is rated for two and a
half pounds of explosives. The proximity to the flight makes training in the area convenient.
Master Sgt. Michael Pereira explained the nearly two-year process to authorize, build and certify the
range for use. The project was initiated in July 2015.
“We were at the point where we were only getting range time once every four to five months to practice
the more specialized detonation and explosive techniques,” said Pereira. “This area allows our Airmen to
work on explosives twice a month or more.”
The person instrumental in getting the Pro Range going was Master Sgt. Joshua Crowley, who is now
teaching at the EOD preliminary course at Shepherd AFB, Texas. After several meetings, interference
checks and approvals, the Department of Defense gave its approval in May 2016……
Camp Blanding
Northeast Florida gopher tortoises count in statewide
survey, research
By Teresa Stepzinski, Posted March 4, 2017 05:15 pm | Updated March 4, 2017 06:17 pm
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-03-04/northeast-florida-gopher-tortoises-count-statewide-surveyresearch
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has designated April 10, 2017 as Florida Gopher
Tortoise Day in recognition of the threatened species found through the state. Feb. 20, 2017 (FloridaFish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Wildlife biologists soon will fan out in Northeast Florida searching for one of the state’s slowest moving
and shyest species of wildlife, a reptile scientists consider crucial to a healthy ecosystem.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists plan to conduct gopher tortoise population
surveys March 20-22 at the Branan Field Wildlife and Environmental Area near Jennings State Forest in
Clay County. Using a relatively new method, the scientists will scope out every burrow using a 25-footlong hose with a camera attached at one end so they can see and record what animals might be in the
burrow……
NAS Jacksonville
US Navy Fleet Readiness Center Southeast 3D prints
its first aircraft component
Mar 2, 2017 | By Benedict
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20170302-us-navy-fleet-readiness-center-southeast-3d-prints-its-first-aircraftcomponent.html
Fleet Readiness Center Southeast(FRCSE), the largest tenant command aboard Naval Air Station
Jacksonville in Florida, has 3D printed its first aircraft component, a forearm-length piece of air duct
tubing made from a composite material called Ultum 1085.
To the untrained eye, it looks like nothing more than a misshapen banana. However, the 3D printed piece
of air duct tubing lying on the desk of Navy engineer Randy Meeker marks an important moment in
Florida’s naval history. Since 2014, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE), a tenant command
responsible for building almost every type of Navy aircraft, has been operating a 3D printer. That 3D
printer has been used to fabricate prototype parts, support equipment, and tooling. Never before, however,
has it been used to fabricate part of a real aircraft—until now.
Back in January, FRCSE aerospace engineer Matthew Hawn asked the facility’s manufacturing
department for help: the original manufacturer of the T-44 Pegasus had exhausted its supply of a piece of
air duct used to circulate air throughout the planes cockpit. With no spares available on site, another
option would have to be explored. Up stepped Meeker, a tooling maker and 3D printing specialist at the
facility, who offered an unprecedented suggestion…….
MacDill AFB
NEW 'HURRICANE HUNTER' BASE ON
SCHEDULE FOR STORM SEASON
March 04, 2017 at 1:47 pm | The Associated Press
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/article/20170304/AP/303049886
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — The new home base for the U.S. government's "hurricane hunter" aircraft is
on schedule to open before the Atlantic hurricane season begins, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport
officials said
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's planes are specially equipped to collect
forecasting data as they fly in and around tropical storms and hurricanes. The agency's aircraft are
scheduled move May 1 to Lakeland from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Since December, up to 80 workers have been on site each day rebuilding a hanger to accommodate the
large aircraft, Airport Manager Gene Conrad told The Ledger (http://bit.ly/2m68TZG ).
"It's moving at light speed," Conrad said.
The $17.5 million project also includes a science lab, an operational hub and a maintenance shop. NOAA
is covering about $4.5 million of the cost, the state is taking on $6.5 million, and the airport is covering
another $6.5 million.
Airport Business Manager John Von Preysing said NOAA's move to the Lakeland airport brings 110
"highly technical" jobs to the city.
Two of the "hurricane hunters" got major upgrades to their engines, wings and radar over the last two
years in their cavernous hanger at MacDill. The Air Force told NOAA last year that it needed the hangar
space, and NOAA had to move its aircraft by July 1, 2017.
The six-month Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1.
New CMSAF shares his vision for the Air Force
By Airman 1st Class Rito Smith, 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs / Published March 07, 2017
http://www.macdill.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1104747/new-cmsaf-shares-his-vision-for-the-air-force
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O.
Wright held an all call at MacDill Air Force Base Fla., Feb. 28, 2017, during his visit for CORONA
South.
During the all call, Wright spoke on his focus as the senior enlisted leader, which included taking care of
Airmen and making sure they are well trained, and resilient.
“You can have all the best toys, all the money and resources, and the best strategy,” said Wright. “But, if
you don’t have Airmen who are well trained and resilient, I don’t think you can be successful.”
He also offered a perspective on the many opportunities Airmen are offered in the Air Force today, such
as the ability to travel, receive higher education and grow as professionals.
“Today the Air Force offers our Airmen even more opportunities than ever to grow as a professional with
a skillset,” Wright said. “I think the best thing is that the Air Force offers you the opportunity to be a part
of something special; to contribute to the mission of air, space and cyber-warfare.”
The chief master sergeant of the Air Force went on to speak about how he believes it’s better to take
change as a marathon instead of a sprint and that communication will be critical during this time. A goal
he has as a leader is communicate better with Airmen across the force regarding changes that may be
coming…….
US Special Operations Command
AC-130 Gunship set for laser upgrade: US Air Force
plans to test radical attack weapons 'within a year'
By Mark Prigg For Dailymail.com, PUBLISHED: 12:46 EST, 6 March 2017 | UPDATED: 16:13 EST, 6 March
2017
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4286942/AC-130-Gun-ship-set-laser-upgrade-year.html
The U.S. Air Force hopes to begin testing a radical new laser weapon within a year.
The head of Air Force Special Operations Command has revealed the plan will put a laser weapon on an
AC-130 gunship.
The weapon would be mounted on the gunship and have its power gradually increased as tests progress.
A US AC-130H Spectre gunship dropping flares during a training mission. The head of Air Force Special
Operations Command has revealed plans to put a laser weapon on an AC-130 gunship within ayear for
radical tests.
The laser-armed C-130 project is U.S. Special Operations Command's top unfunded priority, according to
Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, the head of Air Force Special Operations Command.
'I'm pretty optimistic,' Webb said of the project Thursday at an Air Force Association-sponsored
conference, according to Defence One.
'There are a lot of vendors that are really contributing to and continue to push that technology along.'
The command has money 'to do the first steps' of the project, Webb claimed.
He also said military bosses would need to work on the 'rules on engagement' for the futuristic weapons.
'At some point … a policy discussion is going to have to be had on where and how can you use a laser
and where and where and how can you not,' he said……
Cape Canaveral AFS
Rubio-Sponsored NASA Bill Heads to President's
Desk
RUBIO PRESS RELEASE, MAR 07 2017
HTTP://WWW.RUBIO.SENATE.GOV/PUBLIC/INDEX.CFM/PRESS-RELEASES?ID=9104007D-AB2F-42068568-A4FECED01FBD
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) hailed the U.S. House of Representatives’
unanimous passage tonight of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transition
Authorization Act (S. 442), which Rubio and six other senators reintroduced in February. The Senate
unanimously passed the bill in February, and it now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“Florida remains an indispensable player on the cutting edge of our nation’s space program,” said
Rubio. “This bipartisan legislation will foster innovation, support NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)
and Orion programs, improve collaboration between the agency and commercial space sector, and benefit
thousands of workers across Florida, particularly at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. I
look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to make America’s space
program even more successful, and ensure NASA has the resources it needs in the years ahead.”
Following his visit to Florida’s Space Coast in August, Rubio and others initially introduced this bill in
September 2016.
NAS Key West
Navy To Key West Boaters: Sail Away From The
Weapons Bunkers
By NANCY KLINGENER, 7 MARCH 2017
http://wlrn.org/post/navy-key-west-boaters-sail-away-weapons-bunkers
The image of the liveaboard life in the Keys is free and easy — toss down an anchor and you're home.
But there's one location off Key West where the U.S. Navy wants the boats at anchor to move on. Now.
Fleming Key is a small island off Key West with facilities that the public rarely sees, like the city of Key
West's sewage treatment plant. And bunkers where the Navy stores weapons and ammunition.
Those bunkers have "explosive safety arcs," or areas that could be blast zones in the case of an accident.
Sailing and especially anchoring within those areas is prohibited.
"Over time, boats drift and creep a little. It's kind of a maintenance thing where we have to go out and
remind them to move," said Trice Denny, spokeswoman for Naval Air Station Key West. "I myself was
on the boat out there looking, it's probably 20 or 30, easily."
Denny said the zones are clearly marked on nautical charts and GPS navigation systems…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed Martin lands $20.6M contract for F-35
work
Matthew Richardson, Reporter, Orlando Business Journal, Mar 6, 2017, 12:07pm EST
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/03/06/lockheed-martin-lands-20-6m-contract-for-f-35-work.html
The contracts for Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet keep rolling in, and that's good news for Central
Florida.
The Bethesda, Md.-based company, which has more than 7,000 employees in Central Florida, won a
$20.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy on March 3 — a day after it was awarded an $11.6 million
contract to perform operational tests and evaluation configuration support efforts for the jet.
Work for the new $20.6 million contract include conducting airworthiness requirements — measuring an
aircraft's suitability for safe flight — technical reviews and deficiency corrections. The work, which has a
March 2020 completion date, will be performed in various U.S. locations, including Orlando.
The contract is connected to Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) nearly $9 billion Lot 10 contract to deliver
90 F-35s to various military branches over the course of a few years with the first delivery starting next
year.
The F-35 program supports nearly 1,600 jobs in Florida, with 1,300 of those employees in Orlando.
Lockheed Martin's Rotary & Mission Systems business in east Orlando supports the training and logistics
aspects of the F-35 program and the firm's Missiles & Fire Control facility in west Orlando produces F-35
targeting systems. See the slideshow for a look at several F-35 aircraft.
Secretary Zinke Announces Proposed 73-Million Acre
Oil and Natural Gas Lease Sale for Gulf of Mexico
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Date: March 6, 2017, Contact: [email protected]
Caryl Fagot, BOEM (504) 736-2590
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-zinke-announces-proposed-73-million-acre-oil-and-natural-gas-leasesale-gulf
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced that the Department will
offer 73 million acres offshore Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida for oil and gas
exploration and development. The proposed region-wide lease sale scheduled for August 16, 2017 would
include all available unleased areas in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Opening more federal lands and waters to oil and gas drilling is a pillar of President Trump’s plan to
make the United States energy independent,” Secretary Zinke said. “The Gulf is a vital part of that
strategy to spur economic opportunities for industry, states, and local communities, to create jobs and
home-grown energy and to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”
Proposed Lease Sale 249, scheduled to be livestreamed from New Orleans, will be the first offshore sale
under the new Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022 (Five Year
Program). Under this new program, ten region-wide lease sales are scheduled for the Gulf, where the
resource potential and industry interest are high, and oil and gas infrastructure is well established. Two
Gulf lease sales will be held each year and include all available blocks in the combined Western, Central,
and Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas.
The estimated amount of resources projected to be developed as a result of the proposed region-wide
lease sale ranges from 0.211 to 1.118 billion barrels of oil and from 0.547 to 4.424 trillion cubic feet of
gas. The sale could potentially result in 1.2 to 4.2 percent of the forecasted cumulative OCS oil and gas
activity in the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the activity (up to 83% of future production) of the proposed lease
sale is expected to occur in the Central Planning Area.
Lease Sale 249 will include about 13,725 unleased blocks, located from three to 230 miles offshore, in the
Gulf’s Western, Central and Eastern planning areas in water depths ranging from nine to more than
11,115 feet (three to 3,400 meters). Excluded from the lease sale are blocks subject to the Congressional
moratorium established by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006; blocks that are adjacent to or
beyond the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the area known as the northern portion of the Eastern Gap;
and whole blocks and partial blocks within the current boundary of the Flower Garden Banks National
Marine Sanctuary.
“To promote responsible domestic energy production, the proposed terms of this sale have been carefully
developed through extensive environmental analysis, public comment, and consideration of the best
scientific information available,” said Walter Cruickshank, the acting director of Interior’s Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). “This will ensure both orderly resource development and
protection of the environment.”
The lease sale terms include stipulations to protect biologically sensitive resources, mitigate potential
adverse effects on protected species, and avoid potential conflicts associated with oil and gas
development in the region. BOEM’s proposed economic terms include a range of incentives to encourage
diligent development and ensure a fair return to taxpayers. The terms and conditions for Sale 249 in the
Proposed Notice of Sale are not final. Different terms and conditions may be employed in the Final
Notice of Sale, which will be published at least 30 days before the sale.
BOEM estimates that the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) contains about 90 billion barrels of
undiscovered technically recoverable oil and 327 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered technically
recoverable gas. The Gulf of Mexico OCS, covering about 160 million acres, has technically recoverable
resources of 48.46 billion barrels of oil and 141.76 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Production from all OCS leases provided 550 million barrels of oil and 1.25 trillion cubic feet of natural
gas in FY2016, accounting for 72 percent of the oil and 27 percent of the natural gas produced on federal
lands. Energy production and development of new projects on the U.S. OCS supported an estimated
492,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in FY2015 and generated $5.1 billion in total revenue that was
distributed to the Federal Treasury, state governments, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and Historic
Preservation Fund.
As of March 1, 2017, about 16.9 million acres on the U.S. OCS are under lease for oil and gas
development (3,194 active leases) and 4.6 million of those acres (929 leases) are producing oil and natural
gas. More than 97 percent of these leases are in the Gulf of Mexico; about 3 percent are on the OCS off
California and Alaska.
The current Five Year Program [2012-2017] has one final Gulf lease sale scheduled on March 22, 2017
for Central Planning Area Sale 247. The 2012-2017 Five Year Program has offered about 73 million
acres, netted more than $3 billion in high bids for American taxpayers and awarded more than 2,000
leases.
All terms and conditions for Gulf of Mexico Region-wide Sale 249 are detailed in the Proposed Notice of
Sale (PNOS) information package, which is available at: http://www.boem.gov/Sale-249/. Copies of the
PNOS maps can be requested from the Gulf of Mexico Region’s Public Information Unit at 1201
Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70123, or at 800-200-GULF (4853).
DoD Budget
Trump’s Budget Plan Hits Wall of Opposition: Is the
Military Buildup in Jeopardy?
By Sandra I. Erwin, 3/5/2017
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=2432
Widespread rejection of President Donald Trump’s budget trial balloon last week has Washington bracing
for months of trench warfare over spending priorities.
Trump’s highly touted military buildup may eventually materialize, but at a slower pace than the
Pentagon and the defense industry had imagined.
The administration’s proposed $54 billion increase in military spending in 2018 already has been deemed
a political nonstarter because it would be paid by equivalent cuts to nondefense agencies. The defense
sector, nevertheless, is far from hitting the panic button. It is buckling down for a protracted fiscal fight
that likely will stretch into 2018, and some industry analysts believe investors will take the long view.
Some defense industry stocks have been downgraded upon recognition that expectations of quick-andeasy buildup were too high. There is still however high confidence in the defense industry that Trump will
make good on his promise of pumping more money into defense. “Investors see this as Trump’s first
down payment on increased defense funding,” says James McAleese, principal of the consulting firm
McAleese & Associates.
The House soon will move to approve a $577.9 billion defense appropriations bill for 2017 — $516.1
billion in the base budget and $61.8 billion for the OCO war account. Lawmakers are expected to give the
Pentagon an additional $7 billion to pay for new equipment. More money on top of that will come from a
new OCO request that the administration soon will submit. That would push the Pentagon’s overall 2017
budget above $600 billion.
The markets are banking on substantially larger defense budgets beyond 2018, McAleese suggests in a
briefing distributed to clients. “Investors are expecting an eventual 2018 compromise, but need to get in
now ‘at-ground-floor-valuations’ before final defense funding growth is fully priced into the stocks.”…..
China hikes defence budget to $152 billion
PTI | Updated: Mar 6, 2017, 04.41 PM IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/china-hikes-defence-budget-to-152billion/articleshow/57492917.cms
BEIJING: China has hiked its military spending by seven per cent to $152 billion, about three
times higher than that of India, as Beijing braced for countering America's push into the disputed
South China Sea.
After skipping the customary mention of the figures of defence spending in the work report submitted by
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to lawmakers on Sunday, state-run Xinhua news agency on Monday
announced that the military budget for this year stands at 1.04 trillion yuan ($152 billion).
China's defence budget for 2017 will grow seven per cent from the actual figure in 2016, Xinhua quoted
an official with ministry of finance as saying on Monday.
"The country's military spending this year will stand at 1.04 trillion yuan (about US 152 billion) with 1.02
trillion yuan from the central budget," the Xinhua report said.
This is the first time that China's military spending crossed a trillion yuan.
Last year China's military spending was 954.35 billion yuan, a 7.6 per cent increase from 2015.
China's defence budget is about three times higher than India's $53.5 billion…….
Other Of Interest
Tampa Chamber honors military personnel
Florida Business Daily Reports | Mar 5, 2017
http://flbusinessdaily.com/stories/511086784-tampa-chamber-honors-military-personnel
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce recently recognized several members of the military at an
awards ceremony.
The 2017 Military Appreciation Awards were presented by USAA, an insurance and financial firm started
in the 1920s in the United States by military veterans who could not get car insurance so they banded
together to insure each other.
Ret. Gen. Anne Dunwoody gave a keynote address, according to a chamber press release Tampa
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, as well as chamber leaders, recognized the service members' contributions. This
was the 19th year the chamber has held the recognition event for local military personnel. The awards
recognize "outstanding contributions to the greater good of the Tampa Bay community," according to the
press release….. (See article for list of winners)
March 17
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #53 will be via Conference Call / WebEx on
Thursday, 20 April 2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Task Force Membership Changes – The Governor’s office has moved MG Calhoun
from regular membership to the position as the Governor’s Personal Representative,
releasing Senator Dana Young from the Task Force. In addition, two Senate appointees
have resigned their positions: Mr J.R. McDonald and former Senator Mike Bennett,
brining our vacancies to six. Staff is working hard to gain appointments with the
Governor’s Office (2 vacancies), the Senate President’s Office (3 vacancies) and the
Speakers Office (1 vacancy). (MG Calhoun press release attached)
4. FDA Mtg Presentations on Energy – Some Task Force members asked to review the
energy resiliency presentation provided to the FDA on 15 March 2017. Please go to this
link to review the slides: https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/fdapresentations-2017-website.pdf
5. ADC Defense Community Awards – ADC has extended their entry deadline to 31
March 2017. Go to http://us4.campaignarchive2.com/?u=8156c255f5c0e2d33ce307ef7&id=527259df75&e=2af978a613
6. Attachments:
 Governor Announces Appointment of MG Calhoun
 Team Orlando Newsletter (2017-March-10 4)
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Deputy Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
FDSTF
Task Force wants money to fight encroachment on
Florida military bases
MICHAEL MOLINE, 16 March 2017
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/234077-military-bases
Florida would place its military installations at risk of commercial encroachment — and, possibly, closure
— without adequate funding for land acquisition through the Florida Forever land acquisition program, a
military support organization warned Thursday.
Some $3 million from U.S. Department of Defense funds will be lost at the end of 2018 unless the state
provides matching funds, said Bruce Grant, Enterprise Florida vice president for military programs,
during a meeting in Tallahassee with the Florida Defense Support Task Force.
The task force operates under Enterprise Florida’s purview.
“Most legislators may not connect (Florida Forever) with military land buffering,” Grant said. “But there
is a connection.”
He referred to federal program called REPI — the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative.
Since 2002, REPI has matched $19.4 million against $72 million in state funds to protect more than
68,000 acres buffering military bases.
The Legislature is considering spending $15 million on Florida Forever in the next budget, with $5
million tagged for the Florida Keys, Grant said.
Florida needs to pony up for land acquisition near Naval Air Station Whiting Field, in Santa Rosa County,
and the Avon Park Air Force range or lose the federal matches, Grant said.
Additional projects would shield Tyndall Air Force Base in Bay County, and Camp Blanding, near
Starke, the main training base for the Florida National Guard.
“With limited funding in Florida Forever, it only goes so far,” said David Clark, director for the Florida
Division of State Lands.
“We’re trying to leverage that as wisely as we can,” he said.
Senate President Joe Negron’s plan to stop discharges of toxic algae from Lake Okeechobee would
divert billions of dollars from Florida Forever to finance water projects around the state.
Buffering acquisitions are intended to shield the state’s 20 military installations against nearby
commercial development that might compromise their missions — say, a housing development along a
runway approach, or near a target range.
With the federal government expected to review bases for closure in 2019 or 2021, “now is not the time to
pull back and pause,” said Kellie Jo Kilberg, of the Florida Defense Alliance, which promotes military
programs in the state.
“Now is the time for us to really come together and … fund those programs, so that our 20 installations
here in the state, that we don’t lose those, and that we do continue to gain and add to the economy,” she
said.
Also implicated is the state’s Defense Infrastructure Grant — DIG — program, which also draws federal
REPI money. The state has consistently funded the program at around $1.6 million.
“For Okaloosa County, alone, I have just short of $1 million waiting for the county to be able to execute,
using the DIG program funds,” said Jeff Fanto, a community planner at Eglin Air Force Base.
Rep. Clay Ingram, the Pensacola Republican who chairs the task force, shared those concern.
“It’s important that the military component at least he in the conversation with regard to spending those
dollars,” Ingram said.
“Because some of the most pristine lands in this state are in these conservation areas and easements that
we’ve created around our military installations. They’re worthy of funding,” he said.
“The other benefit, though, is making the installations more valuable and less likely to be closed,” Ingram
said.
BRAC
BRAC could aid region if Northwest Florida is
prepared
Joseph Baucum , published 4:46 p.m. CT March 10, 2017 | Updated 7:59 a.m. CT March 11, 2017
http://www.pnj.com/story/money/business/2017/03/10/brac-northwest-florida-pensacola-military-gaetz-trumpcyber-warfare-cybersecurity/98957808/
Although uncertain when it will occur, another round of military base closings from the federal Base
Realignment and Closure Commission could transpire at some point in the next four years, risking the
loss of jobs and tax revenues for communities reliant on the military as an economic driver — such as
those across Northwest Florida.
But with many convinced of its inevitability, the possibility also exists for the region to prepare so well
for the next BRAC that the Panhandle's military installations not only resist downsizing, but add new
missions from other states.
"BRAC should be viewed as an opportunity to attract more missions," said U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort
Walton Beach, who predicted Thursday the next BRAC would ensue during the Trump administration.
"We should not begin that process upon the announcement of a BRAC. We should be working now on
priorities to harden our mission in Northwest Florida."
Several expect another round of base closings because similar to sectors across the economy
that deliver products more effectively through innovation and automation, better trained soldiers and
higher quality technologies have increasingly allowed the military to carry out missions with more
efficiency. That evolution has diminished the military's dependence on various resources, notably the
amount of locations required for missions.
The loss of missions could sap a region of funds. In the Pensacola metro area, the military acts as the
largest economic generator. According to labor market analyst Emsi, the military accounted for $4.5
billion in total value of all goods and services produced in 2016. It was also the sector with the most jobs
at 21,035. That role in the region's financial standing intensifies the significance of the area weathering
the next base closings.
But in deeming a portion of bases superfluous, the federal government would also reassign missions
to locations with the best resources to buttress the military's objectives. The region's political
delegation and economic experts asserted Northwest Florida is already well equipped for that assignment.
Gaetz pointed to the state's agreement with the Department of Defense that allows Army Rangers and
other elite special operations teams to train in state forests. He added that roadways at
bases have improved such as upgrades to ingress and egress at the Air Force's Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa
County. He also underscored the need to continue investing in the Florida LamdaRail, which provides
high-speed internet connections to the region. Cyber defense, such as the operations at the Navy's Corry
Station in Pensacola, will play a substantial role in the military moving forward, he said.
"I believe we’ll have to allocate a greater portion of our defense budget to cyber warfare and
cybersecurity, so enhancing our IT infrastructure helps us to BRAC-proof the cyber mission of Corry."
Rep. Clay Ingram, Republican state lawmaker from Pensacola, highlighted the state's efforts to protect
Florida from military downsizing through the Florida Defense Support Task Force, a legislatively
mandated council with an objective to protect the state's military operations. The council is chaired by
Ingram.
He said the council's budget is about $2 million, and one program it funds involves the state purchasing
land around bases to prevent private developers from encroaching upon the bases' activities and possibly
creating safety hazards.
"It’s a common-sense program to insulate bases," Ingram said…..
Making BRAC politically palatable
BY CHRISTOPHER M. SCHNAUBELT, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR - 03/15/17 12:10 PM EDT 7
https://origin-nyi.thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/324067-making-brac-politically-palatable
It is widely believed that the Department of Defense is currently paying billions of dollars a year to
maintain excess infrastructure because Congress has prohibited additional rounds of Base Realignment
and Closure, commonly known as “BRAC.” For example, during a House Armed Services Committee
hearing in February, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General Daniel B. Allyn and the Vice Chief of
Staff of the Air Force General Stephen W. Wilson expressed their support for additional rounds of
BRAC. According to their testimony, even after increasing to 490,000 active-duty soldiers the Army will
have 21 percent excess capacity. The Air Force currently has 25 percent excess capacity.
According to the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, BRAC actions in 1988,
1991, 1993, and 1995 resulted in the closure of more than 300 bases across the U.S. The 2005
commission identified an additional 12 bases for closure. In its Fiscal Year 2017 budget estimates, the
Department of Defense reported that the annual recurring savings from these base closures and
realignments are about $7 billion.
This situation invites the question: If it is widely recognized that a new BRAC could free up billions of
dollars to be spent on readiness, equipment, and increases in the size of the armed forces, why is it so
difficult to get the necessary authorization from Congress?
One factor is a debate about the net costs and benefits of off-loading the excess infrastructure. BRAC
activities present near-term expenses, such as environmental remediation and clean-up of unexploded
ordinance, in the expectation of greater savings in the long term. Opponents of BRAC have argued that
the last round did not produce the expected net benefits.
Nonetheless, the underlying answer to this question is that no potentially impacted community or its
elected representatives wish to be the bill payer for an action that would benefit everyone else while
hurting them economically. In the political science literature, this forms what is called a "collective action
problem."…..
NAS Pensacola
NAS Pensacola wins environmental award
by Kristie Henderson, 16 Mar 2017
http://weartv.com/news/local/nas-pensacola-wins-environmental-award
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — Naval Air Station Pensacola has been named a recipient of the Chief of
Naval Operations (CNO) Cultural Resources Management Award.
The CNO Environmental Awards program recognizes Navy ships, installations, individuals and teams for
their accomplishments and contributions to improving the environmental performance of the Navy.
Carrie Williams with the NAS Pensacola Cultural Resources Department also received an award in the
Cultural Resources Management Individual/Team category.
"Congratulations to all our accomplished winners for their impressive achievements in protecting
environmental assets while maintaining mission readiness. The Navy commends you for your innovative
and tireless efforts to demonstrate environmental stewardship and ensure national security," said Vice
Adm. Philip H. Cullom, deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics……
Eglin AFB
Beach permit applications soar
By Annie Blanks, Posted Mar 11, 2017 at 12:01 AM, Updated Mar 11, 2017 at 6:40 AM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170311/beach-permit-applications-soar
EGLIN AFB — Eglin Air Force Base officials were overwhelmed with permit applications over the
weekend after an article in the Destin Log informed people about new permit requirements to access Air
Force-controlled beaches.
Mike Spaits, a spokesman for Eglin Air Force Base, said his Department of Outdoor Recreation received
more than 600 permit applications since the article was published on Saturday.
"We're absolutely thrilled," Spaits said. "We've been monitoring the social media comments and I'm
really pleased that, from my perspective, it looks like we're getting somewhere between 80-90 percent
positive comments that our local community is very supportive of this and they understand and appreciate
the attempt to make folks smarter about using their beaches."
The free permit can be acquired after watching a 5-minute informational video at eglin.iSportsman.net.
Each person over the age of 16 is required to have a permit to use the beach. The permit can be displayed
via a screenshot on a phone, or printed out and placed in the dashboard of a car.
The permit is required for every Eglin-owned beach access on Okaloosa Island, including the popular
access at the foot of the Marler Bridge.
Eglin officials say the permit serves to educate the public about habitats and natural resources of the
beach….
NSA Panama City
Cabinet OKs $1.67M Barefoot Palms purchase
By John Henderson | 522-5108 | @PCNHjohn | [email protected], Posted Mar 15, 2017 at 4:26 PM, Updated
at 10:15 AM
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170315/cabinet-oks-167m-barefoot-palms-purchase
PANAMA CITY BEACH — The Florida Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to purchase land next to the Navy
base, putting the final exclamation point on a controversial land deal in Bay County that has lingered for
seven years.
Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet on Wednesday agreed to purchase 8.4 acres from Bay County for $1.67
million to provide a larger buffer zone for the Naval Support Activity facility off Thomas Drive.
The facility is home to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, which conducts research on the latest ships and
autonomous vehicles. The Bay County purchase is part of a state program to provide buffer zones for key
military facilities in the state, with efforts also aimed at limiting encroachment at Naval Station Mayport
in Jacksonville and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
For years, Bay County officials have tried to figure out how to recoup tax money on a deal in which the
county basically agreed to front money to buy land for the Navy. The county bought the land in 2010 as a
buffer zone to help keep it off a base closure list, only to see the appraised value of the property plunge
during the recession, and then the county couldn't get its money back.
In December, the County Commission agreed to accept the state's $1.6 million to buy the property, which
is $1.3 million less than what the county paid for the land in 2010. The Navy also agreed to give the
county a 50-foot-wide piece of land on Surf Drive valued at $445,000 in county property tax records. The
land is next to other county property, and the site could be used for beach access and parking, county
officials said.
County officials said they bought the 8.4 acres to stop encroachment of the Barefoot Palms development
on the perimeter of the base, which could increase the odds of it being put on a future base closure list…..
Tyndall AFB
Military contracts haul in $6.5B to Bay County since
2000
By Collin Breaux | 747-5081 | @PCNHCollinB | [email protected], Posted Mar 11, 2017 at 10:05 PM
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170311/military-contracts-haul-in-65b-to-bay-county-since-2000
PANAMA CITY — Defense contractors' work typically proceeds within the shadow of the military at
large, but that behind-the-scenes work is quietly bringing billions of dollars to the area.
Their wide-ranging work — repairing boats and improving bomb detection at airports, for starters — has
steered $6.5 billion to Bay County for over 8,500 contracts from 2000 to 2015, according to information
supplied by the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Gulf Coast State College.
And those jobs tend to pay higher salaries and better benefits than the local average, along with sustaining
dozens of local businesses and bringing in workers from out-of-town giants like Lockheed Martin.
Together, the businesses focus on work that frees up the military to do its primary job: protecting the
country.
Defense contractors are primarily private businesses whose main focus is contracting with the
government to provide needed services. Within Bay County are 429 contractors, according to recent
contract records. Of those, 13 belong to the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, where some have been
members since the 1980s. Some contractors work mostly with local bases, while others also contract
outside the county….
Cape Canaveral AFS
TRAFFIC JAM: SPACE COAST COULD SEE 3
LAUNCHES IN 8 DAYS
BART LEAHY, MARCH 12TH, 2017
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/ccafs/traffic-jam-space-coast-could-see-3-launches-in-8-days/
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Three different rockets are expected to take to the skies from the Space
Coast in as little as eight days. March 2017 is expected to be a busy month in a year that could see as
many as 30 rockets lift off from one of the busiest spaceports in the world.
The last time the Eastern Range, which supports rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
and Kennedy Space Center, was this busy was more than 20 years ago. As such, it is
continuing to update its systems to meet an ever increasing demand.
Scheduled to fly first is the EchoStar 23 satellite on March 14 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.
Next, on March 17, United Launch Alliance (ULA) will send into space the ninth Wideband Global
SATCOM satellite atop its Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) rocket for the Department of Defense.
Finally, on March 21, Orbital ATK’s International Space Station-bound Cygnus cargo freighter will be
launched atop a ULA Atlas V. All three of these missions reflect the growing intensity and diversity of
Florida launch operations.
To top off an already busy second half of March, SpaceX is scheduled to fly an additional Falcon 9, the
company’s first re-flown booster, as early as March 27. That would make four launches in less than two
weeks.
These dates assume, of course, none of the launches suffer from a delay due to weather or technical
issues. If one mission has to shift its liftoff date, other flights could be affected too…..
Patrick AFB
45th SW supports successful Falcon 9 EchoStar XXIII
launch
45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published March 16, 2017
http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1120143/45th-sw-supports-successful-falcon-9-echostarxxiii-launch
The U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing supported SpaceX’s successful launch of the EchoStar XXIII
spacecraft aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center March
16 at 2 a.m. EDT.
EchoStar 23, designed and built by Space Systems Loral for EchoStar Corporation, will provide
television broadcast services over Brazil with an estimated service life of 15 years.
This launch marks the last SpaceX Falcon 9 launch utilizing ground-based mission flight control
personnel and equipment in the mission control center. All future SpaceX rockets will utilize an
Autonomous Flight Safety System which replaces the ground-based mission flight control personnel and
equipment with on-board Positioning, Navigation and Timing sources and decision logic. The benefits of
AFSS include increased public safety, reduced reliance on range infrastructure, reduced range spacelift
cost, increased schedule predictability and availability, operational flexibility, and launch slot flexibility.
SpaceX’s CRS-10 launch Feb.18 from LC 39A marked the historic first-ever launch utilizing AFSS on
either of Air Force Space Command’s Eastern or Western Ranges.
The Falcon 9 Echostar XXIII launch was the third major launch operation for the Eastern Range this year
and the second from LC 39A. Before any spacecraft can launch on the range, a combined team of
military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th Space Wing provide the mission
assurance to ensure a safe and successful lift-off for range customers…..
Avon Park
Florida is battleground for Airmen honing combat
skills
By Jodi Mohrmann - Posted: 5:46 PM, March 15, 2017Updated: 5:46 PM, March 15, 2017
http://www.news4jax.com/news/military/florida-is-battleground-for-airmen-honing-combat-skills
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For two weeks, Florida was the battleground for New York and Georgia
Airmen preparing for whatever mission they are called to next -- to be ready to go to combat together.
New York Air Guardsmen, assigned to the 105th Base Defense Squadron arrived at Avon Park Air Force
Range in Florida March 3. There, they met up with their active duty counterparts assigned to
the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, for a Mission Readiness Exercise, or
MRX.
From reconnaissance training to encountering IEDs, this exercise is crucial. Guard members and active
duty Airmen train together before they're ever called on to deploy together.
"We don't really want Airmen going into theater without this kind of training -- that makes it harder to
adjust," said Senior Master Sgt. Shawn Knowlton, the 105th BDS liaison to the 820th BDS.
MRX allows these Airmen to hone their combat skills and build good relationships between both units,
making integrating for a deployment easier and more effective.
"Coming to an MRX with the 822nd is not all about getting your HUA on, it's about training, building
inter-unit trust and that interdependency," explained First Lieutenant Antoine Caldwell. "Though most of
these Airmen have experienced an exercise on this scale, this is their rite of passage. That way when the
time comes for them to deploy, that member from the 822, 823, and 824 can honestly say, 'Yes, I know
this Airman, he or she, is squared away,' and they have no doubt in their ability when it comes to outside
the wire missions."…..
DoD Budget
Trump's budget — to boost military but cut domestic
aid — would be mixed bag for FL
Ledyard King, USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA, Published 7:57 p.m. ET March 16, 2017
http://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/16/trumps-budget-boost-military-but-cut-domestic-aidwould-mixed-bag-fl/99265366/
WASHINGTON - Floridians who bemoan the federal government’s increasing reach and size under
former President Barack Obama will find plenty to cheer about in President Donald Trump’s proposed
budget.
Trump's budget would slash non-defense discretionary spending, defund key regulations and
eliminate tens of thousands of government jobs.
On the other hand, Florida residents might be disappointed if they want to see Amtrak service expand,
depend on federal assistance to prepare for natural disasters, or advocate accelerated cleanup of the
dozens of toxic Superfund sites dotting Florida.
Trump’s “America First” proposal released Thursday would boost spending on security (including a wall
along the Mexican border) and the military, the latter by $54 billion.
To pay for those increases, the budget would impose steep cuts on non-defense spending, including
education, environmental protection, health and human services, and foreign aid.
Congress will have the final say on the budget, which would eliminate several programs, including those
primarily responsible for supporting public broadcasting, legal aid and community block grants.
There already is grumbling on Capitol Hill.
“This plan doesn’t make any sense,” Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said. “You're going to cut some of our
most important agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, which is working to find cures for
cancer and Alzheimer's; the Environmental Protection Agency, which keeps our air and water clean; and
the Army Corps of Engineers, which is working to restore the Everglades.
"I agree that we must do whatever is necessary to keep our country safe," Nelson said, "but cutting all of
these important programs to pay for things such as a wall just doesn’t make any sense.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., lauded the president for his proposal to expand school choice through tax
credit incentives for scholarships to low-income students, as well as his attempt to restore defense
spending that had been stunted by gridlock in Congress.
But he also pushed back on the president’s proposed deep cuts to the State Department and foreign aid.
“While this budget blueprint offers insights into the president’s thinking about what’s important to his
administration and the American people, it is Congress that will actually set the nation’s policy priorities
and fund them,” Rubio said.
“I will continue to review all the details of this budget proposal for areas of common interest we can work
on together,” he said.
Other Of Interest
Trump nominates Boeing executive to be Pentagon's
second-in-command
By TARA COPP | STARS AND STRIPES, Published: March 16, 2017
http://www.stripes.com/news/us/trump-nominates-boeing-executive-to-be-pentagon-s-second-in-command1.458999#.WMvj_m8rLIU
President Donald Trump announced several key nominees Thursday to serve in the Defense Department.
All six require Senate confirmation.
• Patrick Shanahan, senior vice president for supply and operations at the Boeing Company, was
nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense, the No. 2 civilian spot at the Pentagon under Defense
Secretary Jim Mattis. Also at Boeing, Shanahan was senior vice president of the 737, 747, 767, 777 and
787 aircraft programs, and oversaw its missile defense systems.
• David Joel Trachtenberg would serve as Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Policy. He is
the president and CEO of a national security consultancy.
• Robert Daigle was nominated as director for the Pentagon’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation,
which sets cost estimates for all the Pentagon’s major weapons systems. Daigle served in the CAPE office
under President George W. Bush. He is a professional staff member on the House Armed Services
Committee.
• David Norquist was nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller, overseeing the
Pentagon’s spending plans. Norquist served as a deputy comptroller in the Pentagon and was the first
Senate-confirmed Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Homeland Security.
• Elaine McCusker would serve as Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller. She is the
director for resources and analysis, U.S.Central Command, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
• Kenneth P. Rapuano was nominated as an Assistant Secretary of Defense, Homeland Defense and
Global Security. He served as White House Deputy Homeland Security Advisor from 2004-2006.
“These are all highly qualified individuals who were personally recommended by Secretary Mattis to the
President for nomination,” Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said in a statement Thursday.
March 24
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #53 will be via Conference Call / WebEx on
Thursday, 20 April 2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. New Task Force Member – Senate President Joe Negron has appointed Senator Doug
Broxson to the Task Force effective immediately (appointment letter attached). Senator
Broxson is from FL Senate District 1 which includes several important military
installations including NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Corry Station and Saufley
Field. The Senator is currently the Vice Chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs,
Space, and Domestic Security Committee and holds a seat on the Appropriations
Subcommittee on General Government, among other committee assignments. Senator
Broxson served as a Representative in the Florida House from 2010-2016 prior to
election to the Florida Senate in 2016. Please do not hesitate to welcome Sen Broxson to
the Task Force. More information on Senator Broxson is available at
https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s1. Staff continues work to fill our other five
vacancies as soon as possible.
4. FL Sen Gibson Makes F-35 Resolution – SB 1786 (Gibson): United States Air Force
F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft; Expressing support for basing United
States Air Force F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft at the Florida Air National
Guard base at Jacksonville International Airport. The full text of the resolution is
attached or you can review on line at www.flsenate.gov and insert the bill number at the
top of the page or see attached copy (SB 1786).
5. OSD Tasks GOMEX Assessment – On 27 Feb 2017, Office of the Secretary of Defense
(OSD) directed a new “Mission Compatibility Assessment of Offshore Oil and Gas
Activities in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico”. The goal is to document current and future
test and training needs in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to sustain DoD’s ability to conduct
missions in the Gulf. The tasker directs services and range users to provide inputs not
later than June 10, 2017 (see attached tasker).
6. FL Congressional Delegation Calls For Carrier at Mayport – In a March 20, 2017
letter to the SecDef and SECNAV, every member of the FL CODEL requested an aircraft
carrier be homeported at NS Mayport Next year. The letter (attached) cited the Navy’s
need to strategically separate the carrier fleet on the east coast and noted that NS Mayport
had been identified in 2010 but preparations for carrier support had been deferred several
times due to budget cuts. They argued that Mayport has previously maintained a carrier,
making it a great choice. (Also see article in the CLIPS below under “Mayport”)
7. DoD Legacy Program Announces Application Window – The DoD Legacy Program
funds high priority conservation projects that foster mission sustainment while promoting
the long-term stewardship of our nation's natural and cultural heritage. The attached
memo (FY2018 Legacy RFP and AOEs) announces the request for pre-proposals and
describes the Fiscal Year 2018 Areas of Emphasis (AOEs). The FNG will be getting this
information out to Base Commanders and EFI will be pushing it to FDA members to for
possible projects that support base communities. The DoD Legacy Program will consider
proposals that address at least one of the following AOEs:
 Mission Enhancement and Range Sustainment
 Planning to Address and Adapt to New and Emerging Threats
 Efficiencies in Cultural Resources Management
 Asset Resiliency through Historic Preservation
 Training and Communication
8. Military / Veteran Related Bills – Status of all Mil / Vet related bills listed by last date
of action is attached. To review or track House Bills, go to
www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both
sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if you would like review in more depth.
9. Attachments:
 Senator Broxson Appointment to FDSTF
 FL Senate Resolution Supporting F-35 to Jacksonville
 OSD Tasker to Evaluate Gulf of Mexico Ranges
 FL CODEL asks for a Carrier at Mayport
 FY2018 Legacy RFP and AOEs
 Status of Military / Veteran Friendly Bills
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
FDA
Caught in Tallahassee crossfire, military advocacy
group fights for survival
BY JEREMY WALLACE, MARCH 23, 2017 5:00 AM
HTTP://WWW.MIAMIHERALD.COM/NEWS/POLITICS-GOVERNMENT/STATEPOLITICS/ARTICLE140210608.HTML
TALLAHASSEE – While the prospect of another round of military base closures is getting more talk in
Washington, the Florida Legislature is taking steps to kill off a non-profit created to help keep Florida
bases off the chopping block.
A 187-page bill passed by the Florida House earlier this month that kills two dozen tax credits includes a
clause that wipes out the Florida Defense Alliance, a mostly volunteer advocacy group created in the
1990s to work with local communities to protect the state’s 20 remaining military installations, including
Homestead Air Reserve Base.
Gov. Rick Scott calls the group “crucial” to staving off future base closures, but the Florida House argues
that it is redundant and expendable. Regardless of who is right, the Alliance has become a proxy in the
battle between Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran over the fate of Enterprise Florida, the state’s
corporate recruitment agency.
Scott credits Enterprise Florida with helping create 1.3 million jobs since he was elected in 2010. The bill
that the House passed two weeks ago eliminates it — and the Florida Defense Alliance.
The fact that the Alliance could be in jeopardy is surprising to Tim Ford, CEO of the Association of
Defense Communities, a nonprofit that helps communities protect their bases.
“Most states are gearing up their efforts to protect their bases,” Ford said. “There are few states that are
actually ramping down.”
Scott was even more direct.
“The military has a major presence in our state, with our unified commands and all of our military bases
on top of our National Guard,” Scott told reporter Tuesday during an event to celebrate the Florida
National Guard. “It’s important to make sure that we help them continue to fulfill their missions and
that’s what [Florida Defense Alliance] does. I would be shocked that anybody would vote to hurt any
military base’s ability to fulfill its mission.”
But Florida House spokesman Fred Piccolo said the Florida Defense Alliance is redundant. He said the
House is leaving alone the Florida Defense Support Task Force, which gets $2 million a year from the
state to help the state respond to needs of military installations.
The task force hands out grants to help bases. For instance, in February that group gave $110,000 to the
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce to create a South Florida Defense Alliance aimed at helping
coordinate with the United State Southern Command, Homestead Air Reserve Base and the 7th Coast
Guard District headquarters — representing 56,000 jobs in the region.
By comparison, the Florida Defense Alliance doesn’t have much of a budget. It hosts meetings twice a
year to share information with other groups about how to better defend bases. These meetings are one of
few Alliance expenditures. Its last gathering cost taxpayers less than $4,000, according to Enterprise
Florida records……
New bill could threaten Florida military installations
by David Gonzalez, Thursday, March 23rd 2017
http://weartv.com/news/local/new-bill-could-threaten-florida-military-installations
(WEAR) — The future of military installations in Florida could be threatened by a new bill that just
passed in the House.
House Bill 7005 eliminates Enterprise Florida including the Florida Defense Alliance.
The Florida Defense Alliance protects and strengthens military bases ahead of any potential Department
of Defense (DoD) realignment or closures.
Those who don't want the alliance to disappear say billions of dollars and thousands of jobs are at stake in
Northwest Florida if this bill becomes law.
Debi Graham, vice president of the Armed Services at Greater Pensacola Chamber, said in Escambia
County alone DoD accounts for over $7.2 billion in economic impact.
The Florida Defense Alliance has been around for almost 20 years. It was formed after early rounds of
Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC).
Graham is worried lawmakers will get rid of the alliance.
"We've worked very, very hard to get where we are. We've worked very hard to make Florida the most
military friendly state in the country," Graham said…..
FLANG
Retired admiral thinks 'Jacksonville is leader' among
5 finalists to host F-35 fighter jets
By Ashley Mitchem - Posted: 11:24 AM, March 19, 2017Updated: 9:10 PM, March 19, 2017
http://www.news4jax.com/news/military/retired-admiral-thinks-jacksonville-is-leader-among-5-finalists-to-host-f35-fighter-jets
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville is one of the five locations that the U.S. Air Force is evaluating as
finalists to host Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Ultimately, two locations will be chosen.
News4Jax spoke to retired U.S. Navy Admiral Bob Natter, who believes Jacksonville’s infrastructure
makes it a prime candidate for the fighter jets.
“Jacksonville has the qualities, hands down, to win this thing,” Natter said. “What we need is the
politicians behind it.”
If it is chosen, Jacksonville would make the transition from the F-15 fighter jets that are currently
stationed there to the new F-35 as early as 2022. The F-35 program comes with an estimated cost of $400
billion.
In addition to Jacksonville, the other four finalists considered are Montgomery, Alabama; Boise, Idaho;
Selfridge, Michigan; and Dane County, Wisconsin.
“If you look at (the) strictly military value of the various sites considered for basing these F-35s, there is
no doubt Jacksonville has a chance, and, in my opinion, Jacksonville is the leader,” Natter said.
Lockheed Martin says the fighter would account for 14,700 jobs in Florida, with an annual economic
impact just over $3 billion……
BRAC
Making BRAC politically palatable
BY CHRISTOPHER M. SCHNAUBELT, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR - 03/15/17 12:10 PM EDT 7
https://origin-nyi.thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/324067-making-brac-politically-palatable
It is widely believed that the Department of Defense is currently paying billions of dollars a year to
maintain excess infrastructure because Congress has prohibited additional rounds of Base Realignment
and Closure, commonly known as “BRAC.” For example, during a House Armed Services Committee
hearing in February, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army General Daniel B. Allyn and the Vice Chief of
Staff of the Air Force General Stephen W. Wilson expressed their support for additional rounds of
BRAC. According to their testimony, even after increasing to 490,000 active-duty soldiers the Army will
have 21 percent excess capacity. The Air Force currently has 25 percent excess capacity.
According to the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, BRAC actions in 1988,
1991, 1993, and 1995 resulted in the closure of more than 300 bases across the U.S. The 2005
commission identified an additional 12 bases for closure. In its Fiscal Year 2017 budget estimates, the
Department of Defense reported that the annual recurring savings from these base closures and
realignments are about $7 billion.
This situation invites the question: If it is widely recognized that a new BRAC could free up billions of
dollars to be spent on readiness, equipment, and increases in the size of the armed forces, why is it so
difficult to get the necessary authorization from Congress?
One factor is a debate about the net costs and benefits of off-loading the excess infrastructure. BRAC
activities present near-term expenses, such as environmental remediation and clean-up of unexploded
ordinance, in the expectation of greater savings in the long term. Opponents of BRAC have argued that
the last round did not produce the expected net benefits…...
While Trump promotes military buildup, some look at
another round of base closings
BY ROB HOTAKAINEN, MARCH 22, 2017 6:00 AM
HTTP://WWW.MCCLATCHYDC.COM/ARTICLE139950553.HTML
WASHINGTON - At the same time that President Donald Trump is pushing a plan to increase defense
spending by 10 percent, Washington state Rep. Adam Smith says it’s time to save money by closing some
of the nation’s military bases.
Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, wants to reopen the controversial
Base Realignment and Closure process, known as BRAC, last used in 2005.
While the 11th-term congressman has promoted base closings before with no luck, there are signs that the
idea is getting increased attention this year on Capitol Hill.
“We ought to give it serious consideration,” Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, the chairman of the
Senate Armed Services Committee, said in an interview Tuesday.
And South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, another member of the panel, sounded receptive to
the idea as well, saying: “I’ll follow Senator McCain’s lead on this.”
Smith said that with McCain’s backing, “it makes it more likely that a BRAC will happen, if not this year,
then soon.”
“It’s gaining momentum,” Smith said in an interview.
But he acknowledged that passing his bill on the matter — the Military Infrastructure Consolidation and
Efficiency Act — won’t be easy, with many members of Congress worried that their districts might get
hit by a base closing. And he said it’s unlikely that the Republican-led Congress would ever get behind
the bill without a strong push from President Donald Trump…..
NAS Pensacola
The Blue Angels Return Home
March 21, 2017
http://www.northescambia.com/2017/03/the-blue-angels-return-home
The Blues are back! The U.S. Navy Blue Angels buzzed downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach late
Monday afternoon on their way back to their home at NAS Pensacola for the air show season..
The 2017 Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show will be July 9, and the Pensacola Naval Air Station
Homecoming Air Show is coming up on November 11 and 12. There are also numerous opportunities to
catch a Blue Angels practice aboard NAS Pensacola. Click here for a schedule.
Eglin AFB
State axe targeting students of military families
By Tom McLaughlin | Northwest Florida Daily News, Posted at 12:01 AM, Updated at 6:05 AM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170324/state-axe-targeting-students-of-military-families
Okaloosa County School Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson is rallying support across Northwest Florida
to prevent state House leaders from killing a $14 million appropriation that provides assistance for
students from military families.
"I don't understand it. It's almost like it's an attack, like they're after us because we're a military
community," Jackson said. "I'm extremely concerned and I'm going to make my voice heard."
Authors of this year's state budget have targeted the supplement, which aids military-connected students,
for elimination.
The funds were originally set aside in 2015 as a way of reimbursing counties like Okaloosa who miss out
annually on ad valorem taxes because so much of their taxable land space is taken up by federally and
state-owned military installations.
"This money we get assures the children of our military families get equal resources to everybody else,"
Jackson said.
The approximately $14 million is split between seven counties, five of which (Okaloosa, Santa Rosa,
Walton, Bay and Escambia) are in Northwest Florida, Jackson said. The other two counties that receive
funds are Brevard and Duval.
Jackson said the $2.3 million Okaloosa receives from the budget item is the largest allocation. The county
is split in two by the massive Eglin Air Force Base reservation…..
Eglin Air Force Base says opening Navarre Pass would
hurt base
Melissa Nelson Gabriel , [email protected], Published 3:46 p.m. CT March 23, 2017 | Updated 14 hours ago
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/navarre/2017/03/23/eglin-air-force-base-navarre-pass-opening/99548342/
Eglin Air Force Base said Thursday that it opposes a plan backed by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to reopen a
long-closed channel and allow Navarre boaters to pass from Santa Rosa Sound into the Gulf of Mexico.
The base said increased boat traffic would interfere with military training that takes place on a 20-mile
stretch of Eglin-owned beachfront directly east of the proposed Navarre Pass.
Advocates have tried and failed for many years to reopen the pass, which was dredged and opened for
less than three months in 1965 before Hurricane Betsy blocked it with sand and debris. To reach the Gulf,
Navarre boaters have to go 25 miles to either Pensacola or Destin.
More: Reopening Navarre Pass, beach leases on Gaetz's agenda
"Our mission impact analysis confirms that a pass would be incompatible with current and future DOD
(Department of Defense) mission sets on Santa Rosa Island. A significant increase in boat traffic around
the pass would substantially restrict our test and training activities currently conducted at our sites on
Santa Rosa Island," Mike Spaits, spokesman for the base, said in an emailed statement.
Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, has scheduled a private meeting with Navarre leaders on April
17 about reopening the pass.
Gaetz told the Pensacola News Journal that he is working with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, on a
bill to reopen the pass. Gaetz said the bill will include a provision to unravel the complicated system of
county lease agreements that has governed development of Pensacola Beach and Navarre since the island
was deeded by the federal government to Escambia County after World War II…..
NS Mayport
Florida's congressional delegation pushes for carrier
at Mayport
By News4Jax.com Staff, Posted: 4:44 PM, March 20, 2017Updated: 5:09 PM, March 20, 2017
http://www.news4jax.com/news/military/floridas-congressional-delegation-pushes-for-carrier-at-mayport
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Florida's congressional delegation signed a letter Monday and sent it to the
secretaries of defense and Navy asking that the Pentagon to fund bringing a aircraft carrier to Naval
Station Mayport next year.
Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson and all 27 of the state's U.S. House members urged the U.S.
Department of Defense to "fulfill its own recommendation to strategically disperse nuclear aircraft
carriers throughout the nation."
Following the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review’s recommendation, the U.S. Navy officially announced
its decision to achieve this objective by homeporting a nuclear aircraft carriers at Mayport.
In a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley, the
delegation reiterated "the importance of spreading out America’s most important naval asset" sand
highlighted Northeast Florida as the most attractive option.
Mayport is in the district of Jacksonville's newly elected congressman, John Rutherford.
"As we begin the important work of rebuilding our military, particularly our Naval fleet, we must make
strategic investments in our national defense," Rutherford said. "Mayport is a critical part of the Navy's
mission and future, and I am grateful that our state delegation is fully committed to Mayport’s critical role
in our national security."
Mayport has not had a carrier since the USS John F. Kennedy was decommissioned in 2007.
MacDill AFB
12 more tankers with 400 personnel may be headed to
MacDill
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Tuesday, March 21, 2017 5:00am
http://events.tbo.com/news/military/macdill/12-more-tankers-with-400-personnel-may-be-headed-tomacdill/2317243
The Tampa Bay Times has learned that MacDill is one of two bases competing to host 12 more KC-135
Stratotanker aerial refueling jets and the estimated 400 personnel who come with them.
That is in addition to 16 Stratotankers already there and another eight set to begin arriving this year.
The Air Force is moving the planes to make room for newer KC-46A Pegasus tankers — part of a $50
billion program to replace the aging fleet of Stratotankers with 179 new planes by 2028.
The 12 Stratotankers will be coming from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan., said Ann
Stefanek, an Air Force spokeswoman. MacDill is competing with Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane,
Wash., for the older jets.
Stefanek said a decision will be made soon about the jets, which first rolled off the assembly lines when
Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the White House.
The eight Stratotankers scheduled to begin arriving this year will come with 220 active duty personnel
and 75 reservists, the Air Force said. Approximately 400 personnel would be associated with 12
additional aircraft, Stefanek said…..
Enviro-Serv, Inc. (EVSV) Announces 1-Year MacDill
Air Force Base Private Housing Contract
Marketwired, March 20, 2017
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/enviro-serv-inc-evsv-announces-120000674.html
TAMPA, FL -- Enviro-Serv, Inc. ( OTC PINK : EVSV ), the parent and publicly traded vehicle of
Enviro-Serv USA, Inc., a full service and fully licensed Florida pest control operation, is pleased to
announce the following updates and comments.
In an effort to update the investment community, Chris Trina, CEO of Enviro-Serv Inc., stated, "After an
eagerly awaited 60-days, we are excited to announce that Pestmaster Services of Tampa Bay has secured
a minimum one year guaranteed contract worth up to $53,000 with the Michaels Organization, the
property management company that services the communities within the Harbor Bay complexes inside
MacDill Air Force base here in Tampa. The contract includes a 2-year extended option bringing the total
worth to $160,000. The contract commences April 9th. An estimated $23,000 should be earned by the
middle of May and more will be earned from there."
Trina went on to say, "This is a private residential contract, not a government contract, thus proving our
ability to win large awards from all perspectives. Including the renewal potential of this contract and the
Army contract announced two weeks ago, we have a guaranteed one year earnings of nearly $100,000.
Additionally, if renewal options are exercised in both contracts in the years going forward, the two
contracts' value jumps to about $200,000. As stated numerous times before, and now as things come to
fruition, I am very optimistic that our Tampa franchise can and will secure more of this type of contract
during the 2017 calendar year and beyond."…..
Tampa Bay lawmakers, Sen. Rubio and Sen. Nelson
want to bring more tanker jets to MacDill AFB
By WFLA Web Staff, Published: March 21, 2017, 4:52 pm
http://wfla.com/2017/03/21/tampa-bay-lawmakers-sen-rubio-and-sen-nelson-want-to-bring-more-tanker-jets-tomacdill-afb/
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)—Tampa Bay lawmakers along with Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Bill Nelson have
issued a joint letter in support of bringing a dozen additional KC-135 tanker jets to MacDill Air Force
Base.
The letter, addressed to Air Force Secretary Lisa Disbrow is led by U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor and Thomas
J. Rooney and includes Nelson, Rubio and the Tampa Bay congressional delegation.
“We write in strong support of relocating 12 KC-135 Stratotankers from McConnell Air Force Base to
MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) in Tampa, Florida. MacDill AFB and the 6th Air Mobility Wing play a
critical role in America’s national security mission and Air Force Air Mobility operations. As you
consider mission factors, installation capacity, environmental impacts, costs and military judgement, we
believe you will see that MacDill AFB is an ideal choice,” they said in the statement…..
US Special Operations Command
2017 SOFIC to Highlight Special Operations Priorities
to Transform Current Capabilities for Future Threats
PRNewswire-USNewswire, Mar 20, 2017, 04:00 ET
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2017-sofic-to-highlight-special-operations-priorities-to-transformcurrent-capabilities-for-future-threats-300425445.html
ARLINGTON, Va., March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2017 Special Operations Forces
Industry Conference (SOFIC), taking place May 15-18, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa,
FL, will showcase the latest technology and provide a forum for interaction and collaboration among
academia, government, industry stakeholders and the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community.
The conference will open with USSOCOM's Marketplace, a resource room of Command experts who will
be available to answer attendee questions as they relate to doing business with USSOCOM, an event
helpful for first-time SOFIC attendees or those who have never done business with the Command.
For the second year, a select group of entrepreneurs and innovators will present their products and
services at the Innovation Showcase to members of the SOF community.
There will also be a variety of SOF-centric panel discussions and workshops throughout the conference.
Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to hear remarks from the USSOCOM Commander and
Acquisition Executive, both of whom will provide their perspectives on SOF challenges, trends, and
capability gaps and their thoughts on how USSOCOM and other government agencies, industry partners,
and academia can work together to find shared solutions. Throughout the week, attendees will have an
opportunity to engage in discussions and question and answer sessions with USSOCOM's Component
Commanders, Program Executive Officers, and various acquisition experts across the Command.
"SOFIC provides the best opportunity to network with and engage the Special Operations Forces
community," said NDIA President and CEO Gen. Craig McKinley, USAF (Ret.). "As we seek to
maintain the edge in technology and maintain our advantage, it's important that these conversations take
place among industry, the military, academia and other stakeholders so we can work together to find the
best solutions to enhance our capabilities."
More than ten thousand attendees are expected at 2017 SOFIC and 400 companies and organizations will
display their products and services in a sold-out exhibit hall. The complete list of speakers and current
agenda for 2017 SOFIC can be viewed here……
Cape Canaveral AFS
45th Space Wing supports successful Delta IV WGS-9
launch
By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published March 18, 2017
http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1123151/45th-space-wing-supports-successful-delta-ivwgs-9-launch
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing
supported United Launch Alliance’s successful launch of the WGS-9 spacecraft aboard a ULA Delta IV
rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 here March 18, 2017, at 8:18 p.m. ET.
The Air Force has been breaking barriers since 1947 and the successful WGS-9 launch marks an
important occasion for the Wideband constellation as it is a major milestone in a 20-year multilateral
partnership.
In January 2012, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and New Zealand
signed a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding with the United States, agreeing to fund the
procurement of the ninth WGS satellite. The U.S. is responsible for funding the launch, operation and
sustainment of WGS-9. International partners will receive a proportional share of the bandwidth provided
by the WGS constellation based on financial contribution.
The WGS constellation is the highest-capacity military communications system in the U.S. Department of
Defense arsenal. WGS supports a wide variety of missions for Combatant Commanders around the world
to perform missions, from search and rescue efforts to military operations. Air Force Space Command's
Space and Missile Systems Center is the Air Force's center for acquiring and developing military space
systems.
The addition of WGS-9 to the constellation will increase speed, reliability, and effectiveness for the
warfighter, which enables the U.S. and international partners to more efficiently coordinate on missions in
the air, on land and by sea.
According to Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander and mission Launch Decision
Authority, the fourth major launch operation on the Eastern Range this year, and second successful launch
in just two and a half days, culminates many long hours and hard work by the entire mission team……
Air Force reveals plan for up to 48 launches per year
from Cape Canaveral
March 20, 2017, by Chris Gebhardt
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/03/air-force-reveals-48-launches-year-cape/
Following the successful launch of a Delta IV rocket with the WGS-9 satellite Saturday night, Brigadier
General Wayne R. Monteith and Major General David D. Thompson of the U.S. Air Force discussed the
45th Space Wing’s plan to ramp up to 48 launches per year – a feat made possible in large part due to the
introduction by SpaceX of the new Autonomous Flight Termination System and the increasing and
booming commercial launch market…..
Patrick AFB
SpaceX signs lease with Port Canaveral for booster
refurbishing
Dave Berman , FLORIDA TODAY, Published 4:36 p.m. ET March 20, 2017 | Updated 16 hours ago
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/spacex/2017/03/20/spacex-signs-lease-port-canaveralbooster-refurbishing/99402414/
SpaceX has signed a five-year lease for a warehouse and office facility at Port Canaveral, where it plans
to process, refurbish and store rocket boosters for future reuse.
The commercial space company has occupied the 53,360-square-foot former SpaceHab building on the
north side of the port since August, under a month-to-month lease, and has been renovating the facility,
located at 620 Magellan Road.
Now, with the signed lease agreement, "they can forge ahead" with their plans, Port Canaveral Chief
Executive Officer John Murray said.
The company also plans to build an adjacent 44,000-square-foot hangar on the 4-acre parcel.
Canaveral Port Authority commissioners are scheduled to vote Wednesday on the lease, which will take
effect April 1.
Avon Park
AF Global Response Force unit proves combat
readiness
03.21.2017, Story by Airman 1st Class Janiqua Robinson , Moody Air Force Base
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/227580/af-global-response-force-unit-proves-combat-readiness
AVON PARK AUXILIARY AIRFIELD, FL, UNITED STATES - An emergency situation is
heating up in an undisclosed location, as violence and hostility erupts in a rash of villages, tensions build.
The nation has no choice but to ask the U.S. Air Force for assistance.
In order to provide that assistance, the Air Force will task a unique squadron with specialized capabilities
to deploy to that location and set up a bare base, in less than 72 hours.
That’s what it means to be a Global Response Force and that’s what the 822d Base Defense Group
validated during their Mission Readiness Exercise March 2-14, at Avon Park Air Force Range, Fla.
“The point of the MRX is to validate the unit, it certifies our capabilities and gets us back on GRF status,”
said Staff Sgt. Karonja Knight, 822d BDS training NCO. “It’s important because it’s realistic and helps us
get in the right mindset before we’re eligible to deploy. Once we complete the MRX we’re on call, so if
anything happens anywhere in the world we can be called on to step in.”
The 820th Base Defense Group, which the 822d BDS falls under, is the Air Force's sole unit that houses
GRF ready squadrons. Their mission is to provide high-risk force protection and integrated base defense
for expeditionary air forces and the 822d BDS trains so they can deploy quickly and efficiently, whether
actually deploying or participating in an MRX……
Energy
Eglin Air Force Base Solar Field Hits Milestone
By: Peyton LoCicero, Posted: Mar 23, 2017 07:55 PM EDT, Updated: Mar 23, 2017 07:55 PM EDT
http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/eglin-air-force-base-solar-field-hits-milestone/679447459
Valparaiso, Fla. - Things are looking a little brighter in Okaloosa County today as the Eglin Air Force
Base solar field hits an impressive milestone.
Gulf power celebrated the half way mark of the largest solar project in terms of megawatts for the U.S.
Air Force in the world. This project spans over 240 acres.
"We're at the half way milestone of 1.5 million panels. So, that's a lot of panels and we hope to be live
and online by the middle of the summer," said spokesman for Gulf Power, Jeff Rogers.
The project will support the Department of Defense's commitment to renewable energy and help Gulf
Power's mission to provide safe, affordable and environmentally responsible energy to Northwest
Florida.
"The main impact for Northwest Florida is about 18,000 homes will be able to be powered by these solar
rays. And greater than that, it speaks to our philosophy of a balanced energy mix. What that is, is all of
the above approach: the cleaner than ever coal, natural gas, wind and now solar. You know, some of the
largest east of the Mississippi able to bring that to Northwest Florida," explained Rogers.
Not only does this project help the environment and power homes, but it has also brought jobs to the local
area…..
Defense Industry
Gen Carlisle Appointed President and CEO of NDIA
3/16/2017, NDIA Press Release
http://www.ndia.org/about/media/press-releases/2017/3/16/gen-carlisle-appointed-president-and-ceo-of-ndia
ARLINGTON, Va., March 16, 2017 The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) announced
today that Gen. Herbert J. "Hawk" Carlisle will serve as its President and Chief Executive Officer,
effective June, 2017.
"We are at a critical point for the future of national security, which requires collaboration and innovative
solutions, and Hawk is a seasoned leader who can drive the strategic dialogue that needs to continue
between the defense community and industry to ensure our warfighters continue to have the best
capabilities and best technology at their disposal," said NDIA ChairSid Ashworth. "Under Hawk's
leadership, NDIA will continue to serve as a platform that brings all perspectives to the table – from all
aspects of national security."
"I am extremely pleased that General Carlisle is my relief. I have known Hawk for several decades and he
will bring a wealth of experience and connectivity to the NDIA team," said NDIA CEO Craig
McKinley. "We have selected a very strong leader at a moment in time where NDIA is in a very strong
position to support national security."
General Carlisle most recently served as Commander, Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base.
Prior to serving as Commander at Langley, Carlisle was the Commander of Pacific Air Forces; the Air
Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command; and Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat
Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
"I am extremely excited to join such a great organization as NDIA. The importance of the work they do to
support US National Security cannot be over stated. I am truly looking forward to working with our
national defense industry, the Department of Defense and Congress to further the defense of our great
Nation," said General Carlisle……
DoD Budget
Trump's Budget Repeals Defense Sequestration, adds
$52 Billion to DoD Budget
Tony Owusu, Mar 16, 2017 9:46 AM EDT
https://www.thestreet.com/story/14047105/1/trump-s-budget-repeals-defense-sequestration-adds-52-billion-to-dodbudget.html
President Trump's 2018 proposed budget calls for an end to the defense sequester enacted by the Obama
administration in 2011, adding $52 billion to the Department of Defense's budget for an overall 2018
budget of $639 billion.
The budget proposal estimates that national defense cuts have totaled nearly $200 billion since 2013.
The budget specifically mentions the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that Lockheed Martin (LMT)
manufactures. The budget looks to expand the Air Force's capability, which the administration says is the
smallest it has been in history.
Lockheed Martin shares were unchanged in morning trading Thursday while rival Boeing (BA) shares
were up 0.5% following news Wednesday that it had won a $3.28 billion Pentagon contract to supply
Saudi Arabia with Apache helicopters…..
Defense contracts may see $27.5 billion boost in
Trump budget
Robert Levinson, March 17, 2017
https://about.bgov.com/blog/defense-contracts-may-see-27-5-billion-boost-trump-budget/
President Donald Trump is requesting a big boost to military spending in the fiscal 2018 budget
request blueprint.
Of the proposed $52.3 billion increase for the Pentagon (from the level in the fiscal 2017 continuing
resolution) about $27.5 billion will flow to contractors, while the rest will go for personnel and other
internal costs for the military, based on data compiled by Bloomberg Government.
Not all contractors will win. Trump would offset the military spending boost by taking an equivalent
amount out of the budgets of most of the other major agencies — with the exceptions of the departments
of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security, which would also get increases. Contractors for the agencies
facing cuts could see an estimated $13.9 billion in reductions, according to the data.
To estimate the effect on contractors, Bloomberg Government took the money each agency spent on
contracts in fiscal 2016 and divided that by the total amount appropriated for that agency in the same
year.
For example, the Department of Defense spent $305.2 billion on contracts out of an appropriated
discretionary budget of $580.7 billion, or about 52.3 percent of the total. Taking this percentage and
applying it to the proposed $52.3 billion budget increase for DOD produces an estimate of $27.5 billion in
new money that will probably be spent on contractors. Similarly, the EPA spent about 19.8 percent of its
budget on contracts in fiscal 2016, and its vendors could be out as much as $500 million because of
Trump’s proposed $2.5 billion in cuts to EPA.
Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corp. are likely to benefit from the additional F-35 fighter
jets Trump wants to buy, and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.’s shipbuilding business may grow as the
Navy adds more vessels. Much of the defense money will also be spent on maintenance and training,
which will benefit smaller contractors that sell goods and services in support of the military’s day-to-day
operations.
On the flip side, contractors for the State Department and other international programs could experience
some losses: About $2.8 billion of the proposed $10.9 billion in cuts to that category will fall on them…..
Democrats hammer Trump budget plan with DoD
efficiency study
By: Joe Gould, March 21, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/democrats-hammer-trump-budget-plan-with-dod-efficiency-study
WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday used a Pentagon efficiency study that claimed
$125 billion in unrealized savings to attack President Trump’s plan to fund a defense hike with domestic
cuts.
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight committee, was
among House Democrats who questioned the wisdom of Trump’s planned $54 billion defense add when,
according to the Defense Business Board study, there is huge waste in DoD’s back-office bureaucracy.
“He proposes boosting defense spending by billions of dollars,” Cummings said of Trump, “and he
proposes funding this increase by slashing dozens of critical programs that promote our national security
and our nation’s most vulnerable communities—the elderly, children, and the rural working class.”
The comments came at a House Oversight and Government Reform hearing, where Democrats decried
the Trump “America First” budget’s deep cuts to the State Department, the Environmental Protection
Agency, foreign aid and social programs. The budget outline released earlier this month is seen as
untenable in Congress and the prelude to a government shutdown—if lawmakers cannot reach a
bipartisan deal.
“They should know our national security is paramount, but the Trump administration fails to recognize
how these draconian cuts make us less safe,” said Florida Rep. Val Demings, the ranking Democrat on the
House Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Affairs……
Other Of Interest
Trump budget asks for $6 billion in HUD cuts, drops
development grants
By Jose A. DelReal, March 16
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-budget-asks-for-6-billion-in-hud-cuts-drops-developmentgrants/2017/03/15/1b157338-09a0-11e7-b77c-0047d15a24e0_story.html?utm_term=.6743b219fb77
The Trump administration will slash more than $6 billion in funding for the Department of Housing and
Urban Development and eliminate community development grants, according to a budget outline
obtained by The Washington Post.
The Office of Management and Budget’s “blueprint” for 2018 puts HUD’s funding at $40.7 billion, down
from $46.9 billion in 2017, representing a cut of 13.2 percent. The funding levels detailed in the OMB’s
blueprint closely match preliminary numbers The Post first reported last week.
Throughout the OMB budget outline, the administration emphasizes its belief that local governments
should be the ones primarily responsible for urban-development programs.
“State and local governments are better positioned to serve their communities based on local needs and
priorities,” the budget document says.
The budget proposal would eliminate funding for the Community Development Block Grant program,
which supports a wide range of urban-renewal projects and received $3 billion in funding for 2017. The
decades-old grant program has been used to fund such projects as the Lafitte Greenway in New Orleans
and to support Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts……
Army tackling task of significantly boosting its ranks
BY REBECCA KHEEL - 03/20/17 12:00 AM EDT 280
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/324593-army-tackling-task-of-significantly-boosting-its-ranks
When Congress passed its annual defense policy bill calling for the Army to boost its ranks by 16,000
more soldiers than what was planned, the service was left to work out a way to get there.
Now, the Army is in the midst of a three-pronged approach: upping recruitment, retention of soldiers and
retention of officers.
“Army developed a strategy, and the key message there is that the Army’s hiring,” Maj. Gen. Jason
Evans, director of military personnel management, said in an interview with The Hill. “One of the
challenges of this is time and really trying to turn an institution like this on a dime in a short period of
time.”
How the Army is dealing with the increase in its ranks this year could provide a window into how it
would handle the 60,000-soldier boost that President Trump has floated.
But Evans said the service has not had discussions yet about future increases, remaining focused on
achieving its goal for this year that was set by Congress.
“We have not gotten to that conversation with senior Army leaders and there has not be any conversation
about that,” he said. “Right now we’re really focused on FY17. That’s our immediate challenge right
now.”
Prior to December, the Army had planned on dropping from 475,000 to 460,000 soldiers. But the
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed into law that month called for an Army of 476,000,
tasking the Army with finding and keeping 16,000 more soldiers than it had intended……
Doolittle Institute opens its doors
By Kelly Humphrey Posted, Mar 23, 2017 at 5:08 PM, Updated Mar 23, 2017 at 5:08 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170323/doolittle-institute-opens-its-doors
Like its historic namesake, Lt. Gen. James "Jimmy" Doolittle, the Doolittle Institute is all about
innovation, technology and finding news ways to get things done.
While Doolittle is famous for leading a daring bombing raid over Tokyo in World War II, the nonprofit
organization works with the Department of Defense to connect the military and the private sector with
new technologies. On Thursday, they opened the doors to their headquarters in Fort Walton Beach to
allow one their biggest customers — Eglin Air Force Base's munitions directorate — to get a first-hand
look at how they make that happen.
"There are hundreds of scientists at Eglin, and we work with them to transfer technological innovations
from the military to the market, and vice versa," said Laurie Moncrieff, the organization's executive
director. "We also help with local workforce development, both current and future."
Toward that goal, the organization works closely with students who are interested in the STEMM
disciplines: science, technology, engineering, math and medicine. Beth Hanning, the institute's director of
STEMM education outreach, works closely with several FIRST LEGO League teams that compete at
tournaments all over the state and the country.
Participants in the league, which has been described as a "sport for the mind," use the familiar plastic
building materials to solve hands-on robotics challenges. The institute partners with several local
companies and organizations to sponsor the teams…..
March 31
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #53 will be via Conference Call / WebEx on
Thursday, 20 April 2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. FL CODEL sends letters to DOI and DoD Secretaries on Oil Drilling – On Friday,
March 24 2017, 17 members of the Florida Congressional Delegation led by Sen Nelson
sent a letter (attached) to Secretary Ryan Zinke urging the Department of Interior to
maintain the moratorium on oil drilling and exploration off of Florida’s coast citing
tourism, environmental concerns and military training as rationale. On the same day, 15
members led by Representative Neal Dunn sent a similar letter to Secretary Jim Mattis
(also attached). The Dunn letter focused exclusively on the Gulf Range complex and
incompatibility of drilling activities and military missions east of the Military Mission
Line. See articles below in the Clips.
4. Task Force requests Governor Scott support REPI match – The Task Force sent a
letter (attached) to the Governor making him aware of $3M in federal Readiness and
Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program funds that may be in jeopardy if
there is no state match to help military installations purchase conservation
lands. Traditionally, Florida Forever has been the vehicle to get match funding for
conservation land, but since it has been reduced from $300M+ in the past to about $15M
this year, installations may have a hard time competing for limited funding and lose
federal funds already allocated to their location that have time limits for
application. Additionally, reverting allocated REPI funds makes future requests less
attractive and hurts Florida’s efforts to control encroachment of our military installations
and missions.
5. Task Force Supports HB 509 – The Task Force forwarded a letter of support (attached)
for HB 509 (Senate companion is SB 1132) last week to Rep Ponder, the bill’s
sponsor. The Task Force supports this bill as it helps Florida military members better use
GI Bill or other veteran education benefits by waiving fees not covered by veterans
education programs (attached).
6. New Commander named for 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB – Brig Gen (select) Evan
Dertine, USAF, has been tapped to replace Brig Gen Chris Azzano who is headed to
Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio to lead the Air Force's newly formed Directorate of Air,
Space and Cyberspace Operations. Change of Command is scheduled for late May
2017. See article below in the Clips.
7. Roundtables in Defense of the FDA – Governor Scott held two roundtables this week in
Jacksonville (Wednesday, 29 Mar) and Tampa (Thursday, 30 Mar) to support the Florida
Defense Alliance. The focus was to discuss economic development and jobs programs,
specifically those that invest in Florida’s military and defense communities. FDA Chair
Kellie Jo Kilberg presented remarks and participated with Governor Scott at the
Jacksonville roundtable and reported that it was a good event. Lisa Monnet, President of
the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance, and Task Force member Brig Gen (ret) Chip Diehl
attended with Governor Scott at the Tampa event (articles on both events below in clips).
8. Association of Defense Communities (ADC) National Summit – ADC will hold its
National Summit June 19-21, 2017 in Washington, DC. (go to
http://www.adcsummit.org/). There will be more than 600 leaders from around the
nation (Bruce Grant and Terry McCaffrey will be attending) for an event widely
recognized as the most comprehensive look at the key issues facing defense communities
and installations, including:
 What our new defense strategy may look like and what it means for communities
 The future of the defense budget, including an in-depth look at the White House’s
FY 2018 budget proposal
 Prospects for a new BRAC round and what it might look like
 Insight from new leaders in DoD and Congress on the future of growing missions
such as unmanned aerial vehicles and cyber security.
 Key issues affecting MWR, housing and quality-of-life policies
 Briefings from top congressional leaders and staff
 The future of defense energy policy
 How joint land-use planning and conservation programs may evolve
 What’s next for partnerships
9. Military / Veteran Related Bills – Status of all Mil / Vet related bills listed by last date
of action is attached. To review or track House Bills, go to
www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both
sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if you would like review in more depth.
10. Attachments:
 Florida CODEL letter to DOI (unsigned)
 Florida CODEL letter to DoD (Dunn MML Letter)
 TF Letter to Governor Scott on REPI
 TF Letter of Support for HB 509
 Mil & Vet Friendly Bill Status
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
Gulf Range Complex
Nelson, congressional members urge Trump
administration against oil drilling off Florida
By BRUCE RITCHIE, 03/24/17 12:42 PM EDT
http://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/03/nelson-congressional-members-urge-against-oil-drilling-offflorida-110676
Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and 16 members of Florida's congressional delegation, including
Republicans and Democrats, are urging the Trump administration to keep the eastern Gulf of Mexico off
limits to oil and gas drilling.
The Interior Department announced March 6 that it will auction off 73 million acres in the Gulf of
Mexico for offshore oil and gas exploration and development, including areas off Florida. The
Washington Post reported that the proposal appears to mirror a plan offered a few months earlier under
President Barack Obama.
"If you do choose to draft a new plan, we strongly urge you to keep the eastern Gulf off limits," Nelson
and the congressional members wrote in a letter sent Friday. "Drilling in this area threatens Florida’s
multi-billion-dollar, tourism-driven economy and is incompatible with the military training and weapons
testing that occurs there."
Among those not signing the letter were U. S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican from Miami, and
Panhandle Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz of Shalimar and Neal Dunn of Panama City. A Dunn
spokeswoman said the congressman is leading a separate effort on the issue with a letter that she expects
to be sent later Friday.
On Jan. 31., the Florida Defense Support Task Force quietly issued a paper on the Gulf drilling issue.
State Rep. Clay Ingram, a Republican from Pensacola who is the task force chairman, called on Florida to
"maintain a united front in supporting an extension of the current moratorium on drilling" east of the
"military mission line" in the eastern Gulf.
Those members signing the Nelson letter are Republican U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan, Brian Mast, Francis
Rooney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Daniel Webster; and, Democratic U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Charlie
Crist, Val Demings, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson, Stephanie Murphy, Darren
Soto, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson.
Text of the letter from members of Florida's congressional delegation can be viewed here.
Florida Lawmakers Work to Protect Military’s Gulf
Test and Training Range
Rep Neal Dunn, Press Release, 27 Mar 2017
https://dunn.house.gov/media/press-releases/florida-lawmakers-work-protect-military-s-gulf-test-and-training-range
WASHINGTON, DC – Dr. Neal Dunn (FL-02) and a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers are urging
the Trump Administration to protect the Joint Gulf Range Complex by maintaining the moratorium on oil
and gas offshore drilling activities in the Gulf of Mexico. In a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis,
the lawmakers call the Joint Gulf Range Complex “an incomparable national asset” and ask for his
support for the current moratorium beyond its expiration in 2022.
“Allowing oil and gas leasing activities in the areas under moratoria will create insurmountable risks to
civilian and military personnel, military assets, and drilling infrastructure. We fear that combat training
and advanced test and evaluation missions would be unable to continue if the moratorium was lifted,” the
lawmakers say. “Prior military leaders have described the Joint Gulf Range Complex as a ‘national
treasure.’ Consequently, we respectfully seek your support for maintaining the moratorium beyond 2022
and the incomparable national asset we have in the Joint Range Complex.”
The Joint Gulf Range Complex is used for high-altitude, supersonic air combat training for frontline
fighters like the F-22 and the F-35, live-fire air-to-air and air-to-ground training, air-to-air missile testing,
electronic warfare, drone targeting, and Naval sub-surface, air-to-surface and surface-to-surface testing,
including mine and counter-mine operations. This vast range allows for hypersonic weapons testing and
space launch.
Joining Dr. Dunn on the letter are Representatives Matt Gaetz (FL-01), Ted Yoho (FL-03), John
Rutherford (FL-04), Al Lawson (FL-05), Bill Posey (FL-08), Darren Soto (FL-09), Daniel Webster (FL11), Francis Rooney (FL-19), Brian Mast (FL-18), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Dennis Ross (FL-15),
Charlie Crist (FL-13), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12).
Florida Delegation Urges Trump Administration Not
to Open Gulf to Drilling
By KEVIN DERBY, March 28, 2017 - 12:15pm
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/florida-delegation-urges-trump-administration-not-open-gulf-drilling
This week, members of the Florida congressional delegation from both parties signed off on letters to the
Trump administration, opposing expanded drilling in the Gulf.
Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Matt Gaetz, Brian Mast, Bill Posey, Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen, Francis Rooney, Dennis Ross, John Rutherford, Dan Webster and Ted Yoho and
Democrats U.S. Reps. Charlie Crist, Al Lawson and Darren Soto signed off on letters to the Pentagon and
the Interior Department making the case against oil drilling in the Gulf. At the start of March, U.S.
Interior Sec. Ryan Zinke announced that 73 million acres in the Gulf would be open to drilling for five
years starting in August.
On Monday, Buchanan said oil drilling would hurt Florida’s economy.
“Florida’s coastal communities depend on a clean and healthy ocean and we shouldn’t jeopardize the
state’s economy or environment by gambling on operations that lack adequate safeguards,” Buchanan
said.
The representatives from Florida wrote Zinke, making their case against drilling in the Gulf.
“As you begin your service as Secretary of the Interior, we are writing to convey our strong opposition to
offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” they wrote. “Drilling in this area threatens Florida’s
multi-billion-dollar, tourism-driven economy and is incompatible with the military training and weapons
testing that occurs there. In 2006, Congress passed the Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act (P.L.
109-432), which created a moratorium on drilling in most of the eastern Gulf of Mexico – including all
areas east of the Military Mission Line.
“It’s been nearly seven years since the Deepwater Horizon explosion fifty miles off the coast of Louisiana
claimed the lives of eleven men and ruined an entire tourism season for the Gulf states,” they added. “And
we still don’t know the full extent of the damage done to marine life such as dolphins and sea turtles. This
tragedy was a painful reminder that Florida’s beaches and economy are at risk even when oil rigs are
hundreds of miles away from its shores.
“In addition to its economic value, the eastern Gulf of Mexico provides a critical testing and training
range for our nation’s military – the largest such training area in the United States. For example, pilots at
Eglin Air Force Base in Pensacola, Florida, use the open space to train with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
jets,” they continued. “In 2015, the Department of Defense reiterated its opposition to offshore drilling
activities in this vital training area. As a former Navy SEAL, you understand the importance of ensuring
that the men and women of our armed forces have access to the best training opportunities available.
“We expect that as our nation’s newest Interior Secretary you will follow both the letter and the spirit of
the law that currently bans drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and we strongly urge you to heed the
recommendations of the Department of Defense and coastal communities by keeping offshore drilling
rigs out of the area,” the representatives wrote in conclusion.
The representatives from Florida also wrote U.S. Defense Sec. James Mattis, insisting the Joint Gulf
Range Complex, which they presented as “an incomparable national asset,” would be undermined by
drilling in the Gulf and maintaining that national defense could be compromised…..
BRAC
Military Funding Cuts Threaten Panhandle
By DAVE DUNWOODY • MAR 28, 2017, CREDIT WWW.DEFENSE.GOV
HTTP://WUWF.ORG/POST/MILITARY-FUNDING-CUTS-THREATEN-PANHANDLE
Officials across military-friendly northwest Florida are watching the Pentagon closely once again, now
that there’s renewed talk about another round of base closures and mission realignments.
Appearing before the House Armed Services Committee last month, several top military officials
supported another round of BRAC: Base Realignment and Closure. Among them was General Stephen
Wilson, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
“We think we have about 25 percent excess capacity at our bases,” said Wilson. “BRAC would help us
to do smart investment of the bases preparing for the future. And we can take the money we’re spending
on the excess infrastructure and put that back into solving some of our fiscal problems.”
BRAC has reared its head six times since 1988, and Naval Air Station Pensacola has been impacted by
two of them. The base lost its Aviation Depot in 1993; and in 2003 the Naval Air Basic Training
Command moved to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. It was replaced in Pensacola by NET-C, the Naval
Education and Training Command.
“I expect a BRAC to occur during Donald Trump’s presidency,” said Congressman Matt Gaetz, a
Republican from Fort Walton Beach who is a member of House Armed Services Committee.
“I don’t think that it’s all that productive to wring our hands about the fears of BRAC,” Gaetz said. “I
think we should be preparing right now to win BRAC and to attract mission to northwest Florida. And to
have even more military activity contributing to our economy and to the nation’s defense.”
Gaetz says with the military's needs to operate more efficiently very evident, Northwest Florida must not
let the impending round of base closings hinder the region's preparation for it….
NAS Whiting Field
Aperauch takes Training Squadron TWO's reins
By Jay Cope | NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs, Posted Mar 27, 2017 at 11:34 AMUpdated
Mar 27, 2017 at 11:34 AM
http://www.srpressgazette.com/news/20170327/aperauch-takes-training-squadron-twos-reins
Cmdr. Joseph McGilley, USCG, has turned over command of Training Squadron TWO (VT-2) to Cmdr.
Zachariah Aperauch, USN. The transition occurred during a March 24 Change of Command ceremony in
the Naval Air Station Whiting Field North Field hangar.
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Capt. William D. Cameron served as guest speaker for the traditional event,
which allows for assembled crew, staff, friends and guests to welcome the new commander while also
recognizing the outgoing leader's achievements.
McGilley's leadership led VT-2 to fly more than 30,000 flight hours in the completion of more than
18,800 sorties. This dedication to training enabled the squadron to complete 350 Student Aviators through
the Primary Flight Training syllabus during his command tour.
"His unwavering commitment to professionalism and instruction were evidenced in the unit's selection for
the chief of Naval Air Training's 2014 Training Excellence Award, the 2015 Commander Theodore G.
Ellyson Aviator Production Excellence Award, and a grade of 'Outstanding' on the 2016 Chief of Naval
Air Training Flight Instructor Standardization inspection," a Whiting Field media release states.
Commanding VT-2 was the latest stop on a 20-year military aviation career that began in March 1997 in
Pensacola and Milton with his primary flight training with VT-2…..
Eglin AFB
Gaetz, Rubio may file legislation to reopen Navarre
Pass
By Wendy Victora and Tom McLaughlin, Northwest Florida Daily News, Posted Mar 24, 2017 at 4:43 PM, Updated
Mar 24, 2017 at 4:46 PM
http://www.srpressgazette.com/news/20170324/gaetz-rubio-may-file-legislation-to-reopen-navarre-pass
NAVARRE BEACH — As talk swirls again about the possibility of reopening the Navarre Pass, officials
at Eglin Air Force Base have repeated their concerns about it. Cutting a navigational channel into Santa
Rosa Island would negatively impact Eglin's mission, according to a statement from the base.
"A significant increase in boat traffic around the pass could seriously restrict our test and training
activities currently conducted at our sites on (Santa Rosa Island)," the statement read.
But that's not enough to keep freshman Congressman Matt Gaetz from floating the idea and meeting with
residents to gauge community interest.
He and U.S. Sen Marco Rubio are considering filing legislation to create a Navarre Pass.
Input from Eglin, the Navarre community and local governments will be gathered before any decision is
made to move forward with the bill, Gaetz said.
"I'm also eager to learn about the positive environmental impacts" a Navarre Pass could provide, Gaetz
said. "A credible argument" could be made that a pass could help flush out Santa Rosa Sound, he said.
Gaetz said he sees a Navarre Pass as "a billion dollar investment in Northwest Florida" with the potential
of creating "thousands of jobs."
Navarre is closer to the outer layer of the continental shelf than either of the nearby harbors at Destin or
Pensacola, which would the establishment of a fishing fleet there an attractive option, Gaetz said. He said
he could also see jobs being created in the recreation and tourism industries.
The Air Force controls the stretch of Santa Rosa Island between Navarre Beach and Okaloosa Island….
New commander named for 96th Test Wing
By KELLY HUMPHREY, Posted Mar 28, 2017 at 4:39 PM Updated Mar 28, 2017 at 4:39 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170328/new-commander-named-for-96th-test-wing
EGLIN AFB — A familiar face will soon take command of the 96th Test Wing.
Brig. Gen. (select) Evan Dertien has been tapped to replace current test wing
commander Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano, who has been assigned to head the Air
Force's newly formed Directorate of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations at WrightPatterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The two men are essentially swapping bases because
Dertien now serves as the vice commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at
Wright-Patterson.
"There is no specific date set yet, but we expect the change of command to occur
sometime in late May," said Sharon Branick, the chief of media at the 96th Test Wing.
According to his official Air Force biography, Dertien received his commission from the United States
Air Force Academy in June 1993. After attending Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, he served as an
operational F-15 pilot and completed three combat deployments. He then served as an F-15 instructor
pilot and was selected to attend U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.
Dertien is no stranger to Northwest Florida. From June 2002 to August 2003, he served as an F-16/F-15
test pilot with Eglin's 40th Flight Test Squadron. He returned later to serve as that squadron's commander
from July 2008 to June 2010. He also served two tours of duty at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama
City.
Dertien is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours and more than 180 combat hours.
NAS Jacksonville
CNRSE hosts Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor
Family Symposium, Transition Resource Fair
By Suzanne Speight, Wed, 03/29/2017 - 10:25am
http://jaxairnews.jacksonville.com/military-jax-air-news/2017-03-29/story/cnrse-hosts-navy-wounded-warrior-safeharbor-family-symposium#.WN0G0G_yvIU
Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs – Navy Region Southeast hosted two days of Navy Wounded
Warrior-Safe Harbor (NWW) events at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, starting with a Family Symposium
and Resource Fair on March 23, followed by athletic and recreation activities on March 24.
NWW program participants from around the Southeast region attended the events, sharing their stories,
learning about resources and enjoying the bonds of camaraderie with other military personnel who share
similar circumstances.
The NWW program provides more than 4,000 Sailors and Coast Guardsmen and their families with nonmedical assistance while they recover from serious illness or injury.
“We have found that bringing enrollees and their caregivers together is the best way to identify best
practices and deficiencies in the NWW program,” said Susan Hieb, director of family programs at
Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC).
“At the symposiums, we are able to hear directly from program participants about their successes and
challenges,” she said. The program is a department of Fleet and Family Readiness within CNIC.
The symposium kicked off with welcoming remarks from Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, commander, Navy
Region Southeast. Bolivar thanked everyone who had a role in putting on the events, and said the region
is committed to the long-term success of the NWW program….
Cape Canaveral AFS
SPACE FLORIDA VECTOR R-ING IN ON NEW
LAUNCH PROVIDER FROM CAPE CANAVERAL
JASON RHIAN, MARCH 25TH, 2017
HTTP://WWW.SPACEFLIGHTINSIDER.COM/MISSIONS/COMMERCIAL/SPACE-FLORIDA-VECTOR-RING-NEW-LAUNCH-PROVIDER-CAPE-CANAVERAL/
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space Florida and Vector Space Systems, a company with roots deep in
the NewSpace movement, unveiled their Vector-R rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space
Launch Complex 46 (SLC-46) on Saturday, March 25, 2017.
In attendance for today’s event was Space Florida’s President Frank DiBello (the CEO and Co-Founder
of Vector Space Systems), Jim Cantrell, as well as Therrin Protze, the chief operating officer (COO) of
the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. As it turned out, Protze had news of his own to announce.
Space Florida’s President Frank DiBello speaks during Saturday’s event. Photo Credit: Vikash Mahadeo /
SpaceFlight Insider
Vector-R will go on display at the Visitor Complex starting on Monday, March 27, as part of the “NASA
Now” exhibit. For today, however, the rocket was erected at the Cape’s SLC-46.
Vector will share SLC-46 with Dulles, Virginia-based Orbital ATK who plans to conduct launches of
their Minotaur solid rocket booster from the site as well.
The Vector family of rockets currently consists of the Vector R (Rapid) and Vector H (Heavy) launchers.
The Vector-R is described as being able to launch approximately 110 pounds (50 kilograms) to orbit. The
Vector-H, meanwhile, is designed to be able to send 220 pounds (100 kilograms) to orbit. Vector-H has
been developed so as to be a block upgrade to the Vector-R.
The Chief Operating Officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Therrin Protze, details how
the Vector-R rocket will be a part of the NASA Now display starting on Monday, March 27. Photo
Credit: Vikash Mahadeo / SpaceFlight Insider
As the weights that these rockets are capable of sending to orbit suggest, Vector is designed to loft microspacecraft, and Vector Space Systems is currently marketing toward smaller, commercial companies……
$18.6 million project begins on Cape
By Heidi Hunt 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published March 27, 2017
http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1130459/186-million-project-begins-on-cape
CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. – The 45th Space Wing’s communication
capabilities took a giant step forward with the groundbreaking of the new Range Communications Facility
March 16, 2017.
A ceremony was held to signify the start of construction for the Eastern Range’s $18.6 million project,
which will replace the former XY communications building, and serve as the new work center for the
space launch program for decades to come.
“It is an exciting time to be at the 45th Space Wing as we continue to break barriers and new ground for
the next generation of range communications,” said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing
commander.
The new 32,314-square-foot communications facility will be constructed in the industrial area and will
directly support range operations.
In addition to replacing aging equipment and infrastructure, the upgraded building will also resolve other
issues, which plagued the old facility to include problems caused by flooding.
“The new facility will alleviate concerns we have every hurricane season resolving structural, mechanical
and fire protection problems that the building has experienced over the years. The upgraded facility will
now comply with all electrical and telecommunications requirements,” said Robert Elliott, 45th Civil
Engineer Squadron project manager……
SpaceX successfully launches satellite in historic flight with
"used" booster
By WILLIAM HARWOOD CBS NEWS March 30, 2017, 9:32 PM
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launches-comsat-in-historic-flight-with-used-booster/
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket roared to life and streaked away through a
twilight sky Thursday, boosting an SES communications satellite into orbit in the first fight of
a previously flown first stage, a convincing validation of company founder Elon Musk’s drive to lower
launch costs by recovering, refurbishing and re-launching rocket stages.
Launched last April to help lift a space station-bound cargo ship into orbit, the first stage’s nine Merlin
1D engines fired up at 6:27 p.m. EDT (GMT-5) and appeared to perform flawlessly during their second
fight, propelling the rocket out of the dense lower atmosphere before falling away to attempt its second
landing on an off-shore droneship.
Homestead ARB
Exercise Iniohos 17 kicks off in Greece
03.27.2017, Story by Capt. Robert Ho ward , Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air
Forces Africa
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/228125/exercise -iniohos-17-kicks-off-greece
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany--Twelve F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 482nd Fighter Wing,
Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., and approximately 220 support personnel will participate in exercise
Iniohos 17 at Andravida Air Base, Greece, from March 27 to April 6, 2017.
Iniohos 17 is a Hellenic Air Force-led, large force, flying exercise between NATO Allies and partner
nations.
Multinational training engagements such as these strengthen our relationships, maintain joint readiness
and interoperability, and reassure our regional Allies and partners…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman to do local
work on F-35, Advanced Hawkeye
Matthew Richardson, Reporter, Orlando Business Journal, Mar 27, 2017, 10:29am EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/03/27/lockheed-martin-northrop-grumman-to-do-local-work.html
Two big defense firms landed contracts on March 24 to perform services on military-grade aircraft, and a
large part of work will take place in Central Florida.
Falls Church, Va.-based Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) won a $32.7 million contract to
perform software support activity for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. More than half of the work
will take place at Northrop Grumman's aerospace systems location in Melbourne. Work also will take
place in nine other locations throughout the U.S. The contract has a March 2018 completion date.
Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) won a $10.4 million contract to perform a
risk reduction and integration study for the F-35 stealth aircraft. Part of the work is taking place in
Orlando, where Lockheed Martin has nearly 7,000 employees, but most of the work will take place at
Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas location. The contract has a March 2020 completion date….
….Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman often scoop up big contracts with local work, leading to
more job creation and business for parts and service providers in the area.
Military contracts contribute to the local economy in the form of jobs and subcontractor opportunities,
and Central Florida is a major player when it comes to defense contracts. The region snags about $4
billion in government contracts each year because the nation’s Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines
simulation operations are based in Central Florida Research Park. That work helps make Orlando the
modeling, simulation and training capital of the world, according to the Orlando Economic Development
Commission.
South Florida software company lands $17M
government contract
Debora Lima, Reporter, South Florida Business Journal, Mar 29, 2017, 11:27am EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2017/03/29/south-florida-software-company-lands-17m.html
A local mobile aviations solutions provider has landed a $17 million contract with an agency of the
United States Department of Defense.
Coral Springs-based Hilton Software has been tapped to provide the National Geospatial-Intelligence
Agency, a combat support agency under the DOD, multi-platform mobile aeronautical solutions. The
contract has a total anticipated period of performance of five years.
NGA posted a draft statement of work in advance of its solicitation of an “Aeronautical Mobile
Application” on Aug. 31, according to a trade publication.
Hilton is a United States Department of Defense prime contractor.
"We are honored to have won the AMA Award to continue to develop multi-platform software solutions
and provide data services to the warfighter," said Hilton Software founder and CEO Hilton Goldstein.
Other Of Interest
Veteran Employment Bill Passes Senate
Daily Press, Victorville, Calif. | 28 Mar 2017
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/03/28/veteran-employment-bill-passessenate.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%203.29.17&utm_term=Editorial%2
0-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Paul Cook, R-Apple Valley, announced Monday that the U.S. Senate has passed
his bill, HR 244, the Hire Vets Act of 2017.
The bill already passed the House of Representatives in February. Cook had reintroduced this bipartisan
bill earlier this year. It was introduced last Congress and passed the House with unanimous support, but
was unable to pass the Senate before the end of the year. The bill now heads back to the House for final
passage as the Senate made minor technical changes to it.
This legislation would promote private sector recruiting, hiring and retaining of men and women who
served honorably in the U.S. military through a voluntary and effective program, according to Cook's
office.
Specifically, it would create an awards program recognizing the meaningful and verifiable efforts
undertaken by employers to hire and retain veterans. The program is designed to be self-funded.
"The HIRE Vets Act is an opportunity for Americans to see which companies truly live up to the
employment promises they make to veterans," Cook said. "Veterans who serve this country honorably
shouldn't struggle to find employment, and this bill creates an innovative system to encourage and
recognize employers who make veterans a priority in their hiring practices…..
State House to keep funding for military students
By TOM McLAUGHLIN, Posted Mar 29, 2017 at 6:29 PM, Updated Mar 29, 2017 at 6:29 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170329/state-house-to-keep-funding-for-military-students
In the face of resistance from lawmakers in Northwest Florida and other areas with a large military
presence, state House leaders have backed off the idea of eliminating education funding for students
whose parents serve in the armed forces.
"I'm very pleased at how quickly the Northwest Florida delegation pulled together on this issue," said
Okaloosa County School District spokesman Henry Kelly, who participated in behind-the-scenes
negotiations to save the annual appropriation.
Okaloosa County School Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson began rallying support to fight
for the $12.1 million Federally Connected Students Supplement last week after word reached her about
the House leadership's plans.
The money is allocated in two categories; first to assist in helping students of military families with things
like counseling when parents deploy, and second, to offset property tax dollars that go uncollected due to
the presence of military installations.
Northwest Florida counties, where the military presence is pervasive, receive $6.1 million of the total
allocation. Okaloosa County receives $2.37 million and Santa Rosa County $1.17 million. Bay and
Escambia counties also receive funds.
Brevard County, with a huge military and space industry presence, receives $2.5 million in supplement
dollars, the most of any county in Florida.
Jackson said state Rep. Mel Ponder and state Sens. George Gainer and Doug Broxson took the lead
among Northwest Florida lawmakers in pushing for reconsideration of the plan to eliminate the funds.
She also said an out-of-state organization, Home Front Progressives, offered its assistance in the lobbying
effort……
F-15 retirement likely not a possibility until 2020s, Air
Force officials say
By: Valerie Insinna, March 29, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/f-15c-d-retirement-likely-not-a-possibility-until-2020s-officialssay?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%203.30.17&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
WASHINGTON — The Air Force general who oversees long-term strategy downplayed the potential
retirement of its F-15C/D Eagle fleet — an idea the service is considering but has not yet approved.
“We intend to maintain the F-15C fleet through the 2020s,” Lt. Gen. Jerry Harris, deputy chief of staff for
strategic plans, programs and requirements, told reporters after a congressional panel.
The proposed F-15C/D retirement first became public after Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., asked Lt. Gen. Scott
Rice, director of the Air National Guard, about it during a hearing last week. Rice confirmed that the
service was indeed considering replacing its F-15Cs and Ds with F-16s, although the Air Force would
retain its inventory of F-15E Strike Eagles.
At the current time, Harris said the Air Force does not plan on retiring the first F-15C or D until at least
2020, although officials noted that its retirement has not been written in stone and could change on a yearto-year basis.
Harris pointed to two factors that could drive the F-15’s exit: an increasingly high-end threat environment
— where fourth-generation platforms like the Eagle may not prove as effective — and the age of the
aircraft. which is nearing the end of its service life.
“Most of these [F-15C/Ds] were designed in the late '60s and '70s and are not appropriate for the threat
that we have,” he said. “I would expect that most airplanes that have service life we would continue to fly
until they're done with that. The F-15C/D fleet times out in the mid 2020s. The F-16s, we have additional
service life that is available, same with our F-15E fleet and some of our A-10s."
The decision could also be partially driven by how quickly the Air Force can acquire the F-35, Harris
added. The service has made increasing its buy rate to 60 F-35As a year a priority, and may be loath to
retire the F-15C/D unless it has a sufficient number of joint strike fighters…..
Governor says Enterprise Florida supports military
bases
By News4Jax.com Staff, Posted: 6:17 PM, March 29, 2017Updated: 6:18 PM, March 29, 2017
http://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/governor-says-enterprise-florida-supports-military-bases
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Gov. Rick Scott's campaign to save Enterprise Florida is drawing on the
support of Florida's military community.
The Florida House has voted to eliminate Enterprise Florida, the state's economic-development agency.
There is no companion bill pending in the Senate.
At a meeting Wednesday at the National Guard headquarters at Cecil Commerce Center, on Jacksonville's
Westside, Scott said Florida’s military community totals $79 billion of economic impact and accounts for
almost 775,000 jobs.
Scott said that Enterprise Florida has given millions of dollars in infrastructure and reinvestment grants to
the state's the military bases over the last 18 years. Last month, the Florida Defense Support Task Force
announced a $400,000 grant to the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center.
Gov. Rick Scott in Tampa touts Enterprise Florida's
impact on defense industry
Steve Contorno, Times Staff Writer, Thursday, March 30, 2017 11:27am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/gov-rick-scott-in-tampa-touts-enterprise-floridas-impact-ondefense/2318540
TAMPA — Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday continued his campaign to save the state's business incentive
program, Enterprise Florida, this time touting its impact on Tampa Bay's defense community.
Meeting with local defense contractors and veteran small business owners at Tampa's VFW, Scott
chastised House Republicans for voting to kill off Enterprise Florida and called out by name local
lawmakers who joined House Speaker Richard Corcoran's crusade against taxpayer-funded economic
incentives.
Scott said those actions threaten MacDill Air Force Base and the jobs that support it and the families of
the men and women who work on the base. Enterprise Florida helps pay for the Florida Defense Alliance,
an organization that advocates for the state's military bases in the face of potential federal cuts.
"It's important to our country to help our military meet their mission," Scott said, "But it's also important
for creating jobs in the state."
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a Democrat, joined the Republican governor in encouraging local defense
contractors, veterans and businesses that hire and support veterans and military spouses to contact
lawmakers in support of Enterprise Florida.
"This is not a partisan issue," Buckhorn said. "This is an issue about the welfare of our community."
Lawmakers interrogate US Air Force secretary
nominee over ethics concerns
By: Valerie Insinna and Joe Gould, March 30, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/senate-panel-interrogates-air-force-secretary-nominee-about-ethicsconcerns?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DFN%20DNR%203/30/17&utm_ter
m=Editorial%20-%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
WASHINGTON — During a Thursday confirmation hearing, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Air Force
secretary nominee came under fire about her work for government nuclear labs, including allegations that
she had lobbied illegally and received pay with no record of work.
Heather Wilson, a former Republican congresswoman who is currently the president at South Dakota
School of Mines and Technology, denied all assertions that she had broken ethics rules, although she
largely evaded queries on why she had not retained a record of her work at Sandia National Laboratories,
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Nevada National Security Site.
The Senate Armed Services Committee' two top officials — committee chairman John McCain, R-Ariz.,
and ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I. — grilled Wilson at the onset of the hearing, at times aggressively
questioning her about her former employment. However, members generally voiced support for her
nomination, signaling that she will ultimately be confirmed.
Throughout the hearing, Wilson maintained that she was not disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics nor
was she investigated or charged as a result of her consulting work…..
April 7
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #53 will be via Conference Call / WebEx on
Thursday, 20 April 2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Two New Task Force Members – We are happy to announce that Governor Scott
appointed Ms. Amy Gowder to the FDSTF on 31 March 2017 (appointment letter
attached). Ms. Gowder brings a wealth of experience in aerospace and logistics in the
defense aerospace industry and currently serves as the Vice President and General
Manager, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS), Training and Logistics
Solutions, out of the company’s Orlando facility (see attached bio). Senate President Joe
Negron appointed Mr. William Dudley on 6 April 2017 (appointment letter
attached). Mr. Dudley, who resides in St Augustine, is a veteran of the USAF and has
extensive experience in the aerospace industry. Since his retirement, Mr. Dudley has also
served as national vice president of the National Navy League, president of the Navy
League for St. Augustine and Palm Coast Council and chairman of the St. Johns County
Veterans Council. Please do not hesitate to welcome Ms. Gowder and Mr. Dudley to the
Task Force. Staff continues work to fill our other three vacancies as soon as possible.
4. New REPI Report Released – According to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of
Defense , “We are pleased to announce that the 2017 REPI Report to Congress is now
available (attached) on the REPI Program website, (www.REPI.mil). The Report
summarizes and reviews the achievements of the Program through Fiscal Year 2016: in
its 14-year lifespan, the REPI Program has protected 464,668 acres in 89 locations across
30 states.” Visit the REPI website for more useful information on upcoming programs.
5. USA4 Military Families Issues Annual Assessment – The Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Child & Family Programs (MC&FP) has
released its annual assessment of states against their top 10 issues. According to the
website, “USA4 Military Families initiative, seeking to engage and educate state
policymakers, not-for-profit associations, concerned business interests and other state
leaders about the needs of military members and their families.” You can view their
Florida assessment at
http://www.usa4militaryfamilies.dod.mil/MOS/f?p=USA4:HOME:0::::P1_STATE:FL
6. Military / Veteran Related Bills – Status of all Mil / Vet related bills listed by last date
of action is attached. To review or track House Bills, go to
www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both
sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if you would like review in more depth.
7. Attachments:
 Amy Gowder Appointment and BIO
 2017 REPI Report
 Mil & Vet Friendly Bill Status
 TPG Bi-weekly Conference Call Memo
 TPG Monthly Report
 Military / Veteran Legislation Status
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
FDA
House Weakens Support for Florida Military Bases
By Kellie Joe Kilberg Chairperson, Florida Defense Alliance | Posted: Friday, March 31, 2017 10:02 am
http://www.southdadenewsleader.com/opinion/house-weakens-support-for-florida-military-bases/article_9ef976be161a-11e7-9769-43cddcf1459f.html
In a recent article in the Tampa Bay Times, Representative Renner stated that HB 7005, which dismantles
Florida’s economic development programs, did not eliminate any military programs and that the Florida
Defense Alliance is redundant with existing programs, making it unnecessary. This is untrue and these
politicians are misguided in their actions.
FDA has a highly successful 19-year history and continues to leverage defense community resources and
thousands of volunteer hours for the benefit of Florida’s military installations, missions and ranges.
In addition, FDA members support more than 60,000 military members, defense civilians and their
families, contributing to Florida’s national reputation as one of the most defense-friendly states in the
nation.
But perhaps the most important benefit to the FDA is their ability to protect Florida bases from
elimination under federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions. You see, the FDA was formed
in 1998 with a mission to strengthen the bases and bolster community support in the wake of the loss of
the Orlando Naval Training Center during the 1993 BRAC and in the1995 BRAC Naval Cecil Field in
Jacksonville. The FDA began two grant programs that exists to this day to preserve and protect military
installations against future rounds of BRACs. With Congress poised to announce another BRAC as soon
as 2019, we need FDA more than ever…..
Military supporters fight for Florida Defense Alliance
By TOM McLAUGHLIN, Posted Apr 3, 2017 at 6:30 PM, Updated Apr 3, 2017 at 6:30 PM
http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/news/20170403/military-supporters-fight-for-florida-defense-alliance
If the state House has its way, Enterprise Florida will cease to exist in the next couple of months, and the
Florida Defense Alliance will follow it into oblivion.
The Defense Alliance, the parent organization for county or regional Defense Alliances across the state,
prides itself on work it has done to protect the state’s 20 military bases from encroachment and possible
closure.
House leaders, though, say the agency is expendable, as its task is basically the same as the one
performed by the Florida Defense Support Task Force.
“The Florida Defense alliance was eliminated in HB 7005 because it’s redundant and all its functions are
currently being done, and then some, by the Florida Defense Support Task Force,” Fred Piccolo,
spokesman for Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran, said in an email.
Alliance officials and members of Northwest Florida organizations that work with it disagree with the
redundancy argument put forth by House leadership.
Former Florida Defense Support Task Force Chairman David Goetsch said Corcoran and his cohorts
don’t know what they’re talking about.
“Thinking they’re redundant shows the Speaker doesn’t understand the roles of the two organizations,”
Goetsch said. “That’s not surprising, the Speaker doesn’t seem to understand a lot of things.”
Goetsch compared the differences between the Florida Defense Alliance and the Florida Defense Support
Task Force to those of a Chamber of Commerce and an Economic Development Counsel. The EDC
recruits big new industries, while the Chamber protects the smaller existing ones, he said.
“The Florida Defense Alliance is the state organization at the head of “a bunch of county organizations”
Goetsch said. “The Task Force has a strong presence in Washington D.C., employing a full-time lobbyist
to keep the state appraised of things like BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). It works with the
Florida Legislature to make Florida a more defense friendly state.”
Goetsch said the roles of the Defense Alliance and the Defense Support Task Force “overlap” in areas
where the task force would take an issue at a particular base to Washington on the Defense Alliance’s
behalf…….
NAS Pensacola
Navy grounds all T-45 training jets after instructors
refuse to fly
By: David B. Larter, April 5, 2017
https://www.navytimes.com/articles/navy-grounds-all-t-45-training-jets-after-instructors-refuse-tofly?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%204.6.17&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
The Navy has grounded all its T-45 training jets for two days in the wake of a report that instructor pilots
in the Navy’s training squadrons are refusing to fly the jet because of a dangerous rise in problems with
the cockpit oxygen system.
Dozens of instructor pilots have refused to fly the T-45 in recent days because of a spike in dangerous
physical symptoms suffered by pilots flying the aircraft triggered by a lack of oxygen or contaminants in
the oxygen system, according to a Fox News report Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Naval Air Forces confirmed the grounding and that about 40 percent of the T-45
training flights were canceled due to pilot concerns.
“We take the concerns of our aircrew seriously and have directed a two-day safety pause for the T-45
community to allow time for Naval Aviation leadership to engage with the pilots, hear their concerns and
discuss the risk mitigations as well as the efforts that are ongoing to correct this issue,” said Cmdr.
Jeannie Groeneveld in an email.
Groeneveld said the jets were not "grounded" in the traditional sense of the word, but that they were not
flying the jets while leadership meets with the pilots and conduct a safety stand-down. AIRFOR expects
the jets to be flying again on Monday, she said.
The Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Adm. Dell Bull dispatched a crew of engineers to the Navy’s pilot
training base in Meridian, Miss. to brief the pilots and address the problem, Groeneveld said.
Pilots who spoke to Fox News complained about Bull’s handling of their grievances.
“He is telling us to just ‘shut up and color,’” an unnamed pilot told Fox. Officials who spoke to Fox
acknowledged the communication problems on the issue up and down the chain of command……
Congressman Gaetz Comments on Training Flights at
NAS Pensacola
Press Release, April 5, 2017
https://gaetz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gaetz-comments-training-flights-nas-pensacola
WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday, March 31, 2017, military training flights at Naval Air Station
Pensacola were canceled due to pilots’ concerns about equipment malfunctions. Congressman Matt Gaetz
(R-FL-01) issued the following statement in response:
“Pilots in the United States military should never have to worry about oxygen supply while training or in
combat. As a member of the Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee of the House Armed Services
Committee, I will be traveling to Naval Air Station Pensacola next week to meet with command staff,
flight instructors and pilots to fully assess potential malfunctions to aircraft oxygenators following the
cancellation of training flights on Friday. Initial reports indicate potential problems with the T-45, F-18
and F-22 aircraft oxygen systems. The consequences of under-funding and over-stretching our military
continue to be felt in Northwest Florida. This is why I am fighting in Congress to significantly increase
military spending. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to military readiness and training funding
failures. Our nation, our brave men and women in uniform, and their families deserve nothing less than
our total commitment to their well-being.”
Hurlburt Field
CSAF focus group visits Hurlburt Field
By 2nd Lt. Kayshel Trudell, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published April 03, 2017
http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/4891/Article/1139186/csaf-focus-group-visits-hurlburtfield.aspx
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – A focus group team for Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David L. Goldfein,
conducted interviews, led group discussions and facilitated large-group working sessions during a visit
here, March 27 - 30.
The visit was one of a series of field visits to installations across the Air Force as part of the CSAF Focus
Area #1 effort, Revitalizing Air Force Squadrons, to build better squadrons, Airmen and warfighting
capabilities.
“I believe it is at the squadron level where we succeed or fail as an Air Force,” Goldfein said. “It’s where
Airmen are developed, where Airmen and families thrive and where training and innovation occurs. I
believe it’s where we make the most difference as leaders.”
An open session forum was held Wednesday for active duty, guard, reserve, civilian and spouses. The
goal of the session was to find solutions related to topics such as high operations tempo, work-life balance
and support for families. These focus areas were derived from the Air Force Squadron Revitalization
Survey conducted in January 2017…..
Camp Blanding
Seventy-five years later, World War II veteran
honored
Meryl Kornfield, Staff Writer, 4/3/2017
http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_473d6f2c-18e3-11e7-a8c6-dfbef8c02d30.html
Seventy-five years after enlisting in the U.S. Army, Charles Moloney Sr. was honored for his service on
Friday.
Moloney, a 95-year-old Gainesville resident who served as an airplane mechanic in World War II, joined
the Army about four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
It was his duty as an American, he reasoned.
But it wasn’t until Friday that his five years in the Army — time spent in China, Burma and India — were
officially recognized, with Rep. Ted Yoho handing him award after award, along with an American flag
that had flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., during a ceremony in Starke, Florida.
“I get a little choked up when I think of the price these people paid for our liberties and freedoms,” said
Yoho, a Republican serving North Central Florida’s congressional district. “It’s amazing that you have
people willing to serve our nation in that capacity.”
About 50 service members, friends and family sat at the entrance of Camp Blanding in Starke, the site of
the former Army base where Maloney enlisted in April 1942….
MacDill AFB
U.S. strike against Syria planned by CentCom
commanders at MacDill Air Force Base
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Friday, April 7, 2017 6:00am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/us-strike-against-syria-planned-by-centcom-commanders-atmacdill-air-force/2319499
TAMPA — U.S. Central Command planned Thursday night's U.S. military air strike against Syria from
its headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base, according to a spokesman.
Two Navy vessels fired a total of 59 Tomahawk missiles at the Syrian government airbase in Shayrat
airbase, outside the west central city of Homs, said Air Force Col. John Thomas, a spokesman for
CentCom.
Syrian fighter aircraft, fuel storage and ammunition dumps were the targets, he told the Tampa Bay
Times.
"We did not target anything we thought to be chemical weapons, for obvious reasons," Thomas said. "We
did not target any Russians or Russian facilities on the base."
But the U.S. did warn Russian military forces about the impending strike through the usual
communications channels, Thomas said, which are used to avoid conflict.
Neither Syrian officials, nor any forces aligned against them, were given any warning.
From his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, President Trump told the nation that he ordered the air strikes
in response to the government of Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad killing more than 80 civilians in a
chemical weapons attack this week.
Homestead AFB
Florida House Action Threatens Future of Homestead
Air Reserve Base
By Bob Jensen, Posted: Friday, March 31, 2017 10:00 am
http://www.southdadenewsleader.com/opinion/florida-house-action-threatens-future-of-homestead-air-reservebase/article_6271d7ea-161a-11e7-bf99-07d8e7b3cfde.html
The Florida House just recently voted to disband Enterprise Florida – Florida's economic development
organization. Along the way they are throwing out the baby with the water. The Florida Defense Alliance
will cease to exist if this action is carried out, unless the governor somehow preserves it in another form.
And some House members have questioned the value of the Defense Alliance.
The Florida Defense Alliance is a grass roots consortium of representatives of defense-related
organizations including federal, state and local government as well as defense industry, economic
development organizations and other interested parties.
Some FDA tasks are 1) to foster federal military presence in Florida; 2) expand defense-related industries,
3) ensure all military members and their families receive continual improvement in their quality of life, 4)
preserve military areas to guarantee future availability for Armed Forces operations in Florida and 5)
ensure readiness of Armed Forces operations in Florida.
Other states with large military populations and bases are equally involved in preserving their bases and it
is doubtful that they are reducing their capabilities at this critical time.
With the threat of military base closures on the horizon this action could not come at a worse time.
Homestead Air Reserve Base units provide security for our area in many forms and are an integral part of
the southeast Department of Defense team. Two units provide security for the President when he is in
Florida which is often.
In the past the Florida legislature has been in strong support of our military men and women and our
bases. In fact the most recent Florida Military-Friendly Guide lists 74 different areas in which military
men and women and their families have been cared for or protected. Florida is seen as a leader in the care
of the military and their families.
Homestead has hosted a military base since September of 1942 and the base and its personnel have been
an important part of the fabric of our community and the economy.
There is still hope with the Senate not yet having weighed in and with the governor hopefully having the
last word.
Write your Florida Representative and Senator and tell them not to let Florida be without an organization
which looks out after our military bases and the men and women who are assigned to them.
Homestead Reservists making mark in SWA
By Maj. Roxana Hambleton, 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron / Published April 03, 2017
http://www.dobbins.afrc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/5294/Article/1138919/homestead-reservists-makingmark-in-swa.aspx
SOUTHWEST ASIA – More than 200 Airmen from 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Base,
Florida, are currently serving in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
These reservists are supporting the fight in every aspect of mission support.
“We have Airmen in security forces, in logistics, in personnel, in civil engineering, in communications,
pretty much in every field to support ops,” said Col. Alan Teauseau, 482nd Mission Support Group
commander.
“What’s impressive, however, is the positive feedback coming back to me on the number of Airmen and
leaders we have in theater, using the training they received at Homestead to accomplish their mission,”
continued Teauseau.
Senior Master Sgt. Charly Berio-Cruz, the air freight superintendent for the 70th Aerial Port Squadron at
Homestead and currently the materials management superintendent for the 386th Expeditionary Logistics
Readiness Squadron, manages more than $300 million in equipment, individual protective equipment and
aircraft parts in the flight service center in theatre.
According to Berio-Cruz, what best prepared him for this deployment, his sixth, was “good commanders
at Homestead who let me do my job. Emphasizing getting the job done, versus being wasteful with our
time, really trains us as we should be trained.”….
Energy
New Climate Policies Needn’t Disrupt DOD’s Reliance
on Renewables, Conger Says
Dan Cohen, April 3, 2017
http://www.defensecommunities.org/blog/congress-dod/new-climate-policies-neednt-disrupt-dods-reliance-onrenewables-conger-says/
President Trump’s steps so far to back away from existing policies intended to address climate change
have not upended the military services’ push to increasingly rely on renewable energy sources to power
their installations. But the department’s former installations and energy chief says even if the new
administration revisits DOD’s policies on sustainability, it should be careful not to limit efforts that can
be justified for reasons beyond their environmental benefits.
There is a clear business case for the military to develop new generation capacity on base using solar,
wind or other renewable resources as they are generally financed by developers or utilities and can cut an
installation’s electricity bill, John Conger, who led the Pentagon’s installations office from 2012 to 2015,
told Defense Communities 360. And by enhancing an installation’s energy resilience, if a microgrid is
added, these projects yield an operational benefit of providing power during an interruption of the
commercial grid.
Even in the absence of new rules slowing DOD’s reliance on renewables, the White House’s stance
toward environmental sustainability can affect decision-making throughout the department, said Conger,
who now is a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. His wish is that the
services continue to pursue energy projects that save money and improve military value and not second
guess them because of their environmental benefits.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order reversing a requirement for federal agencies to consider
climate change in their actions and craft plans to mitigate its risks. As a result, DOD efforts to mitigate
the risks of climate change could slow. But even if officials choose not to take actions based on 20- or 30year projections of impacts from flooding, they already must deal with coastal installations affected by
rising sea levels, Conger said…..
Defense Industry
Northrop Grumman doing $11M worth of local
aircraft work
Matthew Richardson, Reporter, Orlando Business Journal, Mar 30, 2017, 12:20pm EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/03/30/northrop-grumman-doing-11m-worth-of-local-aircraft.html
Global defense firm Northrop Grumman Corp was awarded an $11 million contract on March 29 to
perform services on an airborne radar aircraft — plus, the company is still on a hiring spree for highwage, high-tech jobs.
The Falls Church, Va.-based company landed a contract with the U.S. Navy to upgrade three E-2C
aircraft cockpit navigation systems and displays. More than 80 percent of the work will take place in
Melbourne where Northrop Grumman's military aircraft systems division is based. The contract has a July
2019 completion date.
Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) frequently gets services contracts for its E-2C and E-2D Advanced
Hawkeye aircraft. On March 24, the company's Melbourne unit was awarded a $32.7 million contract for
its E-2D aircraft. Those contracts also help maintain Northrop Grumman's current local staff and add to it
as work increases.
Right now, the company is showing 206 jobs available on its career website, calling for software
engineers, logistics planners, structural design and software developers. The company is also hiring 22
workers in Orlando and five for its location in Apopka.
In addition, Northrop Grumman is in the process of building a 500,000-square-foot business center to
help support its multibillion-dollar U.S. Air Force contract for the new stealth bomber aircraft.
Military contracts contribute to the local economy in the form of jobs and subcontractor opportunities,
and Central Florida is a major player when it comes to defense contracts. The region snags about $4
billion in government contracts each year because the nation’s Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines
simulation operations are based in Central Florida Research Park……
Major General (Ret) Michael Jones Joins WWC
PR Newswire, March 31, 2017
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-general-ret-michael-jones-203000816.html
TAMPA, Fla., March 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WWC (Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, LLC) is
pleased to announce that Major General Michael Jones has joined the firm as its strategy expert. Gen.
Jones' 34-year military career in the US Army included a last active assignment as the Chief of Staff of
U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) under General James Mattis.
Gen. Jones brings to WWC strategic expertise in geopolitics, Army and Joint operations, cyber defense,
C4ISR, and cutting-edge training technologies. His extensive Middle East expertise, battlefield
experience from two combat tours, and service in the Pentagon, U.S. Central Command, Joint and interagency programs, and Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) provide significant depth to
his overall command of the Defense mission and landscape.
Gen. Jones worked with WWC's founders as a board member of its non-profit organization In Gear
Career. "We have been working with Mike for years, both in his capacity as an informal advisor to the
firm and as an active contributor to the growth on our non-profit. We are excited to formalize his role and
leverage his incredible knowledge and strategic vision, both internally and for our Government
customers," says Lauren Weiner, CEO of WWC.
"WWC has been a stand-out firm among the hundreds of government consulting firms I've interacted and
worked with. WWC's integrity and ability to effect meaningful, outcome-based change for their
government customers was what first attracted me to the firm and its non-profit," says MG Jones. "I look
forward to playing a formal role as the firm leverages its past successes in the coming years to deliver
even more effective advisory services to the Government."…..
DoD Budget
Stable Funding Key to Recovering From Readiness
Decline, DoD Officials Say
By Jim Garamone, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1135457/stable-funding-key-to-recovering-from-readiness-declinedod-officials-say
WASHINGTON, March 30, 2017 — The services need money, manpower, time and consistency to
recover military readiness, Defense Department officials told a Senate panel here yesterday.
Five witnesses from all services told the Senate Armed Services Committee’s readiness and management
support subcommittee that DoD’s organic industrial infrastructure has suffered as a result of the Budget
Control Act of 2011, which put sequestration spending cuts in place, and the lack of stable, consistent
funding.
Lt. Gen. Larry D. Wyche, deputy commander of Army Materiel Command; Vice Adm. Paul A.
Grosklags, commander of Naval Air Systems Command; Vice Adm. Thomas J. Moore, commander
of Naval Sea Systems Command; Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael G. Dana, deputy commandant for
installations and logistics; and Lt. Gen. Lee K. Levy II, commander of Air Force Materiel
Command’s Air Force Sustainment Center, testified at the subcommittee hearing.
This is not a new revelation, as many of the lawmakers acknowledged, noting that the military had no
choice but to use readiness accounts to maintain the current level of operations. That, combined with
increased operations around the world, has created a backlog of maintenance that will take years to
eliminate, all five officers told the Senate panel.
Military brass warn Congress of budget gridlock's
impact
By: Joe Gould, April 5, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/military-brass-warn-congress-of-budget-gridlocks-impact
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military’s top brass warned lawmakers Wednesday it will mean lost lives,
halted training and sidelined equipment if Congress punts on spending legislation for this year and forces
the military to operate for the next five months under fiscal 2016 levels.
Lawmakers must finalize a budget for the remainder of fiscal 2017 by the end of April or trigger a partial
government shutdown. In recent days, talk of a continuing resolution to fund the government through the
end of September has slowly built in the halls of Congress, raising concerns among defense officials who
say that would cause tremendous funding headaches for the military.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley warned that with the U.S. facing foreign threats and wars against
terrorism, it is no time to risk national security by closing the year with a continuing resolution or
returning to statutory budget caps.
“It will do just that, it will increase risk to the nation and ultimately result in dead Americans on a future
battlefield,” Milley said of both. “Lack of 2017 appropriations and no supplemental increase in funding
will significantly impact readiness and increase the risk to our force.”
On Wednesday, the military service chiefs appeared before the House Armed Services Committee to
paint a dire picture of their services, each stretched thin and weary from the cumulative effect of eight
years of unpredictable funding and fights around the globe.
The service chiefs also stumped for President Donald Trump’s immediate request for a $30-billion
boost. But despite Republican support in the House and Senate for the plan, passage of the budget boost
remains problematic given Democratic opposition because it violates automatic spending caps and cuts
billions from non-defense spending.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein warned that the service’s active-duty fighter pilot shortage
would exceed 1,000 by the end of the fiscal year. Without funding, only squadrons in or heading to a fight
will train, he said…..
Defense spending up, but new program pipeline thin,
report finds
By: Aaron Mehta, April 5, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/defense-spending-up-but-new-program-pipeline-thin-report-finds
WASHINGTON — Pentagon contracts increased in 2016, but the defense industry is facing a lack of
new programs that could stretch for a decade and force changes to how they do business, a new report has
concluded.
An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that overall Department of
Defense contract obligations rose by 7 percent in 2016, something that Andrew Hunter, a former
Pentagon acquisition official now with CSIS, called a sign that defense spending is “actually growing
again.”
The Pentagon has $296 billion in 2016 defense contract obligations, a modest increase from the $278
billion obligated in 2015 — but an increase nonetheless, the first such since 2008 and a positive sign for
the defense sector.
The Missile Defense Agency, the Air Force and the Navy all saw significant increases in contract
obligations in 2016, thanks largely to big programs for the C-130J transport, KC-46A tanker and Trident
II missile, Hunter wrote in the report, titled "Defense Acquisition Trends 2016: The End of the
Contracting Drawdown."
Contract spending now makes up about 46 percent of DoD’s costs, Hunter said at a rollout event for the
report, a significant decline from where it was 10 years ago, as costs for things like health care have
ballooned.
Additionally, contract costs have gone down thanks to internal Pentagon efforts such as the Better Buying
Power initiative, and the number of contract breaches that have occurred are down significantly since
2010.
But there is a warning sign on the horizon for industry, due to the small number of new programs in the
pipeline.
“There is no end in sight to the trough in the pipeline for weapon systems,” Hunter warned. And while
some of that may be made up from the commercial sector, where companies such as SpaceX will fill the
gap of new products being used by DoD, "I’m guessing this trough will end up being 10-12 years long,
which is unprecedented.”
Unless that changes under the Trump administration — and despite pledges from the White House about
a major defense budget increase, the figures put forth in the 2017 supplemental and 2018 budget don’t
show major changes from the Obama-era levels — Hunter predicts the defense industry will look to shift
even more away from research and development.
Other Of Interest
Navy instructor pilots refusing to fly over safety
concerns; Pence's son affected
By Lucas Tomlinson, FoxNews.com, Published April 04, 2017
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/04/04/navy-instructor-pilots-refusing-to-fly-over-safety-concerns-pencesson-affected.html
More than 100 U.S. Navy instructor pilots are refusing to fly in protest of what they say is the refusal of
top brass to adequately address an urgent problem with training jets’ oxygen system, multiple instructor
pilots tell Fox News.
The boycott started late last week and has effectively grounded hundreds of training flights.
“The pilots don’t feel safe flying this aircraft,” one instructor pilot told Fox News.
Among the hundreds of student pilots affected is Marine 1st Lt. Michael Pence, son of Vice President
Pence – a factor that could put added pressure on the Pentagon to resolve the dispute.
Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, head of naval aviation, told Fox News in an exclusive interview that the
training jet issue is the “number one safety priority” across naval aviation right now.
“Right now we don't have the smoking gun,” he cautioned.
In the last five years, physiological episodes, caused in part by problems with the oxygen system, have
nearly quadrupled on the T-45 training jet, according to Capitol Hill testimony last week by senior naval
aviators.
The Navy is now looking at grounding the entire fleet of T-45s for the next few days, according to
multiple pilots…..
Lockheed, Boeing don't see competition between F-18
and F-35, despite Trump suggestions
James Bach, Staff Reporter, Washington Business Journal, Apr 5, 2017, 5:16pm EDT
https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/04/05/lockheed-boeing-dont-see-competitionbetween-f-18.html
In December, President Donald Trump turned what was generally a discussion about how The Boeing
Co.’s (NYSE: BA) F-18 Super Hornet would work alongside Lockheed Martin Corp.’s (NYSE: LMT) F35 into a faceoff between the two fighter jets.
When Trump took to Twitter to assail the “out of control" costs of the F-35 and then pledged to price out
a “comparable” F-18, questions arose as to whether the Pentagon would start buying more F-18s at the
expense of the F-35. More specifically, those questions focused on the Navy’s future plans.
As it stands, neither company seems to be taking the bait and both continue to focus on how the two jets
complement each other.
In separate back-to-back briefings with reporters at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition at
National Harbor on Tuesday, when asked about the “comparable” F-18 suggestions, executives from both
companies shifted the discussion to the Navy’s future carrier air wing formations — which will include
two squadrons of F-35Cs and two F-18s — and the need for both.
“From our perspective it’s about having the right number of both platforms for the future fight,” Dan
Gillian, vice president of F/A-18 programs at Boeing, said Tuesday.
Jack Crisler, vice president of F-35 Business Development and Strategy Integration at Lockheed Martin,
had a similar answer. “We’re going to perform to the program of record,” he said, referring to the two-and
two mix of F-35 and F-18s…..
Trump kicks off Florida meetings with Chinese
president
By: Vivian Salama and Julie Pace, The Associated Press, April 6, 2017
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/trump-kicks-off-florida-meetings-with-chinesepresident?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%204.7.17&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to his Florida
estate Thursday for a high-stakes summit, with the urgent threat of North Korea's nuclear ambitions and
tensions over trade on the agenda for the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the world's two
largest economies.
Xi and his wife were greeted by the president and first lady Melania Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate
before making their way to dinner. The White House said the location was selected to give the two days
of discussions a more relaxed feel, but the meeting kicked off amid suggestions the Trump administration
was considering military action against Syria as it deliberated on how to respond to a chemical attack.
Still, Trump appeared lighthearted as he greeted Xi, gesturing and pointing to journalists as they tussled
to get a shot of the two leaders together for the first time.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on his way to the summit, Trump said he thinks China will "want
to be stepping up" in trying to deter North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
While Trump would not say what he wants China to do specifically with regard to North Korea, he
suggested there was a link between "terrible" trade agreements the U.S. has made with China and
Pyongyang's provocations. He says the two issues "really do mix."……
April 14
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #53 is NEXT WEEK and will be via Conference
Call / WebEx on Thursday, 20 April 2017, beginning at 9:00AM. There will not be a
closed session for meeting #53 (see attached agenda).
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. TPG Conducts CODEL-Staff Meetings – TPG conducted three days on the Hill
visiting with Congressional staff from Senators Rubio and Nelson as well as
Representatives Wasserman Schultz, Murphy, Castor, Diaz Balart, Dunn, Rutherford,
Curbelo, Ross-Lehtinen, and Gaetz. They discussed key issues within districts and across
the state. Of note, the theme of working as a Florida team, including in a bi-partisan way,
seemed to get a lot of traction. TPG will include more information at our next meeting
during their update.
4. Rural and Family Lands – Bruce Grant and Terry McCaffrey met with representatives
of the Rural and Family Lands program at the Department of Agriculture last week to
discuss opportunity to provide match for REPI funds around the state. We had a
productive meeting and found that several projects are underway using the program. We
also found that the potential to do more depends on the outcome of funding levels
provided this session since early draft budgets have seen no funding applied to the Rural
and Family Lands program.
5. Florida Rock Update – Bruce Grant and Terry McCaffrey joined representatives from
FDEP Division of State Lands, Dep of Economic Opportunity, MacDill AFB, Florida
Rock and White Development Company to discuss plans for development of the Florida
Rock parcel. Despite years of work to acquire the property or limit development through
restrictive easements to avoid incompatible development in Accident Potential Zone 1
(APZ), Florida Rock is moving ahead with development plans for a grocery store,
associated small business shops and a potential hotel on the Northern 14 acres and plans
for an office/business complex on the southern 10 acres where the State purchased a
development easement less than three months ago. The Air Force position is that the
planned development presented on these parcels violates USAF policy on development
within APZ 1. According to AFI 32-7063:
 3.10.1. The accident potential in APZ I is less than the Clear Zone, but still
possesses a significant risk factor. This area has land use compatibility guidelines
that are sufficiently flexible to allow reasonable economic use of the land, such as
industrial/manufacturing, transportation, communication/utilities, wholesale trade,
open space, recreation, and agriculture. However, uses that give rise to high
concentrations of people in small areas are not appropriate.
6. More States Prep for BRAC – This week Alabama, Georgia and Ohio have introduced
legislation or created Task Forces to invest in and protect their Military and Defense
infrastructure in anticipation of a BRAC being announced for 2019 or 2021 (see articles
below under “BRAC”). At the same time, the Florida House continues to support HB
7005 that eliminates the Enterprise Florida Inc. (EFI) and the Florida Defense Alliance
that have supported Florida’s military installations and servicemembers for the last 19
years by not funding EFI in their latest draft budget. The House draft continues to fund
the FDSTF and the Military Base Protection (MBP) program, but EFI staff execute those
programs. The Florida Senate has not introduced a companion to HB 7005 and their
latest draft budget maintains EFI, the FDSTF and the MBP program.
7. F-35 Community Event – The Florida National Guard will be holding a Community
Event at 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville International Airport on April 21, 2017 from
1300-1600. The event is meant to showcase the 125th FW as a prime unit/location to base
Air Guard F-35s in the future. This event is by invitation only, however, if you are an
Task Force member and interested in attending, please contact LTC James Evans at the
Florida Air National Guard at (904)741-7030.
8. Air Force Fighter Fleet Extensions – Wednesday, April 12 2017, two articles were
published announcing a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for the F-16 as well as
language from the USAF Chief of Staff on his being “ambivalent on F-15 Eagle
retirement” (see articles below in “Other of Interest”). Both announcements foreshadow
issues with the current and future USAF fighter fleet as the overall age of the fleet
continues to grow and F-35 cost and production numbers remains a concern.
9. OMB Directs Agency Reviews – According to Dan Cohen’s On Base, the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a memo directing all agencies to review
organizational structure and eliminate excess, redundant or ineffective capacity that does
not contribute to their mission (memo available at
https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/memoranda/2017/M-1722.pdf). The article noted that “agencies need to submit draft reform plans to OMB by
June 30 that cover workforce reductions and plans “to maximize employee
performance.””
10. Military / Veteran Related Bills – Status of all Mil / Vet related bills listed by last date
of action is attached. To review or track House Bills, go to
www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both
sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if you would like review in more depth.
11. Attachments:
 Agenda for Mtg 53
 Military / Veteran Legislation Status
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
Gulf Ranges
Sen. Nelson fighting offshore drilling
CHAD GILLIS , [email protected], Published 4:15 p.m. ET April 11, 2017
http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2017/04/11/sen-nelson-fighting-offshore-drilling/100321224/
A U.S. senator is fending off threats that could open up the eastern Gulf of Mexico to offshore drilling.
Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, told some local leaders Tuesday that he's hoping to extend protections that now
prohibit drilling offshore of Southwest Florida from 2022 to 2027.
He said the Gulf of Mexico doesn't need another BP oil spill.
"The actual spill itself, when the wind shifted and started taking east, it got to Pensacola beach, blackened
the sugary white sand beaches and those photographs went all over the world," said Nelson, speaking at
the Page Field airport in Fort Myers. "So all the rest of Florida's Gulf coast, all the way to Marco Island,
didn't get it. But what did happen is a whole season was lost because our visitors did not come because
they thought there was oil on our beaches and oil in the water."
The oil industry has pushed lawmakers from other states, Nelson said, to challenge the ban that keeps rigs
out of this section of the Gulf. He fears another senator will soon push to have the ban overturned.
Nelson and others have contended that there is only a small amount of oil to be had off the Southwest
Florida coast. In the end, Nelson said, those wanting to open up the area to drilling simply want to lease
those rights out to other companies, or increase the company's value by adding to its list of acquisitions.
"Even though a potential oil lease gives value to an oil company as an asset, in reality the oil is where the
sediments came down the Mississippi River for millions of years and that (oil) is primarily off Louisiana,"
Nelson said.
Nelson said his ace in the hole is that the Gulf of Mexico is used extensively to train some of the nation's
top military pilots.
"The clincher that I've been able to use to fight them off is that this area in the Gulf of Mexico off of
Florida is the largest testing and training area for the United States military in the world," he said. "I
would hope at that point we'd have all the support of the generals, and the admirals and the secretary of
defense."….
BRAC
AHEAD OF NEXT BRAC: Sen. Holtzclaw announces
bills to help retain military installations
The News Courier, 12 April 2017
http://www.enewscourier.com/news/local_news/ahead-of-next-brac-sen-holtzclaw-announces-bills-tohelp/article_363ca288-1fc8-11e7-9fc1-271454a3e6fe.html
State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw this week took steps to strengthen Alabama's position ahead of future decisions
made by the Department of Defense's Base Closure and Realignment Commission.
Holtzclaw, who feels confident another BRAC would occur during Trump's administration, is the sponsor
of Senate Bills 242 and 218, which move the Alabama Job Creation and Military Stability Commission
from resolution to code.
The bills also create the Military Stability Fund to facilitate public-private partnerships for economic
development in the defense industry. The Military Stability Commission was originally created by a
legislative resolution in 2011 and exists to promote the growth of the defense industry in Alabama.
“The threat of a future BRAC has moved from over the horizon to on the horizon — a BRAC will likely
occur during the Trump Administration,” Holtzclaw said. “These bills will strengthen Alabama’s position
to retain and expand our military installations throughout the state.”
Gov. Kay Ivey described the Military Stability Commission as essential for maintaining the state's
position as a leader in the defense industry. She has chaired the Military Stability Commission since 2011
and was involved in its creation while serving as lieutenant governor…..
State to ramp up military strategy with BRAC task
force
Tristan Navera, Senior Reporter, Dayton Business Journal, Apr 12, 2017, 5:33pm EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2017/04/12/state-to-ramp-up-military-strategy-with-brac-task.html
A new task force led by a local lawmaker will lead Ohio's strategy to protect its $11 billion defense
industry.
Rumblings of a new Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC round, have continued in Washington,
D.C.. A bill supporting the move, which would evaluate and consolidate military infrastructure around the
country, was introduced and discussed at the House Armed Services Committee earlier this year. It enjoys
some military and lawmaker support, but any kind of talk of closing bases leaves communities scrambling
to protect their own jobs.
Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, authorized a Task Force on BRAC and Military
Affairs last month, which he said would "collaborate with experts and interested parties to increase our
understanding of these topics in order to forge a productive pathway forward.”
State Rep. Rick Perales, R-Beavercreek, chairs the task force and said he's selecting its other members in
the next few weeks. The task force will formulate how the state can go about protecting its assets. For
Dayton, a BRAC looms large. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has 27,500 jobs as the largest single-site
employer in the state. It also supports nearly 60,000 jobs in the region and has a $4.3 billion economic
impact. Its groups spend millions more with local companies…..
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE PASSES BILLS TO
SUPPORT BASES, MILITARY FAMILIES
David Cohen, 13 April 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/white-house-ends-hiring-freeze?e=28cebe069c
Georgia lawmakers approved two bills during the 2017 session benefitting defense communities,
including one intended to strengthen local military bases ahead of a possible BRAC round. HB 470 would
provide defense communities matching dollars to further their relationship with neighboring installations.
Lawmakers, however, still will need to allocate money in the state budget for the Defense Community
Economic Development Fund. Separately the Legislature passed a bill, HB 224, permitting military
families living on-base or in off-base military housing to choose what public school in their district their
children attend, provided there is available space.
NAS Pensacola
Congressman Gaetz Visits NAS Pensacola In
Reference To T-45 Grounding
By Hayley Minogue, Published: April 10, 2017, 11:00 pm
http://wkrg.com/2017/04/10/congressman-gaetz-visits-nas-pensacola-in-reference-to-t-45-grounding/
Congressman Matt Gaetz spent the afternoon touring NAS Pensacola. He spoke with pilots and navy
officials about problems with the oxygen systems on the T-45 training jets. The congressmen then held a
news conference about what should happen next and why some pilots are refusing to fly.
Congressman Gaetz got mixed reactions from pilots aboard NAS Pensacola about the grounding of the T45. He began by saying defense sequestration has the state of military readiness in disrepair.
“When we don’t have the resources necessary for our military,” Congressman Gaetz said. “Equipment is
not innovated and updated and tested with the frequency we would expect and anticipate for those who
are carrying out dangerous training missions and combat missions.”
The aircraft was grounded by the navy on March 31st after reports the oxygen system was causing
physiological episodes due to contamination.
“I’m very pleased that the navy is giving this issue the seriousness that it deserves,” Gaetz commented.
Congressman Gaetz says some pilots refuse to fly the T-45 until the issues are resolved. Others fear a
lapse in flying the trainer will weaken our defense as a country. He shared a story where a student, flying
with an instructor, reported losing consciousness and the instructor was also severely affected, just barely
able to land safely……
NAS Whiting Field
NAS Whiting Field recognized for community service
By Press Gazette contributor, Posted Apr 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM
http://www.srpressgazette.com/news/20170410/nas-whiting-field-recognized-for-community-service
MILTON — The Chief of Naval Operations recognized Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s outstanding
support to the community with an Honorable Mention for the Personal Excellence Flagship Award.
The award recognizes commands who engage in outstanding community service activities that promote
academics, life skills and civic education for youth.
“Congratulations ...This award recognizes our outstanding community service ... but, most importantly, it
acknowledges that our actions have truly made a difference,” NAS Whiting Field Commanding Officer
Capt. Todd Bahlau said. “Well done, Shipmates!”
Almost 80 NAS Whiting Field team members participated in programs designed to help youths in the
local community. These included: Celebrate Literacy Week, Sea Cadets, Men in Action of Milton Florida,
Civil Air Patrol and Big Brother Big Sister, among others. The team supported these organizations with
almost 5,000 hours of volunteer service. Ultimately, their efforts benefited more than 3,200 children.
The award, which is managed by Commander Navy Installations Command, is presented to commands in
six categories. NAS Whiting Field was recognized in the Medium Ashore category.
Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field building dedicated to last surviving
Doolittle Raider
By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published April 07, 2017
http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/4891/Article/1145628/hurlburt-field-building-dedicated-tolast-surviving-doolittle-raider.aspx
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The name Richard E. Cole is one that comes with a legacy of service,
sacrifice and bravery.
It is a name that will forever be cemented in Air Commando and Hurlburt history after a building
renaming and dedication ceremony here, April 7.
In front of Air Commandos, past and present, and his daughter Ms. Cindy Chal, Retired Lt. Col. Richard
E. Cole and Lt. Col. Allison Black, the commander of the 319th Special Operations Squadron, unveiled
the new name for the 319th SOS building which now reflects Richard E. Cole Building. Cole is the last
surviving Doolittle Raider whose Air Force roots date back to the origination of the 319th SOS.
“Eleven days from now, it will be 75 years to the day, that then 26-year-old Lieutenant Cole climbed into
the airplane to get after the Raid on Tokyo, Special Mission number 1,” Black said. “Sir, you inspired all
of us here today. I know you’ve said in the past that you are not a hero, you are not brave, that we were
just guys doing our job. That epitomizes the humble, incredible, approachable nature of who you are, and
what makes all of you as Air Commandos very special.”
In early 1942, Cole volunteered for Special Mission Number 1, which trained at Eglin Air Field, and on
April 18, 1942, he served as then-Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle’s co-pilot during the Raid on Tokyo.
Cole became Doolittle’s co-pilot by chance while training at Eglin. The pilot who Cole was training with
fell ill, and the co-pilot chosen to fly with Doolittle was also unable to fly.
“Everyone wanted to go on that mission,” he said. “They all went to the [operations] officer and
explained the situation. It ended up that Doolittle took [the seat of the pilot who fell ill] because we
already had the crew.”
The Doolittle Raid was an air raid where 16, U.S. B-25 bombers launched from the USS Hornet 650
miles east of Japan to attack the Japanese mainland. The raid, while it caused only minor damage, let the
Japanese know America had just begun to fight. Doolittle, Cole and the crew bailed out into the dark,
storm-blowing night. As Cole parachuted to safety, his parachute got stuck in a pine tree, leaving him
suspended 12 feet above the ground. After cutting himself loose, he walked all day to find a Chinese
village, where he was picked up by Chinese troops…..
Eglin AFB
F-35 to bring permanent Italian presence to Okaloosa
County
By Heather Osbourne | 315-4440 | @heatheronwfdn, Posted at 12:01 AM, Updated at 6:46 AM
http://www.thedestinlog.com/news/20170410/f-35-to-bring-permanent-italian-presence-to-okaloosa-county
NICEVILLE – Consul General of Italy, Gloria Bellelli, will attend the Okaloosa County School Board
meeting Monday to sign a formal memorandum of understanding between the Italian government and the
district.
As part of the the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program at Eglin Air Force Base, the Italian air force is
establishing a permanent presence in the area and will enroll Italian students into Okaloosa County
schools.
The Italian government, wanting to keep their students current in their native language, will establish the
Italian Cooperative Program into select districts schools. The program will offer Italian education taught
by its natives.
Italian Colonel Igor Bruni said the program, also available to American students, is an effort by the Italian
consulate to establish a friendship between the U.S. and Italy.
“We think the best way to establish a friendship is to teach a little bit of our language,” Bruni said. “Our
kids will go through the program, but the delegation now is very small. About 95 percent of the students
will be American.”
In all, 600 American and Italian students will participate in the program next year, according to Luigi
Bava, president of the Organization for the Development of Italian Language and educational branch of
the Italian Consulate……
Rockwell Collins to Modernize Air Force, Navy and
Army Test Ranges
Posted: April 11, 2017 1:10 PM
http://seapowermagazine.org/stories/20170411-criis.html
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Rockwell Collins a $21 million
contract to support the second production lot of the Common Range Integrated Instrumentation System
(CRIIS) for upgrading Air Force, Navy and Army test ranges, the company announced in an April 11
release.
The next-generation test range instrumentation system will replace legacy range systems including
Advanced Range Data System and Air-to-Air Range Infrastructure systems in use at major U.S. military
ranges. This second production lot will help complete range installations and activations at Eglin Air
Force Base (AFB), Fla.; Edwards AFB, Calif.; Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md.; White
Sands Missile Range, N.M.; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, Calif.;
and NAS Point Mugu, Calif.
“With multi-level security and data link capabilities, the F-35 and other fighter aircraft will be able to
perform several missions in a single day by transferring connectivity to multiple ranges versus a
traditional test mission which consists of an exclusive base-to-aircraft data link,” said Troy Brunk, vice
president and general manager, Communication, Navigation and Electronic Warfare Solutions for
Rockwell Collins. “CRIIS provides much needed technology to modernize our U.S. military ranges.”
For example, an F-35 stationed at Edwards can take off in the morning, fly to White Sands Missile Range
for range-specific testing and then continue on to Nellis AFB, NAWS China Lake, the sea range located
at NAS Pt. Mugu and return to Edwards AFB at the end of the day all while transferring its data
connection securely to each range system. The CRIIS system will support developmental and operational
testing with the named test ranges, and is ready to support F-15, F-16, and F/A-18, F-22 and F-35 in live,
virtual and constructive test scenarios…..
Camp Blanding
Clay school district to open new Military Family
Resource Center
By Teresa Stepzinski, Posted April 10, 2017 09:46 am
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/clay/2017-04-10/clay-school-district-open-new-military-family-resourcecenter
ORANGE PARK | Military families with students in the Clay County school district soon will have a
new “all-in-one” resource center to help them navigate not only the school system but also other issues
affecting the youngsters while their parent or parents making the transition to or from deployments.
The district will host a grand opening of the new Military Family Resource Center from 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, April 20 on the west campus of Orange Park High School, 2306 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park.
The center will serve as a clearinghouse of information and resources for military families arriving in the
area. It will offer myriad information such as general information about the school district including
enrollment and setting up a parent portal, to the availability of special resources addressing issues specific
to military-connected families including counseling and other programs available through the U.S.
Department of Defense.
“We wanted a one-stop shop so to speak for them,” said Kathy Schofield, the district’s supervisor of
STEM and Military Family Support.
An average of 2,600 to 3,000 children of active duty military personnel are enrolled in Clay schools
annually. At times, the enrollment of military-connected students has been as 3,200. It fluctuates
depending on deployments involving personnel based at Northeast Florida military facilities, Schofield
said.
Governor Scott Directs Florida National Guard
Resources to Combat Wildfires
On April 12, 2017, in News Releases, by Staff
http://www.flgov.com/2017/04/12/governor-scott-directs-florida-national-guard-resources-to-combat-wildfires/
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott directed the Florida National Guard to provide a
UH-60 ‘Blackhawk’ helicopter to be placed on standby for potential firefighting missions in Tampa. The
aircraft would be flown in support of the Florida Forest Service and will be equipped with the ability to
both collect and dispense large quantities of water onto fires without having to land.
Governor Scott said, “As directed by my executive order, our state agencies have been working closely
with the Florida Forest Service and our federal partners to determine what resources are needed to fight
the increased number of fires across the state. Today I am directing the Florida National Guard to
immediately provide resources to help put out forest fires. It is crucial that our firefighters and first
responders are able to immediately respond to dangerous wildfires and this helicopter will be an
incredibly valuable resource in our fight to protect our communities. We will continue to work closely
with our federal, state and local partners to make sure we are doing everything we can to combat these
fires and keep our state safe. I ask that all Floridians join my wife Ann and I in praying for the safety of
our first responders as they combat these fires.”
Positioning a UH-60 ‘Blackhawk’ helicopter on standby in Tampa will allow National Guard units to
activate within minutes and join firefighters and first responders in combatting any ongoing or potential
wildfires. The aircraft will be able to dump hundreds of gallons of water onto the flames. Additionally,
this will allow the Florida Forest Service to relocate other important aerial resources to different regions
of the state to prepared for and respond to wildfires. Yesterday, Governor Scott issued Executive Order
17-120 declaring a state of emergency in Florida following the recent wildfires across the state and the
high potential for increased wildfires to continue this year.
NS Mayport
Admiral: Would be "very difficult" to move aircraft
carrier homeport from Norfolk to Florida
By Brock Vergakis, The Virginian-Pilot, 12 Apr 2017
http://pilotonline.com/news/military/local/admiral -would-be-very-difficult-to-move-aircraft-carrierhomeport/article_e89ef9ab-4118-59ce-ba26-ef52f5841842.html
NORFOLK – Despite pressure from Florida’s congressional delegation, the Navy’s top admiral said
Wednesday it would be “very difficult” to find money to upgrade a base there so it could serve as a
homeport for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The Navy has said it wants to disperse its fleet of carriers on the East Coast so they’re not all based in
Norfolk, to protect against natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Originally, the Navy wanted to upgrade
Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville so it could host a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier by 2019.
Budget constraints repeatedly have put those plans on hold.
Florida’s delegation had hoped to take advantage of President Donald Trump’s agenda to increase defense
spending to secure money for the project, which would be a boon for Jacksonville’s economy and a major
hit to Hampton Roads’. Economists have estimated that losing a carrier would cost Hampton Roads 6,000
jobs and $425 million in annual revenue.
The Navy has indicated its priorities are getting the fleet back in shape after more than a decade of war,
which has taken a significant toll.
“In the current budget environment, it’s going to be very, very difficult to find the funds to get that project
started,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said in response to a question from The
Virginian-Pilot during a visit to Naval Station Norfolk….
NAS Jacksonville
Navy Deploys P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to Search
for Missing Republic of Korea Crew
Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Hendricks , 04.06.2017
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/229566/navy -deploys-p-8a-poseidon-aircraft-search-missingrepublic-korea-crew
NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Apr. 6, 2017) – The Republic of Korea ship, Stella Daisy, departed Brazil
Mar. 26, and is believed to have sunk in the South Atlantic with 22 crew members unaccounted for.
An aircraft and crew from Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) deployed from Naval Air Station Jacksonville to
conduct international search and rescue operations at the request of the Republic of Korea. The
approximately 20-person crew departed from NAS Jacksonville to Galeão Air Force Base on Apr. 6.
Brazil is one of the nation’s supporting the international search for missing crew members in the Republic
of Korea vessel Stella Daisy’s last known location. The government of Brazil has authorized the P-8A
aircraft to operate from Galeão Air Force Base in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Operating out of Brazil will
allow the P-8A missions to remain over the search area longer while supporting international efforts to
locate the missing crew members.
The U.S. is contributing this air asset to the international search and rescue effort being led by the
Uruguayan Navy.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) fulfills the maritime
role within U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations. USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT
employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, fortify the ability
of U.S. forces to work together with partner nations, and build enduring partnerships with the ultimate
goal of enhancing regional security and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean,
Central, and South American regions….
MacDill AFB
MacDill making $4 million in repairs in fuel lines to
load KC-135 aerial tankers
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Friday, April 7, 2017 11:29am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/altman-macdill-making-4-million-in-repairs-in-fuel-lines-to-loadkc-135/2319545
The Air Force part of MacDill Air Force Base is all about getting fuel into the gas tanks of fighters and
bombers. But MacDill's fleet of 16 KC-135s Stratotanker aerial refueling jets can't do that if the base gas
pumping system doesn't work.
That's why MacDill is spending up to $4 million to fix the fuel system, where some 40 deficiencies were
found during an investigative inspection in 2015.
Among other things, the work will include new containments, bollards, canopies, piping fixtures, coating
repairs, and pipe stand repairs, according to Michael Flach, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental
Flight Chief.
"This action is pro-active and demonstrates best management practices on the part of the Air Force Civil
Engineer Center, Defense Logistics Agency Fuels and Air Force Petroleum Office," Flach said in an
email to the Tampa Bay Times.
In March, a $2.3 million task order was awarded to Versar Inc., a Springfield, Va.-based global
management firm. The 14-month contract has a total price tag of $4.1 million if all options are
exercised….
Cross-Bay Ferry Paving The Way For MacDill Ferry
By SUSAN GILES WANTUCK • 12 April 2017
http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/cross-bay-ferry-paving-way-macdill-ferry#stream/0
The Cross-Bay Ferry pilot project, which connects the downtowns of Tampa and St. Petersburg, will
cease its run at the end of this month. But it has provided valuable information about the habits of
would-be riders.
Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Ed Turanchik is a project advisor. And on behalf of his
firm, Akerman, he's helping to put together a public-private partnership between Hillsborough County
and the ferry service providers for a different ferry project.
"Success of the Cross-Bay Ferry has put the MacDill Ferry Project back on the front burner. So we have
some good likelihood that we'll see permanent ferry service in about three years," Turanchik said.
The Hillsborough County Commission voted last week to move forward with it. And a contract is
coming soon.
The ferry service would connect an estimated 10,000 employees of MacDill who live in southern
Hillsborough County to the Air Force Base on the southern tip of the Tampa peninsula……
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn heads to Nevada to see
planes refueled by MacDill tankers
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Thursday, April 13, 2017 2:25pm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/tampa-mayor-bob-buckhorn-heads-to-nevada-aboard-macdilltanker/2320209
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who was given the call sign "Swagger" by the folks at MacDill Air Force
Base, is heading to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada with a group of 22 local leaders.
They took off Thursday morning aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling jet for a two-day tour of
Nellis and the kinds of aircraft based there, which the tankers refuel.
"Always amazed by the work of the young airmen," Buckhorn told the Tampa Bay Times via text after
landing. "The responsibility and the performance of these young troops makes me proudevery time I am
around them. Looking forward to observing a great refueling mission and then learning more about
'Fighter Town' at Nellis AFB."
There are 16 tankers at MacDill, shared by the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing.
Another eight are on the way beginning later this year and MacDill is in the running for an additional
12…..
Defense Industry
Defense Contractors See End of Budget Decline
By Charles S. Clark, April 6, 2017
http://www.govexec.com/contracting/2017/04/defense-contractors-see-end-budget-decline/136788/
The Pentagon, as the government’s largest buyer of goods and services, is ending a seven-year drawdown
of acquisition spending, according to a study released on Wednesday.
“The tide has definitely turned in the direction of contract spending,” wrote a team directed by Andrew
Hunter of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Defense Department fiscal 2016 contract obligations increased by 7 percent over the previous year, “far
higher than predicted,” said the analysis of the outlook for spending on research and development,
defense acquisition reform and procurement performance-based data from the Federal Procurement Data
System.
Significant boosts in spending commitments were recorded by the Missile Defense Agency, the Air Force
and the Navy, “driven primarily by increased obligations for large procurement programs like the C-130J
transport aircraft, the KC-45A tanker aircraft, and the Trident II missile program,” CSIS said. “Even the
Army, which had declined far more steeply than DoD overall throughout the budget drawdown, was
virtually stable between 2015 and 2016.”
Year-to-year trends in product contract obligations “are highly sensitive to the timing of large contracts
for production of major weapons systems such as the F-35” joint strike fighter, the report said, “though
with purchases of F-35s likely to accelerate in the near future, these large contracts may be a continuing
source of stability within the DoD products contract portfolio.”
Research and development contracts “have borne a disproportionate share of cuts within the DoD
contracting portfolio during the current budget drawdown,” it said. "The dimensions of those cuts,
however, have not followed the expected path. Despite fears that early stage, seed corn R&D would be hit
particularly hard, the data show that it has been relatively preserved compared to the overall declines in
R&D.”
What’s more, the analysts said, despite the decline in contract obligations since 2009, “the composition of
the defense industrial base, as measured by size of vendor, has been relatively stable.” In the private
sector, “Medium vendors have accounted for between 20 percent and 22 percent of overall DoD contract
obligations in every year during the period, while large vendors have accounted for between 30 percent
and 34 percent throughout.”…….
Industry roundup: Lockheed Martin, Northrop
Grumman, Raytheon net $1B in contracts
Matthew Richardson, Reporter, Orlando Business Journal, Apr 10, 2017, 12:42pm EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/04/10/industry-roundup-lockheed-martin-northrop-grumman.html
There isn't a shortage of defense work going on in Central Florida as three big companies landed five
contracts totaling nearly $1.1 billion.
Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp. and Raytheon Co. each won contracts on March 31,
according to the U.S. Department of Defense, and much of the work is taking place in Central Florida.
Here's a rundown of each contract awarded:

Lockheed Martin: The Bethesda, Md.-based defense firm (NYSE: LMT), which has more than
7,000 workers in Central Florida, was awarded $581.7 million contract with the U.S. Navy to
provide spare parts for F-35 A, B, and C versions. Work will take place in several parts of the
U.S., including Orlando and Melbourne, but the majority will be in Fort Worth, Texas. The
contract has an April 2021 completion date. Plenty of F-35 work is handled in Orlando as the
company designs parts and develops simulation programs for the stealth aircraft. The program
supports 1,300 jobs in Central Florida.

Lockheed Martin: The company's Orlando unit was awarded a $288 million contract with the
U.S. Army to work on a Laser Engagement System Vehicle Tactical Engagement Simulation
System. The system helps simulate battle using lasers and blank ammo cartridges. While
Lockheed Martin's Orlando unit was awarded the contract, locations and funding for each service
will be determined with each order, and it has a March 30, 2024, completion date.

Raytheon: The Waltham, Mass.-based defense firm (NYSE: RTN) won a $199.7 million contract
with the U.S. Navy to deliver 317 AIM-9X Block II missiles. A small part of the work will take
place in Orlando with the remainder taking place in various parts around the world. The contract
has a March 2020 completion date.

Lockheed Martin: The company's space systems division based in Sunnyvale, Calif., won an
$18.9 million contract with the U.S. Navy. Nearly half of the work will take place in Cape
Canaveral and California. A much smaller portion of the work will take place in Casselberry.
Contract work included deliverable materials for the Trident II missile system — a program that
supports hundreds of jobs in Cape Canaveral. The contract has a June 30, 2019, completion date.

Northrop Grumman: The Falls Church, Va.-based global defense company (NYSE: NOC) won
an $8 million contract with the U.S. Navy for the development and delivery of logistics products,
repair and support management for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft. Nearly all of the work
will be completed in Melbourne with a target date of March 2018.
Lockheed Martin F-35 work continues to ramp up in
Orlando with part of $372.9M contract
Matthew Richardson, Reporter, Orlando Business Journal, Apr 11, 2017, 2:14pm EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/04/11/lockheed-martin-f-35-work-continues-to-ramp-up-in.html
Lockheed Martin Corp. won another big contract on April 10 related to its Lot 10 agreement to deliver 90
F-35 aircraft — a deal that results in more work for the global public company's Orlando unit.
The Bethesda, Md.-based company, which has more than 7,000 employees in Orlando, was awarded a
$372.9 million contract with the U.S. Navy, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The contract is for the procurement of F-35A and F-35B aircraft, including aircraft deficiency corrections
for non-U.S. Department of Defense participants. Work for the contract will take place in Orlando, Texas,
California, New Hampshire, Maryland, the United Kingdom and Japan. The contract has a March 2020
completion date.
Lockheed Martin's Lot 10 contract is said to be worth less than $9 billion and will involve delivering the
aircraft over several years with the first deliveries starting next year. The price per F-35 aircraft was
reduced, thanks to negotiations from U.S. President Donald Trump, said Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn
Hewson.
Local work for the Lot 10 contract is already in gear as the F-35 program supports 1,600 jobs in Florida
— 1,300 of those in Orlando. The firm’s Rotary & Mission Systems operation in east Orlando supports
the training and logistics aspects of the F-35 program, and the Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
facility in west Orlando produces F-35 targeting systems….
Is industry ready for airborne laser weapons?
By John Keller, Editor, April 13, 2017
http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2017/04/airborne-laser-weapons.html
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – U.S. Air Force combat aircraft experts are looking over industry to
determine the state of the art in airborne laser weapons technology, and the companies best able to
provide it.
Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., issued a sourcesought notice (FA8656-17-R-0005) on Tuesday for the Airborne Tactical Laser Technology request for
information.
Air Force officials are conducting a technology survey to determine the current state of laser weapon
system technology suitable for near-term applications in a prototype airborne tactical laser weapon.
Air Force laser weapons experts are trying to improve their understanding of industry's state-of-the-art
laser capabilities and their costs to support weapon system integration studies and identify industry
participants in future laser weapon system procurements.
DoD Budget
Chiefs: DOD cyber will suffer under a continuing
resolution
By Sean D. Carberry, Apr 06, 2017
https://fcw.com/articles/2017/04/06/cyber-suffers-cr-carberry.aspx
The Joint Chiefs of Staff didn't pull any punches when telling the House Armed Services Committee the
impact of passing another continuing resolution rather than a full fiscal year 2017 budget before the
federal government's spending authority runs out on April 28.
"Candidly, failure to pass a budget in my view as both an American citizen and the chief of staff of the
United States Army constitutes professional malpractice," said Gen. Mark Milley. "I don't think we
should accept it as the new normal," he told lawmakers, urging them to "pass the budget."
He and the other chiefs said that under a CR, any efforts to grow end strength would halt. New
procurements and new programs will not happen. Money will have to be pulled from other areas to
prioritize readiness and training, which would both take a hit.
Modernization? Forget about it, said the chiefs.
The House passed the 2017 defense budget and submitted a full budget to the Senate in March. While
appropriators are optimistic about passing a budget to cover the rest of fiscal year 2017, as of now,
another continuing resolution or even a potential government shutdown looms.
There is little the HASC can do at this point except call attention to the impact a CR would have on the
Defense Department. Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and other members have stated they will not
vote for a CR…..
Other Of Interest
FAA Restricts Drone Operations Over Certain Military
Bases
https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=87865
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is using its existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 99.7 – “Special Security Instructions” – to address national security
concerns about unauthorized drone operations over 133 military facilities.
This is the first time the agency has instituted airspace restrictions that specifically apply only to
unmanned aircraft, popularly known as “drones.” The authority under § 99.7 is limited to requests based
on national security interests from the Department of Defense and U.S. federal security and intelligence
agencies.
U.S. military facilities are vital to the nation’s security. The FAA and the Department of Defense have
agreed to restrict drone flights up to 400 feet within the lateral boundaries of these 133 facilities. The
restrictions will be effective April 14, 2017.There are only a few exceptions that permit drone flights
within these restrictions, and they must be coordinated with the individual facility and/or the FAA.
Operators who violate the airspace restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential
civil penalties and criminal charges…..
Trump names Mark Green as Army secretary pick
BY ELLEN MITCHELL - 04/07/17 05:18 PM EDT 31
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/327911-trump-nominates-mark-green-as-army-secretary
President Trump intends to nominate former Army lieutenant colonel and current Tennessee state
Sen. Mark Green (R) as Army secretary, the White House confirmed Friday.
Defense Secretary James Mattis praised Green in a statement, saying he was confident he "will provide
strong civilian leadership, improve military readiness and support our service members, civilians, and
their families."
Green has been a state senator since 2012 and had recent plans to run for governor of Tennessee. His
campaign website describes him as “a conservative Christian, veteran, father, husband and businessman."
In January, Green filed paperwork to run in his state's 2018 gubernatorial race, hiring the Tennessee
director for Trump’s presidential campaign Darren Morris to lead his campaign. Green will give up that
race should he be confirmed as Army secretary.
Green served as a former special operations flight surgeon, the emergency physician during Operation
Red Dawn in 2003, which captured Saddam Hussein. Green was the first person to interrogate Hussein
following his capture….
HB 7005 - a Legislative Perspective
By Rep. Holly Raschein, Posted: Friday, April 7, 2017 3:44 pm
http://www.southdadenewsleader.com/opinion/hb---a-legislative-perspective/article_888d23ca-1bca-11e7-92100757c9fdb765.html
During the first week of the legislative session, the House passed HB 7005 which is designed to improve
our state’s economic development efforts and end our current practice of picking winners and losers in
business by eliminating Enterprise Florida as well as a number of other poorly performing programs
currently funded through our state budget. This bill is a top priority of the leader of the Florida House,
Speaker Richard Corcoran.
When the bill was presented to me, I learned that the Florida Defense Alliance (FDA) was one of the
programs to be eliminated. This was of particular concern for my district, which is flanked by military
installations to the north and south, and the military men and women and civilian employees are an
important part of my constituency. I share the unease expressed by many about any changes to the state’s
military support system given the constant potential of federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
looming over us.
I immediately reached out to the bill sponsor and House leadership to share my concerns about the
elimination of the FDA or any program that benefits our military members. I was assured that while HB
7005 does call for the elimination of the consortium that is the FDA, it does not eliminate any of the
programs, grants, or funding opportunities currently available under the FDA umbrella. These programs
will continue to exist under other state agencies. The Senate is taking a different approach to Enterprise
Florida and economic development programs so the negotiations on this issue between the two chambers
are ongoing.
We have made great strides in recent years to promote Florida’s military installations and make Florida
the most military and veteran friendly state in the nation. I remain confident that as a legislative body, we
want to build upon that legacy and continue to support our military and the important work that they do
across the state. When it comes to the overarching objective of this bill to eliminate Enterprise Florida,
the House believes it is the Legislature’s duty to review inefficient government programs and ensure
taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.
Trump Administration to Lift Federal Hiring Freeze
Associated Press | 12 Apr 2017 | by Jill Colvin
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/04/12/trump-administration-lift-federal-hiring-freeze.html
WASHINGTON – The federal government hiring freeze implemented by President Donald Trump as
one of his first acts in office will be lifted Wednesday.
But budget director Mick Mulvaney says many jobs will remain unfilled as the White House embarks on
a government-wide effort to overhaul the executive branch and significantly reduce its workforce.
Mulvaney told reporters Tuesday at a White House briefing that the move was part of the president's
campaign pledge to "drain the swamp" in Washington and save taxpayers money.
"It does not mean that the agencies will be free to hire willy-nilly," he said. "What we're doing tomorrow
is replacing the across-the-board hiring freeze that we put into place on Day One in office and replacing it
with a smarter plan, a more strategic plan, a more surgical plan."
The president signed a memorandum in January freezing large portions of federal government hiring,
while exempting the military and positions deemed necessary for national security and public safety. As
part of the memorandum, Trump gave the Office of Management and Budget 90 days to come up with a
long-term plan to reduce the federal government's size…..
Air Force Opts to Keep F-16s Flying for Decades
Longer
POSTED BY: ORIANA PAWLYK APRIL 12, 2017
HTTPS://WWW.DODBUZZ.COM/2017/04/12/AIR-FORCE-OPTS-TO-KEEP-F-16S-FLYING-FOR-DECADESLONGER/?ESRC=DOD-BZ.NL
The Air Force has authorized Lockheed Martin Corp. to extend the life of the F-16 multi-role fighter for
decades longer, officials announced Wednesday.
The modification program would boost the overall flight hours of the jet from 8,000 to 12,000, Lockheed
said in a release.
“Following F-16 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) structural modifications, the U.S. Air Force
could safely operate Block 40-52 aircraft to 2048 and beyond,” the release said.
The world’s largest defense contractor, based in Bethesda, Maryland, said the move would also lower life
sustainment costs on the jet, but didn’t provide a projected savings figure.
The program would extend the flight hour limit of up to 300 F-16C/D Block 40-52 aircraft, and would
supplement both U.S. and allied combat air fleets as they integrate with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the
announcement said…..
US Air Force chief ambivalent on F-15 Eagle
retirement
By: Valerie Insinna, April 12, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/air-force-chief-undecided-about-f-15-eagleretirement?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DFN%20DNR%204.12.17&utm_term=Edi
torial%20-%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
WASHINGTON — The Air Force’s top general isn’t sold on the potential retirement of the F-15C/D
Eagle, he said Wednesday.
After an event at the Heritage Foundation, Gen. David Goldfein told reporters he was still undecided on
whether the service should retire its fleet of F-15C/D jets in the mid-2020s.
“We’re looking at all options all the time because until we get a budget, it’s really hard to plan. So
occasionally you’re going to see us look at all kinds of different options,” he said. “So I have not made
any decision on the F-15. I actually haven’t made a decision on any of the aircraft.
We’re going to keep the F-15C around at least until 2020.”
Earlier this month, Air Force officials disclosed a budget planning option that would sideline the F15C/D, replacing them with F-16s upgraded for better survivability in air-to-air combat. The younger fleet
of F-15E Strike Eagles would remain intact.
Goldfein, speaking today, said continued high operational tempo precludes any immediate decision on its
fleet of C and D model F-15s….
April 20
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #54 is will in person on Thursday, 18 May 2017,
beginning at 9:00AM at the Residence Inn, 600 W. Gaines Street, Tallahassee FL
32304.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. F-35 Community Event – The Florida National Guard will hold a Community Event at
125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville International Airport tomorrow, Friday April 21, 2017
from 1300-1600. The event is meant to showcase the 125th FW as a prime unit/location
to base Air Guard F-35s in the future. This event is by invitation only, however, if you
are an Task Force member and interested in attending, please contact LTC James Evans
at the Florida Air National Guard at (904)741-7030.
4. Team Orlando Partnership Building – Team Orlando requested support from the Task
Force to the Governor and Cabinet for the purchase of Partnership IVb building. This
purchase will fulfill the office space requirements for their mission and will significantly
reduce their overhead cost and risk of being relocated during a potential BRAC
round. The Chairman signed the attached letter of support today.
5. Military / Veteran Related Bills – Status of all Mil / Vet related bills listed by last date
of action is attached. To review or track House Bills, go to
www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both
sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if you would like review in more depth.
6. Attachments:
 Team Orlando Partnership Building Support
 Military / Veteran Legislation Status
 Team Orlando Newsletter (April 2017)
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
NAS Pensacola
T-45 training flights resume NAS Pensacola despite
concerns
Melissa Nelson Gabriel , [email protected] 3:10 p.m. CT April 17, 2017 | Updated 17 hours ago
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/military/2017/04/17/t-45-training-flights-resume-nas-pensacola-despiteconcerns/100568448/
The Navy resumed T-45 Goshawk training flights at Pensacola Naval Air Station and other bases on
Monday after briefly halting the flights because of concerns about the jets' oxygen systems.
The Navy said the training could continue as long as pilots remain below an altitude of 10,000 feet to
avoid using the On Board Oxygen Generator System.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said on Monday that he still
has serious concerns about the safety of the T-45.
"The oxygen system is poisoning our pilots," said Gaetz, who has previously called for a wide-ranging
investigation into the safety of the T-45 and some other military aircraft.
Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said Pensacola Naval Air Station pilots he met with earlier this month told
him they are concerned about pilots passing out and losing control of the jets because of the problems
with the oxygen system.
Some instructor pilots, including those in Pensacola, had refused to fly the T-45 after experiencing inflight hypoxia. Navy and Marine pilots in both the T-45 Goshawk and the F/A-18 Hornet have reported
issues of sudden-onset hypoxia related to unknown contaminants in the airplanes' oxygen systems.
"It is a very serious issue," Gaetz said Monday after an event in Navarre.
The altitude ceiling is not a solution, he said.
"Obviously there are scenarios they need to train for at altitudes above that. They need to train at up to
14,000 feet," he said…..
Congressman Gaetz Concerned About T-45 Returning
To Skies
By Hayley Minogue, Published: April 18, 2017, 9:22 am
http://wkrg.com/2017/04/18/congressman-gaetz-concerned-about-t-45-returning-to-skies/
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) – T-45 aircraft at NAS Pensacola have returned to the skies, but pilots are
making changes to how they fly until the issues with the oxygen system can be resolved.
The T-45’s typically soar high in the skies, but in Pensacola, the T-45 will be restricted in their flights.
“They’re doing it at a lower altitude so pilots are not required to use the oxygen system that has led to
contamination and disorientation,” said Congressman Matt Gaetz.
Congressman Gaetz wrote a letter to the Commander of Naval Air Forces voicing his concerns over the
decision to resume flights. In the letter, Gaetz poses several questions about resuming flights, asking for
more transparency regarding the scope of engineering and analysis testing.
He also addressed hypoxia-induced episodes throughout the military, referencing a problem in the Air
Force with the F-22 pilot community.
“I’m grateful for that accommodation that the Navy has made,” said Congressman Gaetz. “But, I remain
very concerned that we have not yet diagnosed why the oxygen systems in T-45 aircrafts are literally
poisoning the pilots.”
Gaetz ends the letter by asking what Boeing’s level of involvement is in determining the issue. Also, if
toxicologists or chemists are being involved in determining what is causing pilots in our skies to lose
consciousness while flying.
Congressman Gaetz is a member of the Armed Services Committee. He said last week this issue needs
“top priority in a world that is becoming more dangerous by the hour.”
Hurlburt Field
EDITORIAL: Navarre Pass is a doomed idea and bad
for taxpayers
Published 11:07 p.m. CT April 14, 2017 | Updated 6:57 a.m. CT April 15, 2017
http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2017/04/15/navarre-pass-doomed-idea-bad-taxpayers/100435958/
Maybe Matt Gaetz is suffering from a lapse into liberalism.
The congressman who usually argues that life is better with less government now seems to believe that
government should have a say in shaping the shifting sands, swells and storm surge along Northwest
Florida’s seashore.
Indeed, Gaetz wants the federal government to mandate creation of an artificial waterway between the
Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound by reopening the Navarre Pass, which was a mistake 50 years ago.
Indeed, the pass is a folly from the past at taxpayer expense. The doomed dredging project opened in
1965 for less than three months until Hurricane Betsy tore through the area, dumping sand back where it
belonged and closed the unnatural cut until this day.
But now Gaetz wants to reopen it?
With all do respect, we have a government that still hasn’t even figured out Obamacare. We doubt it’s
equipped to re-engineer the awesome, unconquerable forces of God’s most sublime creations…..
Eglin AFB
New leadership takes reins of Nomad wing
By 1st Lt. Jennifer Hyden, 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published April 17, 2017
http://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1152371/new-leadership-takes-reins-of-nomad-wing/
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 33rd Fighter Wing held a change of command ceremony April
13 at the wing’s maintenance training facility here.
Brigadier Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony where Col. Paul
Moga assumed command from Col. Lance Pilch.
Doherty spoke about the Nomads storied history and foot stomped the role they would play at the
forefront of air power.
“The efforts of the 33rd (Fighter Wing) are going to be front and center, the first elements of American
power (for future, near-peer conflicts). To deter aggression and, if needed, to crush the threat,” Doherty
said.
In his final address as Nomad One, Pilch expressed his pride in the accomplishments of the fighter wing.
“When you look at the past two years it’s staggering how far [the wing has] come,” said Pilch, addressing
the Airmen and Sailors. “What I’m most proud of is that you did this all yourselves, without me asking. I
gave you the reins and you made it happen, never looking back.”
For his service as commander of the wing, Pilch was presented with the Legion of Merit medal.
Before rendering his final salute to the wing, Pilch said, “Know that you have made a difference to our
national defense. Our sons and daughters will be safer because of the work you do and continue to do. So
if I hang on to the guidon a little tight and don’t let go, you understand why.”
Pilch will go on to serve as the vice commander of the 17th Air Force at Osan Air Base, South Korea as a
brigadier general.
Moga assumed command of the Air Force’s first F-35 wing, which supports the training of over 100
pilots, two thousand maintainers, 160 intelligence officers, and 234 air battle managers annually….
US Special Operations Command
SOCOM at 30 Has Evolved Into a Small Command
With a Big Global Impact
by Howard Altman, Tampa Bay Times SWJ Blog Post | April 16, 2017 - 10:54am
http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/socom-at-30-has-evolved-into-a-small-command-with-a-big-global-impact
It was born out of deadly failure and evolved into an organization that other nations seek to emulate, a
command that accounts for a fraction of the Pentagon's budget but a large measure of how the world sees
the U.S. military.
This week, U.S. Special Operations Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, turns
30.
Created by Congress in the wake of Operation Eagle Claw, the disastrous attempt to rescue American
hostages from Iran in 1980, SOCom opened its doors at MacDill on April 16, 1987. It was an attempt to
coordinate the work of military services that all did things differently.
Up until the terrorist attacks of 9/11, SOCom was a relatively sleepy, train-and equip organization. In
2001, SOCom had about 43,000 people and a budget of about $3 billion. After 9/11, as the role of special
operations forces in the fight against jihadis expanded, the command experienced dramatic growth.
Today, it has 70,000 people and a budget of more than $10 billion.
About 8,700 commandos are serving in about 100 countries, with more than half of them — 4,400 — in
the MacDill-based region that's the responsibility of MacDill-based U.S. Central Command. This includes
Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Seeing the success of U.S. special operations, representatives from foreign
militaries are traveling to Tampa to see how they can recreate such a powerful force. One that offers great
bang for the buck. SOCom makes up just 2 percent of U.S. defense budget.
The symbol of commando success is the 2011 Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Yet every
day, in ways unknown outside their secretive world, commando teams perform missions like building
partner capacity and training foreign troops, hostage rescue attempts, humanitarian relief, tracking jihadi
financing and coordinating efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction…..
SOCom university opening new $43 million building
at MacDill
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Thursday, April 20, 2017 5:00am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/socom-university-opening-new-43-million-building-atmacdill/2320903
On Thursday morning, the new $43 million home of Joint Special Operations University opens on base
— six years after it came to Tampa and set up shop in a vacant bank building across the street from
MacDill's Dale Mabry gate.
SOCom commander Army Gen. Raymond A. "Tony" Thomas III was scheduled to preside over the
ceremonies.
Known as JSOU, the university offers 67 courses to more than 12,000 military students — 7,000 in
person and 5,000 online. The styudents are from the United States and allied countries, with subjects
focused on special operations topics, said Air Force Capt. Brian Wagner, a SOCom spokesman.
Moving the school onto the base gives students easy access to MacDill lodgings as well as SOCom
headquarters.
The new university has 16 classrooms, including an auditorium, seminar and lecture rooms, smaller
breakout rooms, a digital planning room. The building also houses a library and research center and the
SOCom historian's office.
The university has an annual budget of $15 million and offers an education found nowhere else in the
Department of Defense, Wagner said. Students include personnel working in special operations as well as
conventional forces supporting special operations…..
Patrick AFB
Monteith to lead 45th Space Wing another year
James Dean , FLORIDA TODAY9:58 p.m. ET April 15, 2017
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/04/15/monteith-lead-45th-space-wing-anotheryear/100458788/
Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith will serve a third year as commander of the Air Force’s 45th Space Wing,
continuing his leadership of efforts to ready the Eastern Range for an anticipated surge in launch activity
in the coming years.
Monteith, 58, was expected to wrap up a typical two-year command tour this summer. Instead, Gen. Jay
Raymond, the head of Air Force Space Command, recently asked him to stay on for another year in the
role known as "Shark One."
"So that we can continue pushing some of these initiatives forward that we’re working on," said Monteith.
Those are initiatives aimed at streamlining operations so that Cape Canaveral Air Force Station can
support at least 48 launches a year, up from roughly 30 projected this year and just 10 in 2011.
The Range, which is responsible for public safety during launches from the Cape, hopes soon to be able to
support two rocket launches within a day…..
Patrick AFB on short list for expansion
Dave Berman , FLORIDA TODAY, Published 4:46 p.m. ET April 18, 2017 | Updated 15 hours ago
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2017/04/18/patrick-afb-short-list-expansion-up-1200/100592146/
Patrick Air Force Base is in the running for a major expansion that could bring as many as 1,200 more
airmen to the Space Coast.
Patrick is one of eight bases the Air Force has put on a short list for its consolidated Battlefield Airman
Training Center.
The Air Force will pick one, two or three bases for its training center, according to Brevard County
Commission Chairman Curt Smith. Depending on how many sites are chosen, the winner or winners will
get 400 to 1,200 Air Force personnel.
The term Battlefield Airman covers a variety of special-operations-type positions such as pararescuemen
and combat controllers that require extensive training. Currently, airmen receive different parts of their
training at different bases around the country.
Smith said he believes Patrick has a good chance to be selected, considering its location and the local
facilities that are available for both land and water training.
He cited as examples Patrick's location near the Atlantic Ocean, and three rivers — the Banana, Indian
and St Johns — to practice water rescues in a variety of conditions and water depths. Additionally, Smith
said the Air Force has an underutilized Malabar Annex facility in Palm Bay, and the city of Palm Bay
would make its gun range police training complex available for Air Force training…..
Patrick military unit watches for North Korean
nuclear blasts
Rick Neale , FLORIDA TODAYPublished 4:56 p.m. ET April 19, 2017 | Updated 14 hours ago
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2017/04/19/brevard-airmen-watch-north-korean-nuclear-blasts/100560310/
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE — As the world awaits North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's next
military move, a secretive U.S. Air Force complex on the other side of the planet continues to monitor the
isolated nation for nuclear bomb tests.
Headquartered at Patrick Air Force Base, the Air Force Technical Applications Center operates and
maintains the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System. Operating on all seven continents, this $3 billion
surveillance network of more than 3,600 high-tech sensors — including seismic sensors, ocean
hydrophones and gamma detectors — identifies nuclear detonations underground, underwater, and in the
Earth’s atmosphere and space.
"AFTAC, and our squadron in particular, are ready to go all the time, 24/7. It doesn't matter what's
happening globally, what the specific circumstances are," said Lt. Col. Ehren Carl. He commands the
Technical Surveillance Squadron, a group of 70 airmen who analyze the incoming sensor data…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed Martin-Northrop Grumman joint venture
lands $10.7M contract in Orlando
Matthew Richardson, Reporter, Orlando Business Journal, Apr 14, 2017, 3:40pm EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/04/14/lockheed-martin-northrop-grumman-joint-venture.html
A joint-venture between Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. won a $10.7 million
contract on April 13, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Longbow LLC, the joint-venture defense company based in Orlando, will conduct Hellfire missile
engineering services for the U.S. Army. The contract has an April 12, 2018, completion date with work
being done in Orlando.
Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Falls Church, Va.-based Northrop Grumman
(NYSE: NOC) both have a major presence in Central Florida. Lockheed Martin, which has more than
7,000 Orlando workers, currently has nearly 600 jobs listed on its website. Northrop Grumman, which is
building a 500,000-square-foot business complex in Melbourne, plans to hire nearly 2,000 in the area
once that's completed and currently has more than 250 jobs available on its website.
Military contracts contribute to the local economy in the form of jobs and subcontractor opportunities,
and Central Florida is a major player when it comes to defense contracts.
The region snags about $4 billion in government contracts each year because the nation’s Army, Air
Force, Navy and Marines simulation operations are based in Central Florida Research Park. That work
helps make Orlando the modeling, simulation and training capital of the world, according to the Orlando
Economic Development Commission.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) Wins $100M Support
Contract for JASSM
by Zacks Equity Research Published on April 19, 2017
https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/256869/lockheed-martin-lmt-wins-100m-support-contract-for-jassm
Lockheed Martin Corp. has won a contract from the U.S. Air Force to support the production of Joint
Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).
The contract is valued at $100 million and was awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center,
Eglin Air Force Base, FL.
Per the contract, Lockheed Martin will provide lifecycle support for work related to JASSM, Long Range
Anti-Ship Missile (Air Force Inventory), JASSM-Extended Range and any JASSM variant to support
system upgrades, integration, production, sustainment, management and logistics.
The work is scheduled to be completed by Apr 17, 2022 and will be executed in Orlando, FL….
DoD Budget
Vice chairman makes case for Congress to pass
defense budget
by Jim Garamone, Defense Media Activity, Apr 13, 2017
http://fortcampbellcourier.com/news/article_633c8cae-208a-11e7-9a2a-0fd00b5ca1fb.html
ARLINGTON, Va. — Speaking at an Air Force Association breakfast today, the vice chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed his desire for Congress to approve the proposed Defense Department
budget and to not require the department to be funded through a continuing resolution.
Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva told breakfast attendees this is the ninth year that the department has
operated under a continuing resolution. The current continuing resolution runs out on April 28.
Continuing Resolutions
“This is the longest period in American history where the Congress has been unable to deliver a budget on
schedule,” Selva said. “We’ve had the longest period in American history where we have not complied
with constitutional budget order and we have the first administration in the history of the United States
that has transitioned under a continuing resolution.”
He said the congressional authorizing committees have done their jobs – they have passed legislation
giving the Defense Department the authorizations to recruit more members, buy more equipment, fund
more operations or build more capacity. But the appropriations committees – the committees that actually
put dollars to capabilities – have been deadlocked.
“If the appropriators do not fund the aspirational statements in the Authorization Act, they cannot become
reality,” Selva said. Extending the current continuing resolution does not help much, he added, because it
funds the department at last year’s levels.
Continuing resolutions are “destructive to the way we do business” at DOD, the general said.
Operating under continuing resolutions, he added, compels DOD to spend money on things it doesn’t
need and prevents it from spending money on things it does need.
Continuing Resolution Fears? OCO’s Ugly But It
Might Work
By MARK CANCIANon April 16, 2017 at 10:24 PM
http://breakingdefense.com/2017/04/continuing-resolution-fears-ocos-ugly-but-it-might-work/
Breaking Defense and other news outlets are full of dire warnings about Continuing Resolutions,
government shutdowns and budget disasters. The current CR for fiscal 2017 runs out on April 28, and
Congress needs to do something. The four service chiefs and other senior Defense Department officials
have decried the effects of another resolution, particularly if there were an unprecedented full-year CR.
Don’t believe the hype. It’s the money, not the mechanism that’s the real issue here. The Pentagon could
live with a full-year CR, but the lower level of funding would delay, or even thwart, the planned defense
buildup.
Republicans in Congress probably regret that they are in this position at all. The fiscal year began last
October with the usual short-term CR running until December. The Republican Congress, knowing that
Donald Trump had been elected president, opted to institute another CR into the spring when Republicans
would control both the Congress and the presidency. It sounded like a good idea at the time ― maybe
defense could get a better deal from Trump than from Obama ― but now they’ve added a budget crisis to
all of the other things going on at the beginning of the Trump administration — healthcare (or what
remains of it), tax reform, Supreme Court confirmations, a crisis in Syria and investigations into Russian
meddling in U.S. elections…..
APPROPRIATORS CLOSE TO FINAL DEAL ON
FY'17 OMNIBUS
Dan Cohen, “On Base” 20 April 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/appropriators-close-to-final-deal-on-fy17-omnibus?e=28cebe069c
Republican and Democratic appropriators hope to reach a deal on a fiscal 2017 spending package by
Friday, leaving both houses part of one work week to clear an 11-bill omnibus before a continuing
resolution (CR) runs out April 28. Democrats now are awaiting a GOP response regarding all outstanding
issues involved in the negotiations, reports CQ Roll Call. Several aides said Friday was not a hard
deadline for reaching a final agreement, although any further delay likely would require lawmakers to
pass another short-term CR.
It appears the spending package could include an additional $15 billion for DOD in its overseas
contingency operations account, with Democrats demanding a corresponding increase in non-defense
emergency funds. The package most likely won’t include President Trump’s request for more than $1
billion to build a border wall, a move which would have drawn Democratic opposition to the measure.
April 28
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #54 will be in-person on Thursday, 18 May 2017,
beginning at 9:00AM at the Residence Inn, 600 W. Gaines Street, Tallahassee FL 32304.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. JAX F-35 Community Event – The Florida National Guard held a Community Event at
125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville International Airport on Friday, April 21, 2017. The
event was well attended and provided all attendees an opportunity to view the 125th and
its facilities. The F-35 simulator was a big draw and helped attendees get a good feel for
the difference between the F-15 and the latest fighter technology. Task Force member
Bill Dudley as well as Bruce Grant and Terry McCaffrey attended the event that
showcased the 125th FW as a prime unit/location to base Air Guard F-35s in the future
(see articles below in the clips).
4. New Task Force Member – We are happy to announce that Senate President Joe Negron
appointed Maj Gen Richard “Beef” Haddad, USAF (ret) to the Task Force on 25 April
2017 for a four-year term (appointment letter attached). Gen Haddad served more than
35 years in uniform culminating as Vice Commander, Air Force Reserve Command,
Robins AFB GA and retired in the Tampa area in October 2016. Gen Haddad served
more than 25 years of his USAF career in Florida (largely at Hurlburt and Eglin AFB)
and has extensive operational and staff experience in military aviation and Special
Operations as well as senior leadership positions in combat and peacetime (see attached
bio). Staff continues to work with the Governor and House appointment offices to fill
our last two vacant positions.
5. Military / Veteran Related Bills – Status of all Mil / Vet related bills listed by last date
of action is attached. To review or track House Bills (HB), go to
www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB), go to www.flsenate.gov. For both
sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if you would like a more in-depth
review.
6. Attachments:
 Thank you letter from USCG Ship-Valiant
 Maj Gen Haddad Appointment Letter – Senate
 Maj Gen Haddad Bio
 Military / Veteran Legislation Status
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
Gulf Range
Trump Is Expected to Sign Orders That Could
Expand Access to Fossil Fuels
By CORAL DAVENPORT, APRIL 25, 2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/25/us/politics/national-monuments-energydrilling.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-columnregion&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=1
WASHINGTON – After moving last month against Barack Obama’s efforts to limit fossil fuel
exploration and combat climate change, President Trump will complete his effort to overturn
environmental policy this week, signing two executive orders to expand offshore drilling and roll back
conservation on public lands.
On Wednesday, Mr. Trump will sign an executive order directing his interior secretary, Ryan Zinke, to
review national monuments designated by previous presidents under the Antiquities Act of 1906, aiming
to roll back the borders of protected lands and open them to drilling, mining and logging.
The president is then expected to follow up on Friday with another executive order aimed at opening up
protected waters in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans to offshore drilling. The order would direct Mr. Zinke
to revisit an Obama administration plan that would have put those waters off limits to drilling through
2022. Friday’s order is also expected to call for the lifting of a permanent ban on drilling in an area
including many of those same waters — a measure Mr. Obama issued in December 2016 in a last-ditch
effort to protect his environmental legacy from his drilling-enthusiast successor.
The moves — just before Mr. Trump’s 100th day in office — would begin to fulfill a central campaign
promise to unleash a wave of new oil and gas drilling and create thousands of jobs in energy.
The reality is more complicated, experts in the law, policy and economics of energy said. The orders are
not likely to lead either to significant new energy development or to job creation in the near future. With
oil prices around $50 a barrel and production already glutting world markets, few oil companies are
making plans to expand into costlier, riskier offshore drilling…..
Awaiting Trump executive order, Bill Nelson files bill
to block more oil drilling
Posted by Amy Sherman on Thursday, Apr. 27, 2017 at 6:53 PM in Bill Nelson | Permalink
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2017/04/awaiting-trump-executive-order-bill-nelson-files-bill-toblock-more-oil-drilling.html
WASHINGTON - In a pre-emptive strike, Sen. Bill Nelson and other Democrats today
filed legislation to block the Trump administration from opening up additional areas to offshore drilling.
“Drilling near Florida’s coast poses a direct threat to Florida’s environment and multi-billion-dollar,
tourism-driven economy,” Nelson said in a statement.
The action comes a day before President Trump is expected to sign an executive order calling for a review
of drilling. Nelson says that would require the Interior Department to alter the current five-year oil and
gas leasing plan that took effect earlier this year and expires in 2022. That plan prohibits oil and gas
drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico or off the Atlantic Coast.
The new legislation would prohibit changes to the current plan. Nelson had previously filed legislation to
extend the ban to 2027.
Florida National Guard
F-35 fighter possibly to be based in Jacksonville
Jeff Valin, WTLV 6:43 PM. EDT April 21, 2017
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/f-35-fighter-possibly-to-be-based-in-jacksonville/433184734
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter might be coming to the Florida Air National
Guard wing at Jacksonville International Airport, and local military officials say the wing's future could
be nose-up or nose-down depending on that decision.
"The wing itself represents a $100 million economic impact to the city of Jacksonville," Major General
Michael Calhoun told First Coast News on Friday. Calhoun said a lot of the jobs at the wing rely on the
F-15 Eagle aircraft currently based there, and many of those jobs - as well as dollars - would leave the
area if the F-15 is mothballed, as some anticipate.
"With conversations of the F-15 possibly being replaced, we need another technology that will
complement or replace the one thousand full-time active air members that we have here in support," he
contended, adding that the arrival of the F-35 would bring about 200 more jobs, in contrast to the void
accompanying the loss of the F-15.
The F-35 is touted for its versatility, featuring a combined cutting-edge ability to engage in aerial combat
as well as attack ground targets with bombs. But it's also been ballyhooed on both sides of the aisle in
Congress for its cost; even President Trump has hinted at scrapping the plane for alternative strategies.
But Brigadier General Brian Simpler, who serves as assistant Adjutant General to Major General Calhoun
at the wing, said that reality dictates a need for the expenditure, regardless of where the F-35 calls
home….
Officials get close-up look at Jacksonville’s Air
National Guard ahead of F-35 selection committee
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted April 21, 2017 06:36 pm
http://jacksonville.com/news/military/2017-04-21/officials-get-close-look-jacksonville-s-air-national-guardahead-f-35
The real show will start Tuesday when the official basing survey begins to determine which of five
possible locations will receive one of two squadrons of F-35 Lightning II fighters. The bases were
whittled down in December from an original pool of 18 potential landing spots announced last year.
Jacksonville missed out in 2013 when Burlington, Vt., was selected as the first National Guard post in the
country to be awarded the F-35s.
Community and state leaders got the red carpet treatment Friday with a full presentation and tour of the
125th Fighter Wing. The show concluded with a group of F-15 Eagles taking off while the audience
watched from the flight line.
“It’s really kind of silly that anyone else is being considered,” Maj. Jonathan Kassebaum said confidently.
He pointed to the location of the base — at Jacksonville International Airport — as a major reason the
facility should make the cut. Proximity to the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Atlantic Ocean are beneficial
selling points for training purposes, he said, and Jacksonville being a city that embraces its military
presence is another bonus…..
Sonic Boom: An inside look at who's protecting the air
when President Trump visits Mar-a-Lago
Charles Keegan, 11:00 PM, Apr 27, 2017
http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/sonic-boom-an-inside-look-at-whosprotecting-the-air-when-president-trump-visits-mar-a-lago
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. - Every time President Donald Trump visits Palm Beach,
there is a special group ready to launch into action from the sky to ward off any potential threats.
NewsChannel 5 went inside the cockpit for an exclusive look at what kind of training it takes to keep all
of us safe.
When the alarm sounds, pilots at Homestead Air Reserve Base are ready for anything.
“We are on alert 365 days a year,” explained Captain Brannon Ferguson, the operations director for the
Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing, detachment 1 based at Homestead.
That alert is heightened by presidential motorcades, checkpoints and restrictions. All of which is part of
the new normal in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.
The people who live, work and visit the area are forced to adapt to the new rules regulating the roads,
water and air when President Trump visits.
Particularly in the air, the Federal Aviation Administration places restrictions around the President’s
home. No plane is allowed within one nautical mile of Mar-a-Lago, and there are varying rules within
buffer zones that extend 35 miles from Mar-a-Lago.
During the President Trump’s first seven visits to the “Southern White House” after his inauguration, the
FAA reports 52 planes violated the air restrictions in place…..
BRAC
NEXT BRAC WILL BE LESS SERVICE-CENTRIC,
TURNER SAYS
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, April 27, 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252709?e=28cebe069c
The next BRAC round will be less defined by what service an installation is assigned to, Ohio Rep.
Michael Turner (R), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, told a coalition of nearly
130 civic and business leaders visiting Washington for the Dayton Development Coalition’s annual fly-in.
“We usually look at BRAC as a winning opportunity for our community,” Turner said. “I do believe that
this BRAC will be not just Air Force to Air Force. It will be inter-service.”
As a result, Turner said Dayton’s Wright-Patterson AFB will be competing with installations from other
services to attract new missions and retain existing ones. “We need to be looking as a community at ways
in which we can enhance opportunities … so we can partner with other service branches,” he said,
reported the Dayton Daily News.
Turner told the delegation to be prepared for Congress to authorize a round of base closures in 2020.
NAS Pensacola
Blue Angels, Thunderbirds team up in Pensacola
Melissa Nelson Gabriel , [email protected] 9:24 a.m. CT April 24, 2017 | Updated 15 hours ago
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2017/04/24/blue-angels-thunderbirds-team-up-pensacola-week/100837304/
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds landed in the Cradle of Naval Aviation on Monday for a rare joint
training with the Navy's Blue Angels.
"I feel like a little kid right now, standing out here with the Thunderbirds flying overhead, watching them
park their jets and getting to shake their hands," Navy Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi, the commander of the Blue
Angels, said after welcoming the Nevada-based Thunderbirds to Pensacola.
The eight Air Force F-16 pilots and more than 50 other officers and support staff from the Thunderbirds
will join the six F/A-18 Blue Angels pilots and support staff at Naval Air Station Pensacola through
Wednesday.
The U.S. military's two elite fighter jet demonstration teams are seldom in the same place at the same
time. Under Department of Defense guidelines, the two teams are not allowed to perform at the same air
shows because the military wants to cover as much recruiting territory as possible by using both teams in
different locations throughout the year. The two teams haven't been in Pensacola together for more than
15 years……
STATE AWARDS $217,000 GRANT TO
PENSACOLA LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT
PULSE STAFF, APRIL 25, 2017
http://pulsegulfcoast.com/2017/04/state-awards-217000-grant-pensacola-living-shoreline-project
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has awarded more than $217,000 in RESTORE
grant funding for the Pensacola Bay Living Shoreline Project.
Officials said the funding will support the first phase of planning, engineering, design and permitting of
the environmental restoration project, which includes placing 24,800 linear feet of rock and oyster reef
breakwater and planting 205 acres of emergent marsh and submerged aquatic vegetation habitat at three
sites: one adjacent to White Island in northwestern Pensacola Bay, and the other two on the eastern and
southern shores of Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Living shorelines address erosion by providing long-term protection, reducing wave energy and restoring
vegetated shoreline habitats through strategic placement of plants, rock and oyster reefs. Living shorelines
also stabilize sediment, improve water quality, and enhance habitats for oysters, fish, shrimp, crabs, birds,
sea turtles and other estuarine species.
“Investing in projects like this are important to our coastal estuaries,” said Drew Bartlett, DEP deputy
secretary for ecosystem restoration. “In addition to providing natural shoreline protection, it also creates
habitats necessary for the variety of wildlife in Pensacola Bay, and subsequently the industries that
depend on them.”
Funding for the first phase of this project was received through the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Council’s Funded Priorities List. The 2012 RESTORE Act provides a vehicle for Clean Water Act civil
and administrative penalties from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to be distributed to affected Gulf Coast
states.
Hurlburt Field
Airmen awarded with Air Force's highest combat
medal at Hurlburt Field
by David Gonzalez, Thursday, April 20th 2017
http://weartv.com/news/local/airmen-awarded-with-air-forces-highest-combat-medal-at-hurlburt-field
(WEAR) — For the first time in history, two Special Tactics airmen received the Air Force's highest
combat medal at the same time.
A symbolic flyover by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds kicked off a special ceremony at
Hurlburt Field to honor two airmen for their heroic actions against enemy fighters in Afghanistan.
Each Special Tactics airman is receiving the Air Force Cross.
It's the Air Force's highest combat medal and second highest military decoration for valor in the U.S.
General David Goldfein, 21st Chief of Staff of the Air Force said, "You do what others cannot or will not
do and you do it because it must be done and because there's no one better."
In March 2002, retired Master Sergeant Keary Miller helped care for critically wounded U.S. service
members during a 17-hour battle against Al Qaeda forces.
Eleven years later and more than 100 miles north of Miller's mission, Staff Sergeant Chris Baradat
precisely directed 13 500-pound bombs and more than 1,100 rounds of ammunition during three hours of
intense fighting against the Taliban in a steep valley, contributing to the safety of 150 troops and
destruction of 50 enemy and 13 separate enemy fighting positions.
Gen. Goldfein said, "I'd like to say these events and your actions are remarkable because I truly feel that
to be the case. However, I doubt you'd both agree. I suspect you'd say you did your job. Why? Because."
He said both men represent the finest traits Americans can ask of its warriors.
"As your chief I cannot be more proud to have served with you and for the unforgettable honor to present
you with the Air Force Cross," Gen. Goldfein said…..
Residents: U.S. 98 construction project creating
headaches for subdivision
by Christopher Saul,
http://weartv.com/news/local/residents-us-98-construction-project-creating-headaches-for-subdivision
MARY ESTHER, Fla. (WEAR) — As more and more people move to northwest Florida traffic,
especially around military bases, becomes an issue. Homeowners near one base say a recent road
improvement has made it harder for them to get out of their driveways and neighborhoods.
The overpass near Hurlburt Field keeps traffic flowing west of Fort Walton Beach.
It's by far the busiest road in the southern part of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) relieved some of the traffic jams with a flyover bridge
in 2015, but the increase in speed hasn't been great for everyone; especially during the morning and
evening commutes. Every morning traffic flowing onto Hurlburt Field makes it nearly impossible for
resident's north of Highway 98 to get on the highway to travel east. The evenings, they say, are even
worse. Residents cannot go east or west because of the traffic heading west from Hurlburt…..
Eglin AFB
Hospital at Eglin Air Force Base named best in the Air
Force
By: Christopher Diamond, April 20, 2017
https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/hospital-at-eglin-air-force-base-named-best-in-the-air-force
The hospital at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base has been named best in the entire force for the second time
in three years, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News.
Eglin Hospital, the Air Force 96th Medical Group’s main facility, received the Hospital of the Year
Award again despite undergoing renovation and construction. But Air Force Col. Mark Batcho, the
hospital’s administrator, believes the challenges the facility and its staff have faced from the construction
work has actually made his team work harder.
“It’s like a lot of us; when folks face challenges, they get really productive,” Batcho said. “We try to do as
much as we can with the capabilities that we have."
While serving both active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents, the facility also is
partnered with the nearby Eglin Veterans Affairs Clinic.
“They are all beneficiaries; they have all served,” Batcho said. “When we can partner with them [and
offer] procedures where they have demand and we have supply, we are happy to be able to do that."
Eglin's Environmental named Best In DOD
By Mike Spaits, Team Eglin Public Affairs / Published April 24, 2017
http://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1159228/eglins-environmental-named-best-in-dod/
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The Department of Defense announced April 21, Eglin Air Force
Base was named winner of the 2017 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award for Sustainability.
The award is given to the installation that best extends the longevity of its resources by preventing, or
eliminating pollution at the source and practicing efficiency and sustainability in the use of raw materials,
energy, waste or other resources. Sustainable practices ensure the protection of valuable resources that
are critical to mission success.
This is the sixth DoD environmental award Eglin won in the last seven years.
"Being recognized six times out of the last seven years as the best in the Department of Defense reflects
the truly exceptional team we have guiding Eglin's environmental stewardship. I couldn't be more proud
of them, for their service and for demonstrating the complementary nature of our military mission and
environmental conservation," said Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano, 96th Test Wing commander.
"This team is truly a global leader in environmental and energy management," he said.
Eglin’s environmental team displayed environmental leadership by recycling or reusing municipal solid
waste, pursuing alternative energy sources, enhancing the prescribed burn program, and achieving
designation as a clean and resilient installation.
The Eglin Environmental division consists of more than 80 biologists, scientists, foresters, fire
management specialists and engineers. They are responsible for managing a remarkable assemblage of
biodiversity of distinct natural community types, the largest forested military reservation, and over
120,000 square miles of water ranges while enabling essential DoD missions…..
The Air Force is preparing to test a laser cannon on its
'Ultimate Battle Plane'
Jared Keller, Task & Purpose, Apr. 21, 2017, 10:27 AM
http://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-preparing-test-laser-cannon-ultimate-battle-plane-2017-4
Ever since the Air Force announced the development of the AC-130J Ghostrider to replace older
generations of Lockheed Martin’s reliable fixed-wing gunship, Air Force Special Operations Command
just can’t seem to resist slapping more guns on the thing.
In 2015, AFSOC added a 105mm cannon — basically a howitzer normally reserved for armored ground
vehicles — to the rear of the vessel at the insistence of former chief Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold,
supplementing the AC-130’s current arsenal of AGM-176A Griffin missiles, GBU-30 bombs, and a preexisting 30mm cannon — making the gunship the most heavily armed in the Pentagon’s arsenal.
“We’ve got a bomb truck with guns on it now,” Heithold told Air Force Times in 2015, dubbing the
Ghostrider “the ultimate battle plane.”
While AFSOC only got its hands on its first AC-130J gunship in October 2016, flown from Hurlburt
Field to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to test out that brutal 105mm cannon, Air Force officials are most
excited about the Ghostrider’s other big gun: a frickin’ laser beam……
Tyndall AFB
Tyndall Air Force Base hosts 2017 Gulf Coast Salute
By Riliegh McHugh | Posted: Sat 11:31 PM, Apr 22, 2017
http://www.wjhg.com/content/news/Tyndall-Air-Base-hosts-2017-Gulf-Coast-Salute--420166213.html
TYNDALL AIR FORCE, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The United States Air Force turns 70 this year and to
celebrate, Tyndall Air Force Base hosted Air Combat Command's Flagship event: the air show.
"We've got a ton of static displays for people to walk around and see, all the great airplanes here on the
ramp that have come in from out of town, plus some of our local airplanes also. And as you can hear in
the background we've got acts going on," said 325th Operations Group Commander Bobby Davis.
The air show started with quite the entrance. The Army's parachute team, the Golden Knights, jumped
12,000 feet onto the tarmac to open the event. The Golden Knights are the Army's only official
demonstration team.
"Being overseas in combat there's nothing better than having the American public send us those care
packages and now, as a Golden Knight, we can go to the air show and shake those hands with each and
every one of them that have probably, some point in their life done something to send it overseas to make
our lives better, during that time frame, " said Sergeant First Class Richard Sloan.
The aerial acts were awe-inspiring and impressive. Sergeant Sloan says hosting an air show of this
magnitude is no simple task.
"The complexities of what it takes to put on such an event like this, there are so many moving parts, just
as in overseas when they're fighting for their country. It's not just one person. The Air Force, the Army,
the Marines, the Navy, even the Coast Guard, come together to protect our country. That's what you're
seeing before you here. Except in a different fashion and they're giving back to the American public," said
Sergeant Sloan.
The 2017 Gulf Coast Salute will last through Sunday at Tyndall Air Force Base.
Camp Blanding
North Florida Land Trust working to get O2O
Corridor designated as a Sentinel Landscape
Press release from: North Florida Land Trust, PR Agency: Client Focused Media
http://www.openpr.com/news/516178/North-Florida-Land-Trust-working-to-get-O2O-Corridor-designated-as-aSentinel-Landscape.html
Jacksonville, Fla., April 25, 2017 – North Florida Land Trust has partnered with 12 organizations,
including federal and state agencies and other non-profits, to work towards a goal of having the Ocala to
Osceola, or O2O wildlife corridor, federally designated as a Sentinel Landscape. A Sentinel Landscape is
a working or natural land that is important to the nation’s defense mission. The O2O corridor stretches
from the Ocala National Forest to the Osceola National Forest with Camp Blanding forming the central
link in the corridor.
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership was established by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Defense
and Interior to promote natural resource sustainability and the preservation of agricultural and
conservation lands around military installations. Many military installations have had to shut down or
significantly decrease training because of conflicts with development around the installation. Preserving
farms, working forests and natural areas near military installations, can also preserve the military’s
mission.
“There are numerous benefits to having this land designated through the Sentinel Landscape Partnership
for Camp Blanding, the community and the environment,” said Jim McCarthy, president of North Florida
Land Trust. “It will create a protection for military missions, as well as the habitat and wildlife that moves
through the corridor. For farmers and ranchers, the partnership will give their lands an extra layer of
protection from development.”….
NS Mayport
Coast Guard’s Jacksonville sector leadership changes
hands
By Scott Butler, Posted April 21, 2017 04:15 pm
http://jacksonville.com/news/public-safety/2017-04-21/coast-guard-s-jacksonville-sector-leadership-changeshands
A deputy assistant commandant from the U.S. Coast Guard’s headquarters is now heading up the
Jacksonville sector.
During a ceremony Friday at Mayport Naval Station, Capt. Todd Wiemers accepted a transfer of
command from Capt. Jeffrey Dixon with Rear Adm. Scott Buschman presiding, according to the Coast
Guard.
Dixon served as commanding officer since June 2015 in the Coast Guard for 27 years.
“I am extremely excited to come to the Jacksonville area,” Wiemers said. “I cannot wait to get to work
here to ensure Northeast Florida continues to receive top-notch support from their Coast Guard.”
Afterward the Coast Guard paid tribute to Dixon during a retirement ceremony.
“It’s been an honor for me to serve in this amazing organization,” Dixon said. “I am truly grateful to
everyone for all the support over the years, as well as to all the fantastic Coast Guardsmen with whom
I’ve worked.”
NAS Jacksonville
New helo landing area opens at NAS Jax
By Kaylee LaRocque, Posted: Wed, 04/26/2017 - 1:39pm
http://jaxairnews.jacksonville.com/military-jax-air-news/2017-04-26/story/new-helo-landing-area-opens-nas-jax
NAS Jacksonville Public Affairs Officer – Two new helicopter landing pads at Naval Air Station
Jacksonville opened April 20 with a section takeoff of two MH-60R “Romeo” helicopters from
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons 72 and 74.
As the helicopter pilots taxied out to the new area located just east of the air traffic control tower, a small
group of Sailors, civilians and contractors cheered them on.
The pilots hovered their aircraft and rotated 180 degrees before taking off for a quick flight before
returning to the landing pads.
“We started working on this project in November 2015 to move the landing pads from the southern end of
the seawall to this new area,” said NAS Jacksonville Operations Officer Cmdr. Stephen Polk.
“We had been operating in the previous location under a 47-year waiver because the helo pads were
situated in an aircraft parking apron. When the project came up to add an additional parking area here, we
requested to change the improvement plan to create these two helo landing pads.”
The project, which cost nearly $8 million, consists of 10-inch thick concrete to sustain the weight of any
helicopter in the Navy’s inventory. The new location significantly improves safety for air traffic
controllers and fuel handlers on the flight line….
US Southern Command
Southcom Commander: Evolving Threats Require
Unified Approach
EIN NEWS, A Service For Professionals • Tuesday, April 25, 2017
http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/377686117/southcom-commander-evolving-threats-require-unified-approach
COZUMEL, Mexico, April 24, 2017 — The evolving security challenges in Central America are
threatening the security beyond the region and demand a unified approach, the commander of U.S.
Southern Command said at the Central America Security Conference here today.
"The threats that we face have evolved, which means our partnerships must, as well," Navy Adm. Kurt
W. Tidd said at the start of the two-day meeting, adding, "It’s safe to say that the security environment
that we face today is unlike any that we have seen previously."
The conference, co-hosted by the United States and Mexico, brought chiefs of defense and ministers of
defense from Central America, plus observers from Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic
and Great Britain. Panama and Costa Rica sent public security representatives.
Participants are discussing ways to increase cooperation and strengthen relations to best address
challenges that include humanitarian crises and the evolving transnational threats of extremism and
criminal networks.
"From natural disasters that impact our communities, to potential terrorists transiting our countries, to
violent criminal networks harming our citizens, our shared security interests with Mexico and with
Central America run deep," Tidd said.
The admiral noted that he and the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S.
Northern Command, Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson, who is to deliver closing remarks tomorrow,
represent only one U.S., government agency: the Defense Department. However, he said, addressing the
threats requires a multiagency approach -- a focus supported in the U.S. government through diplomatic
and law-enforcement efforts…..
Defense Industry
Boeing hits back on F-15C retirement proposal
By: Valerie Insinna, April 21, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/boeing-hits-back-on-f-15c-retirementproposal?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DFN%20DNR%204.21.17&utm_term=Edito
rial%20-%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force is contemplating a controversial proposal to retire its fleet of air
superiority F-15C/D Eagles sometime after 2020, but manufacturer Boeing says the service has already
put the jets on a path that will keep them in service and relevant into the 2030s.
By replacing the aircraft’s longerons — the thin strips of material that make up the skeleton of an aircraft
— the Air Force can extend the life of the F-15C/D past 2030 for about $1 million per aircraft, Boeing’s
vice president of F-15 programs, Steve Parker, said during an April 17 interview.
“So from a taxpayer perspective, it’s very cost effective,” Parker said. “It’s a conservative number. And
also from our perspective, at a time when the Air Force is talking about the need to maintain capacity and
capability, this maintains capacity and it provides the capability that the Eagle is known for.”
While Air Force officials maintain that no final decision has been made about the future of the F-15C/D,
Boeing stands to lose millions of dollars in upgrade work if the service decides to shelve its Eagles
instead of modernizing them. In turn, the F-15C/D’s retirement would be a boon to Lockheed Martin,
which could step in to provide upgrades like new radars for F-16s that would replace the Eagle
throughout the Air Force’s active duty and Air National Guard fleet…..
Under Trump, use of contractors in war zone
diminishing
BY SOFREP 04.27.2017#MILITARY NEWS
HTTPS://SOFREP.COM/80092/TRUMP-USE-CONTRACTORS-WAR-ZONE-DIMINISHING/
Despite the wars in the Middle East showing no signs of slowing down, what is beginning to wane is the
US government’s reliance on contractors to help. The Defense Department is using thousands of fewer
military contractors in the early days of the Trump administration than at the end of the Obama
presidency.
With the draw-down in the military, many in the Pentagon want the jobs to go to active duty soldiers,
sailors, airmen or Marines as the feeling is, the use of contractors undercuts the military.
Whether or not the numbers stay low under a Trump administration remains to be seen. At least early in
his presidency, he’s been much less restrictive about deploying conventional troops to the fray and then
recently deployed 400 more Rangers and Marines to Syria where 1000 contractors now work along with
1000 Special Operations Forces….
DoD Budget
DOUBTS SURFACE OVER POTENTIAL FOR
SIGNIFICANT JUMP IN DEFENSE SPENDING
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 28 Apr 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252717?e=28cebe069c
Frustration has started to set in among defense advocates in Congress and industry over the obstacles
in achieving the military buildup President Trump promised before and after last November’s election.
“Clearly, I think people have dialed back some of the initially exuberant expectations because getting
things done in D.C. is hard and the Budget Control Act is still the law of the land,” Roman Schweizer,
an analyst with the Cowen Washington Research Group, told Politico.
It appears the president’s request for $30 billion in supplemental defense spending for fiscal 2017 will
be trimmed in the yearend spending package lawmakers still are hashing out, with the Pentagon
receiving only $15 billion in extra spending to address readiness shortfalls. And many hawks have
slammed the administration’s $603 billion proposal for FY 2018 for falling short of what is needed.
“I’d say the mood is dampening but not dimming quite yet,” said Mackenzie Eaglen, a resident fellow
at the American Enterprise Institute. “For now, it’s a hopeful wait-and-see, especially for the 2018
budget details. But if those disappoint come May, as I expect they will, then it will be a very different
tune sung at that time.”
Other Of Interest
31 House Democrats urge Senate to reject Trump's
Army secretary pick due to 'history of homophobia'
by Travis J. Tritten | Apr 27, 2017, 10:48 AM
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/31-house-democrats-urge-senate-to-reject-trumps-army-secretary-pick-dueto-history-ofhomophobia/article/2621446?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%204.28.2017&utm
_term=Editorial%20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
House Democrats are accusing President Trump's pick for Army secretary of having a "history of
homophobia and transphobia" that should disqualify him.
A group of 31 lawmakers is asking the Senate Armed Services Committee to reject the nomination of
Tennessee state Sen. Mark Green. They sent a letter to the chairman, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., this
week arguing that the former Army special operations flight surgeon cannot properly represent the
service.
"LGBT soldiers are willing to make tremendous sacrifices to protect our rights and freedoms," wrote the
lawmakers, who won't have any vote in Green's confirmation. "It would be deeply disrespectful to their
service to appoint a secretary of the Army whose history of homophobia and transphobia makes it clear
that he is not willing to do the same for them."
Green has also drawn fire from liberal civil rights advocacy groups and transgender reality TV star
Caitlyn Jenner for comments he made over the past five years as a conservative Christian lawmaker in
Nashville.
He responded on Facebook this week denying he disparaged any minority groups, blaming liberals for
twisting his words and targeting him for being a Christian. Green also pledged to keep politics out of his
service for the Army in an earlier written statement…..
May 4
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #54 will be in-person on Thursday, 18 May 2017,
beginning at 9:00AM at the Residence Inn, 600 W. Gaines Street, Tallahassee FL
32304. If you have not yet RSVPed, please send your response for lodging and lunch to
Michelle ASAP.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Administration Authorizes New Oil Exploration Rules – Last Friday, 28 Apr 2017,
President Trump signed an executive order (attached) authorizing new exploration and
drilling in U.S. waters. The order does not include potential exploration in the eastern
Gulf of Mexico. Some members of the Florida CODEL including Sen Nelson, Rep Vern
Buchanan and Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz are concerned that this is a first step in
opening additional areas including the eastern Gulf of Mexico and have voiced
considerable opposition. In addition, Rep Wasserman Schultz is introducing new
legislation to protect the Gulf waters off of Florida. Also attached is the 26 Apr 2017
response from OSD P&R to Rep Matt Gaetz’s March 24th letter acknowledging that DoD
“cannot overstate the vital importance of maintaining this moratorium” (see multiple
articles below in the clips).
4. FY17 Budget Omnibus – Congress is finalizing a bipartisan Omnibus budget deal that
continues the Government for the rest of the Federal FY (thru September). The bill
increases DoD spending by $19.9B above the prior administration’s CR level passed in
2016. See the FY17 Omnibus Summary (attached) to view new DoD funds included for
military pay, O&M, R&D, procurement, health and family programs, and force structure
(see multiple articles below in the clips).
5. Military / Veteran Related Bills – Florida Session will be extended as the two houses
failed to get budget deal completed on time. Status of all Mil / Vet related bills listed by
last date of action is attached. Although the attached wrap up includes a large number of
bills, it appears very few will actually survive sessions end in the few couple days. To
review or track House Bills (HB), go to www.myfloridahouse.gov; for Senate Bills (SB),
go to www.flsenate.gov. For both sites, insert the bill number at the top of the page if
you would like a more in-depth review.
6. Attachments:
 Executive Order on Offshore Energy Strategy
 OSD P&R Response to Rep. Gaetz
 FY17 Omnibus Summary - DoD
 TPG Bi-weekly Conference Call Memo
 TPG End of Month Report
 Military / Veteran Legislation Status
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
Gulf Ranges / Oil
Trump's offshore drilling order met by mostly
criticism in Florida
By BRUCE RITCHIE, 04/28/17 07:32 PM EDT
http://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/04/28/trumps-offshore-drilling-order-met-by-criticism-praise111647
TALLAHASSEE — President Donald Trump's executive order on Friday calling for a review of areas
for possible new offshore oil drilling was criticized by a few Florida politicians and environmentalists but
praised by energy interests.
The order specifies reviews of areas that included the South Atlantic Ocean area, which extends south to
near Cape Canaveral. The order also specifies only the western and central Gulf of Mexico for review, but
offers discretion to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review all areas of outer continental shelf, including
the eastern Gulf.
U. S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a Democrat from St. Petersburg, asked Trump to reverse course and put "the
well-being of our coastal communities above oil industry profits."
And Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican from Miami, said Gulf drilling poses a risk to Florida…..
Pentagon wants to maintain current moratorium on
offshore drilling in Gulf of Mexico
Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer, Monday, May 1, 2017 5:02pm
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/pentagon-wants-to-maintain-current-moratorium-onoffshore-drilling-in-gulf/2322320
The Pentagon says maintaining the current moratorium on oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico
beyond 2022 is “essential for developing and sustaining our nation's future combat capabilities,"
according to a letter sent to U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach.
The Department of Defense "cannot overstate the vital importance of maintaining this moratorium,”
Anthony M. Kurta, the acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, wrote in the letter,
released Monday by Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's office.
In 2006, Nelson and then-Sen. Mel Martinez, a Republican, successfully brokered a deal to ban oil
drilling off much of Florida’s Gulf Coast through most of 2022. As a result, there is currently a nodrilling zone that extends 125 miles off much of Florida’s Gulf Coast and as far as 235 miles at some
points to protect vital military training areas in the eastern Gulf until June 30, 2022.
Even as President Donald Trump was signing an executive order encouraging an expansion of offshore
drilling, Florida lawmakers from both parties have filed legislation to extend by five years a ban on oil
drilling off much of Florida’s Gulf coast until 2027……
Buchanan, Wasserman Schultz want Gulf oil drilling
ban expanded
Alex Leary, Times Washington Bureau Chief, Monday, May 1, 2017 12:00pm
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/buchanan-wasserman-schultz-want-gulf-oil-drilling-banexpanded/2322271
WASHINGTON - Florida Reps. Vern Buchanan and Debbie Wasserman Schultz have joined the fight
against a Trump administration push to expand offshore oil drilling.
The Florida lawmakers today announced legislation that would extend by five years a ban on oil drilling
off much of Florida’s Gulf coast until 2027, five years long than the current agreement ending in June
2022. Sen. Bill Nelson has pushed for the same.
The legislation also makes the oil company responsible for a spill pay for cleanup efforts and provides
grant funding to states,” according to a release. “Currently oil companies are only held accountable for oil
spill cleanup if the oil is transported in a single-hull vessel.”
Said Buchanan: “Florida’s beaches are vital to our economy and way of life,” Buchanan said. “Our
coastal communities depend on a clean and healthy ocean.”
Political, industry response to Trump oil drilling
review focuses on Florida's Gulf waters
By BRUCE RITCHIE, 05/01/17 08:26 PM EDT
http://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/05/01/political-industry-response-to-trump-oil-drilling-reviewfocuses-on-floridas-gulf-waters-111708
TALLAHASSEE — Sen. Bill Nelson on Monday emphasized Pentagon opposition to Gulf oil drilling as
an industry representative sought to downplay such concerns.
Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for a review of areas for possible
new offshore oil drilling. The order offers discretion to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to review all areas
of outer continental shelf, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico and Florida's northern Atlantic coast.
Nelson said he received on Monday an April 26 letter from a Pentagon official to U. S. Rep. Matt Gaetz
raising concerns about the effect on training missions in the eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida, where
there is a moratorium on drilling and related activities.
The letter was sent in response to a March 27 letter from Gaetz, a Republican from Shalimar, and other
members of the congressional delegation raising concerns about the threat of drilling to military missions.
"The moratorium is essential for developing and sustaining our nation's future combat capabilities," wrote
A.M. Kurta, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
Kurta also wrote that the question had arisen whether the moratorium includes geological and geophysical
survey activities. In comments from the Senate floor, Nelson said he will work with Republican and
Democratic delegation members to clarify that issue.
Nelson said Florida can't stand drilling off its coast because of the threat to military training for the F-35
fighter and to Florida's tourism economy. Nelson recalled oil-coated Panhandle beaches following the
2010 BP oil spill hundreds of miles away…..
U.S. House bill would extend oil drilling ban in
Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Ledyard King, USA TODAY Network - Florida10:41 p.m. ET May 1, 2017
http://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/01/us-house-bill-would-extend-oil-drilling-ban-eastern-gulfmexico/101186238/
WASHINGTON — Two Florida lawmakers Monday introduced a bill to extend an oil drilling ban in the
Eastern Gulf of Mexico through 2027, days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to
begin ramping up off-shore drilling nationwide.
Republican Vern Buchanan, who represents the Sarasota area, and Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz,
who represents parts of South Florida, want to keep Florida’s west coast off limits for at least the next
10 years.
Their bill, similar to one Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson introduced in January, would keep in place
a moratorium barring oil and natural gas drilling generally within 125 miles of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The
ban, in place since 2006, is set to expire June 30, 2022.
“Florida’s beaches are vital to our economy and way of life,” Buchanan said in a statement announcing
the measure. “Our coastal communities depend on a clean and healthy ocean.”
In addition, GOP House members Neal Dunn and Matt Gaetz wrote last month to Defense Secretary
James Mattis, warning him that lifting the ban would imperil supersonic air exercises conducted by
installations in the Florida panhandle they represent.
“Allowing oil and gas leasing activities in the areas under moratoria will create insurmountable risks to
civilian and military personnel, military assets, and drilling infrastructure,” they wrote.
The Pentagon’s response, delivered in a letter last week by Acting Defense Undersecretary Anthony M.
Kurta, called the moratorium “essential for developing and sustaining our nation’s future combat
capabilities.”…..
Pentagon wants offshore drilling ban maintained in
eastern Gulf
BY TIMOTHY CAMA - 05/02/17 10:00 AM EDT
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/331520-pentagon-wants-offshore-drilling-ban-maintained-in-easterngulf
The Pentagon wants to continue a ban on offshore drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico that’s set to
expire in five years.
A.M. Kurta, the acting under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, told a Florida lawmaker in
a letter publicly released Monday that military training and related exercises in the eastern Gulf, which
borders Florida, necessitate a continuation of Congress’s ban on drilling.
The letter Kurta wrote to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) adds a new wrinkle to the Trump administration’s
drive to dramatically increase offshore oil and natural gas drilling.
Trump ordered the Interior Department to write a new plan for offshore drilling rights sales and to
consider areas currently off-limits to drilling.
An order signed Monday by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke says the department will look at the entire
Gulf of Mexico for potential drilling.
And the oil industry is gunning for the eastern Gulf, telling reporters yesterday that drilling there could
create thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in new investment.
But the Pentagon is pushing back against drilling in the eastern Gulf, near Florida.
“The moratorium … ensures that these vital military readiness activities may be conducted without
interference and is critical to their continuation,” Kurta wrote to Gaetz in response to a letter inquiring
about the drilling ban…..
Eglin AFB
Raptors take out aerial targets in missile tests
USAF / Published May 02, 2017
http://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1168174/raptors-take-out-aerial-targets-in-missile-tests/
The F-22 completed operational tests of air-to-air missiles against an aerial target April 18 at the Utah
Test and Training Range as part of a major capability upgrade.
The Raptors launched inert AIM-9 and AIM-120 missiles against multiple BQM-167A sub-scale aerial
targets, marking a significant effort along the 3.2B initial operational test and evaluation upgrade
timeline. The jets are assigned to the 411th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif.
A team from the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron deployed from the 53d Weapons Evaluation Group to
provide the flying targets in the missile tests.
"We deployed a group of 15 active duty members, government civilians and contractors to launch, fly and
recover up to eight BQM-167A targets over three days,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Garrison, 82nd ATRS
commander.
The 3.2B modernization update to the F-22 is the jet’s biggest capability upgrade since reaching Initial
Operating Capability in December 2005. Once fielded, it will add capability boosts to U.S. Air Force air
superiority and further support coalition efforts downrange……
Tyndall AFB
New Tyndall Security Regulations Begin May 1st
By Jennifer Holton | Posted: Mon 6:23 PM, May 01, 2017
http://www.wjhg.com/content/news/New-Tyndall-Security-Regulations-Begin-May-1st-420938244.html
TYNDALL AFB, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - New security regulations for Tyndall Air Force Base begin
May 1st, something that could bring to a close years-long discussions between the Air Force base and the
public.
The Army Corps of Engineers amended the regulations to establish new areas that will be restricted if
there is a specific and credible threat.
Comments from the public expressed concern about the loss of use of waterways and beaches,
specifically around Shell Island and Crooked Island for recreational fisherman, boaters and tourists.
But according to the new regulations, the restricted area doesn't affect Shell Island, and only covers
limited portions of Crooked Island.
Tyndall sent WJHG/WECP a statement which reads: "The federal regulation allowing Tyndall to
temporarily restrict waterways when a specific and credible security threat is identified, became available
to the commander today. The purpose of this regulation is to establish temporary, well-defined, restricted
areas in the waters surrounding portions of the base. Those restrictions will only be activated on a
temporary basis in response to specific and credible security threats, and require reassessment every 48
hours. The temporary restricted areas do not affect Shell Island, and only covers limited portions of
Crooked Island. With input from the community, and cooperation between military authorities, we were
able to enhance base security and minimize impact on recreational areas. "
NS Mayport
Mayport ship intercepts $22.5 million worth of cocaine
during Navy, Coast Guard operation
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted April 28, 2017 02:59 pm | Updated April 28, 2017 03:09 pm
http://jacksonville.com/news/military/2017-04-28/mayport-ship-intercepts-225-million-worth-cocaine-duringnavy-coast-guard
U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement personnel embarked on the Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship USS
Zephyr board a panga carrying 750 kilograms of cocaine. (U.S. Navy)
Sailors assigned to the Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship USS Zephyr on-load 750 kilograms of cocaine
seized by the embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement personnel. (U.S. Navy)
A crew from Mayport Naval Station recently intercepted a massive amount of cocaine with a street value
of $22.5 million while on patrol in the Caribbean with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship USS Zephyr, based at Mayport, was conducting Operation Martillo
along with Dutch Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel on April 19 when they
intercepted the contraband, according to the Navy.
The ships pursued a panga —a small fishing vessel — and found 750 kilograms of cocaine when they
boarded the boat, according to the Navy.
“Today’s success was due to the high professionalism and cohesive integration of the Zephyr crew and
USCG LEDET [Law Enforcement Detachment],” said Lt. Cmdr. Cameron Ingram, Zephyr’s
commanding officer…..
Naval Station Mayport readies for hurricane
preparedness exercises
by: Deanna Bettineschi, Action News Jax Updated: May 2, 2017 - 8:48 PM
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/naval-station-mayport-readies-for-hurricane-preparednessexercises/518629650
Ships heading out to sea are a pretty common sight at Naval Station Mayport.
Throughout the year, sailors train out at sea and on base to prepare for different emergency situations, and
next week, they’ll be preparing to deal with hurricanes during their annual hurricane exercise.
Leaders at Naval Station Mayport say military families need to start making a plan now for the next
hurricane that comes our way.
“You have to train like you fight have to be ready. You have to have a plan and that was proven last year
with Hurricane Matthew,” said Personnel Support Detachment Director Al Iannacone.
Iannacone said while many sailors and their families were here last year during Hurricane Matthew and
now have a plan, there are new sailors who have never lived where hurricanes hit……
NAS Jacksonville
New Triton training facility opens
By Kaylee LaRocque, NAS Jax Public Affairs Officer, Posted: Wed, 05/03/2017 - 1:10pm
http://jaxairnews.jacksonville.com/military-jax-air-news/2017-05-03/story/new-triton-training-facility-opens
Northrop Grumman Corporation representatives officially turned over the new Triton Unmanned Aerial
Systems Operator Training Facility to the Navy during a ribbon-cutting ceremony aboard NAS
Jacksonville April 27. The event was held in conjunction of the 2017 Maritime Patrol Association
Symposium.
““We stand in front of a building that is more than just a building. It is the home of the Triton mission
systems trainer where in just a few short months, a large group of aircrew will parade through these doors
to learn the ins and outs of this transformational platform,” said Doug Shaffer, Northrop Grumman
Corporation vice president and Triton program manager.
“This new platform will give unbelievable persistence and domain awareness to maritime patrol. If you
look back at the past couple months and the success the Triton system has had with the community we’ve
made many strides. Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP) 19 was commissioned in October 2016, all the
hardware for this training facility has been installed, we’re delivering our first two aircraft to Point Mugu
later this year and plan to deploy the aircraft in 2018. This is definitely a team effort between industry
teams, the acquisition community and the fleet.”
“This year is all about execution,” said Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance
Wing.
“On May 8, 2009, I had the honor of cutting the ribbon to open Hangar 511. Now, we are here cutting the
ribbon for this Triton Training Facility. It’s really the golden spike of our railroad. Since I left Wing
Eleven, $267 million has been invested in our maritime community. We’ve come a long way. This is a
historic day for us and it’s really exciting to be part of all this…..
MacDill AFB
No problems found, but Air Force to test MacDill
water for pollution
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Monday, May 1, 2017 12:34pm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/no-problems-found-but-air-force-to-test-macdill-water-forpollution/2322276
Air Force environmental health inspectors will visit MacDill Air Force Base this summer to test whether
groundwater contains potentially harmful chemicals found in a widely used firefighting foam.
The presence of the chemicals, called perfluorinated compounds, falls within accepted health standards
because none were detected in MacDill's drinking water, according to the Air Force, which is conducting
similar tests at bases around the nation.
But the inspection will test groundwater at the base in areas where aqueous film-forming foam was used,
according to Laura McAndrews, an Air Force spokeswoman.
So far, more than 200 installations have been tested and the Air Force is taking some form of cleanup
action at about 20 of them.
MacDill officials say if any problems are found on the base where some 42,000 people live and work,
they will take corrective action.
"It is our priority to ensure there is safe drinking water sources for our service members," said Senior
Airman Tori Long, spokeswoman for the 6th Air Mobility Wing, the base's host unit…..
MacDill Control Tower named best in AMC
By Airman 1st Class Rito Smith, 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs / Published May 02, 2017
http://www.macdill.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1169603/macdill-control-tower-named-best-in-amc/
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – MacDill’s Air Traffic Controllers won Air Mobility Command’s
2016 Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year Award March 8, 2017, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
MacDill’s air traffic controllers and airfield systems technicians came together to innovate and develop
new processes as a team to ensure success of MacDill’s mission.
“We pioneered new criteria for the controller certification program,” said Master Sgt. Tyrone Wilson,
tower chief controller assigned to the 6th Operations Support Squadron. “Also, during the runway
closure, we logged over 1,000 hours of simulation training. So when the runway opened back up, we
didn’t have to do any proficiency training in order to start working again.”
“It really is an honor to be named as AMC’s air traffic control facility of the year,” said Wilson. “Our
team believes the success we have achieved is linked to our working relationship with the air field
systems Airmen.”
Being such a busy facility allowed air traffic controllers and airfield systems technicians the opportunity
to work more closely with each other to build a mutual respect for each other’s professional expertise…..
Cape Canaveral AFS
SpaceX launches U.S. spy satellite into orbit, then
lands rocket booster safely
James F. Peltz and Samantha Masunaga, Contact Reporters, 1 May 2017
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-spacex-satellite-launch-20170501-story.html
SpaceX launched a U.S. spy satellite into orbit Monday, then landed its first-stage rocket booster near the
launchpad.
It was another successful launch for the Elon Musk-led company as it tries to show it can be a reliable
launch provider for government and commercial payloads.
The launch of the spy satellite, known as NROL-76, for the Pentagon’s National Reconnaissance Office
came shortly after 7 a.m. EDT at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch originally was set for
Sunday, but it was scrubbed that day because of what SpaceX described as a sensor issue.
“Launch and landing of the NRO spy satellite was good,” Musk said Monday on Twitter, adding that it
was a “tough call” to launch because of high-altitude wind shear.
The first stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket then separated from the second stage and made a vertical
landing back near the launchpad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the company said on its Twitter
feed…..
Patrick AFB
Mission partnership solidified
By 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs / Published May 01, 2017
http://www.dobbins.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1169318/mission-partnership-solidified/
A momentous occasion for the 45th Space Wing and 920th Rescue Wing mission partners at Patrick Air
Force Base, Florida was marked Friday, April 21. The two Air Force wings signed a robust new support
agreement.
Even though their missions are distinctly different, wing leaders from both units agreed that working
together ensures they maintain the greatest Air Force in the world.
Brig. Gen. Wayne R. Monteith, commander of the 45th SW, concurred saying, "I appreciate the close
cooperation of the entire team. This is not an us against them or a them against us, this is a we, to get our
two missions accomplished. I just want to thank our two teams for coming together and pushing this
forward…I’m thankful to have you all here as partners with our mission.
Col. Kurt A. Mathews, commander of the 920th RQW, echoed the general's sentiments and said, "We
learned a lot about each other in this process. I know how much work you all put into this. We are really
grateful."
US Southern Command
Navy PC Zephyr and Coast Guard make $22.5M bust
in Caribbean
By: Mark D. Faram, May 1, 2017
https://www.navytimes.com/articles/navy-pc-zephyr-and-coast-guard-make-225m-bust-in-caribbean
In the Navy’s version of the popular TV show, “Deadliest Catch,” the coastal patrol vessel Zephyr and its
embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment have made a large haul of illicit drugs.
The Zephyr, along with the Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel of the Royal
Netherlands Navy, pursued and boarded a small panga fishing boat in the Caribbean Sea on April 19. The
crews found and confiscated 750 kilograms of cocaine — a total street value of $22.5 million.
"Today's success was due to the high professionalism and cohesive integration of the Zephyr crew and
USCG LEDET," said Lt. Cmdr. Cameron Ingram, Zephyr's commanding officer, according to a Navy
press release.
Zephyr is homeported in Mayport, Florida, and is currently deployed in the Caribbean in support of
Operation Martillo, an ongoing joint service and multi-nation operation headed by the U.S. Southern
Command and the Navy’s Mayport-based U.S. 4th Fleet…..
NAS Key West
Navy dolphins train in Key West to find mines
By: Mackenzie Wolf, May 2, 2017
https://www.navytimes.com/articles/navy-dolphins-train-in-key-west-to-findmines?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%2005.03.2017&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
Constellation, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, has been training in Key West with three of her
teammates as part of the Navy's Marine Mammal program, based in San Diego, reports WLRN.
Constellation's job is vital — she and her dolphin teammates search for mines on the ocean floor and drop
transponders that allow the crews to safely retrieve the explosives.
"Probably their most impressive capability is their ability to find objects that are completely buried
underneath the seafloor,” said Bob Olds, business manager for the Marine Mammal program.
The Navy typically takes the dolphins to Hawaii for training in warmer waters, but this year, they traveled
to Key West.
"We like to introduce them to different environments as part of their training cycle," Olds said.
"They get the warm water, they get the reef type environment, which we don't have in San Diego, the
coral heads and things. We're working with their sonar so different sonar pictures are good for them to get
trained up against them and here, you've got a pretty cluttered bottom when it comes to the coral heads."
Cmdr. John Fairweather, the surface and subsurface operations officer for Naval Air Station Key West,
says the team is like any other special operations team that trains there…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed Martin doing part of $433.8M worth of F-35
and radar work in Central Florida
Matthew Richardson, Staff writer, Orlando Business Journal, Apr 28, 2017, 10:14am
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/04/28/lockheed-martin-doing-part-of-433-8m-worth-of-f-35.html
After a first-quarter earnings report that shows Lockheed Martin Corp.'s Orlando divisions in the black,
the locations are getting more work related to its F-35 stealth aircraft.
Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) won two contracts on April 26 totaling $433.8
million, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. While one contract will have only small parts of
the work done in Central Florida, the other will have work performed in the area.
JASSM is armed with a penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead.
The company was awarded a $422.7 million contract from the U.S. Navy to work on the Lot 10 order for
the F-35 Lightening II aircraft. Work will take place in more than a dozen places throughout the U.S.,
including in Orlando and Melbourne. The contract has a December 2020 completion date.
The Lot 10 order, which was awarded earlier this year, is a $9 billion-plus contract with the U.S.
government to build and deliver 90 F-35 planes over the course of a few years. The F-35 program —
deemed as one of Lockheed Martin's most expensive projects in its 22 year history — supports more than
146,000 employees and is projected to support more than 260,000 employees in the U.S. by 2020. In
Orlando, the program supports 1,300 workers.
The second contract the company won on April 26 is valued at $11.1 million with the U.S. Navy. The
company's space systems division in Cape Canaveral will provide engineering and operations effort in
support of the X-Link Pod Refresh and Spiral 2 flight hardware kit — a radar device called
SeaCommander used by the U.S. Coast Guard. The contract has a Sept. 30, 2019, completion date.
Lockheed Martin employees more than 7,000 workers in Central Florida and more than 1,000 local
suppliers in Florida…..
Jets, missiles, night vision sensors: Lockheed Martin
and more land 5 contracts totaling $1.8B with work in
Orlando
Matthew Richardson, Staff writer, Orlando Business Journal, May 1, 2017, 12:04pm EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/05/01/jets-missiles-night-vision-sensors-lockheed-martin.html
Last week was a big one for local defense firms as five contracts were awarded on April 28, totaling $1.8
billion.
Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) was awarded four of the contracts, while General Dynamics Corp.
(NYSE: GD) was awarded one, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Here's a rundown of each contract:

Lockheed Martin landed a $1.3 billion contract from the U.S. Navy for low rate production of its
stealth fighter jet F-35. Under order number Lot 12, Lockheed Martin will produce and deliver
130 F-35 Lightening II aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department
of Defense participants and foreign military sales customers. The contract also calls for materials,
parts, components and efforts for Lot 13 and 14 order for the aircraft. Lot 13 and 14 will be for
110 F-35s.
Work for the contract will take place in seven locations throughout the U.S., including Orlando, where
Lockheed Martin's east and west locations build training simulators and targeting pods for the F-35. The
program supports more than 1,300 jobs in Orlando.

Lockheed Martin's Missile & Fire Control unit in Orlando won a $332.1 million contract from the
U.S. Army to perform work for foreign military sales to produce and deliver the Modernized
Target Acquisition Designation Sight and Pilot Night Vision Sensor System (M-TADS/PNVS).
Work locations and funding will be determined for each order. The contract has an April 30,
2018, completion date.

Lockheed Martin's Space Systems division, which has a location in Cape Canaveral, won a $64.6
million contract with the U.S. Navy. The contract will support production of the Trident II D5
Missile. Nearly half of the work will take place in Cape Canaveral where the Trident II program
supports more than 650 jobs. The contract has a February 28, 2022, completion date.

General Dynamics won a $32.8 million contract with the U.S. Navy for training and support
equipment for weapon control systems. The work for the contract will take place in seven
locations throughout the U.S. and overseas. Massachusetts will perform the majority of work, but
a small part will be done in Cape Canaveral. The contract has a Sept. 30, 2021, completion date.

Lockheed Martin's Aeronautics division won a $10.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy to
support Lot 11 order for the F-35 for the government of Israel under the Foreign Military Sales
program. Work will take place in seven locations in the U.S. and overseas and has a May 2019
completion date.
Lockheed Martin employees more than 7,000 workers in Central Florida and more than 1,000 local
suppliers in Florida…..
GOP chairman to unveil defense acquisition reforms
in mid-May
BY ELLEN MITCHELL - 05/02/17 02:11 PM EDT
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/331590-gop-chairman-to-unveil-defense-acquisition-reforms-in-mid-may
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said he will reveal the week of
May 16 new legislation aimed at reforming how the Pentagon buys major weapons systems.
“What I hope to do is help the [Defense Department] run more like a business and be able to keep up with
the changes in technology and business practices,” Thornberry told reporters. “I think you’ll see some
ways that we can help.”
Thornberry said he will introduce the standalone bill and then take feedback “for a month or a little
longer” before fashioning a final version. He said he plans to meet with his team Wednesday to go over
the bill before its release.
He provided few details on what will be included but said he hopes to beef up the department’s ability to
engage in intellectual property rights negotiations, a long disputed issue between the Pentagon and its
industrial base.
The bill will also address “streamlining some of the legislative requirements that have built up over the
years that tie the department’s hands.”
“There is no magic bill that I can ever pass that’s going to fix acquisition,” Thornberry said. “I know this
is shocking to y’all. But I am trying to take a sizable chunk a year ... and make it better. Because if we
don’t make it better we’re not going to be able to keep up with the threats or the pace of technology. The
goal is agility.”
Thornberry is seeking to include the reforms in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA),
which is the annual bill authorizing defense programs, activities and spending….
Senators Call on Mattis to Buy More Littoral Combat
Ships
By Hope Hodge Seck, Military.com | 28 Apr 2017
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/04/28/senators-call-mattis-buy-more-littoral-combat-ships.html
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators from four different states is calling on Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
to find the money for three new littoral combat ships in next year's defense budget.
In a letter sent Friday, the eight senators representing Alabama, Michigan, Florida and Wisconsin
petitioned Mattis to keep to the LCS requirement in the Navy's December 2016 Force Structure
Assessment. The list includes Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio of Florida; Richard Shelby and Luther
Strange of Alabama; Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; and Gary Peters and Debbie
Stabenow of Michigan.
The 2016 assessment was a reversal of then-Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's mandate to cut the
LCS/future frigate acquisition program from 52 ships to 40, with a down-select from two shipbuilders to
one by fiscal 2019.
"The opportunity exists in the LCS program now to ensure industrial base stability at two shipyards and
also among the 1,200 suppliers in 45 states and the greater than 21,000 men and women who support this
important work," the lawmakers wrote. "Leveraging these current investments is a good deal for the U.S.
taxpayer and will provide greater capability to our fleet in a shorter timeframe."
All four states that the senators represent have close ties to the littoral combat ship program.
The Independence-class variant of the ship is built at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, while
the Lockheed Martin-made Freedom-class variant is built at Marinette Marine, in Marinette, Wisconsin.
The Navy plans to base all 13 planned Freedom-class ships at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, making the
LCS a key component of military presence for the state. And littoral combat ships have undergone sea
trials in Lake Michigan, which borders Marinette. One of the ships, the Freedom-class USS Detroit, is
named for Michigan's capital city…..
DoD Budget
OMNIBUS WOULD FUND HIGHER TROOP
LEVELS
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 2 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252729?e=28cebe069c
This omnibus spending bill unveiled Monday would pay for the higher Army and Marine Corps troop
levels for the called for in the fiscal 2017 defense authorization bill, halting the drawdown planned under
the Obama administration’s FY 2017 budget request. The 11-bill spending package, completed over the
weekend after Republican and Democratic lawmakers reached a final deal to wrap up spending for the
remainder of FY 2017, includes $1.6 billion for an additional 1,000 active-duty Army soldiers, 1,000
Army National Guard soldiers, 1,000 Army Reserve soldiers and 1,000 active-duty Marines.
The Army’s active-duty end strength had been slated to drop from 475,000 to 460,000 soldiers from Oct.
1, 2016, to Oct. 1, 2017. Instead, the latest defense policy bill sets the service’s active end strength at
476,000, with the active Marine Corps authorized at 185,000 troops.
Overall, the full-year spending agreement provides $593 billion for the Pentagon, $19.9 billion over FY
2016 levels and $16.3 billion more than the Obama administration had proposed, according to a House
Appropriations Committee summary. The final figure includes nearly $15 billion requested by the Trump
administration, representing about half of the administration’s supplemental request for DOD. The
Pentagon’s topline for FY 2017 rises to $598.5 billion after adding in emergency funds included in an
earlier continuing resolution (CR).
“This agreement makes a down payment on restoring our military. [The bill] includes $5 billion for
urgent combat needs and $10 billion for beginning to restore military readiness,” House Armed Services
Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said in a written statement.
The House and Senate are expected to clear the omnibus in time to send it to the president’s desk by
Friday when the latest CR runs out. The text of the bill, H.R. 244, and accompanying explanatory
statements are available on the House Rules Committee web site.
AGREEMENT PROVIDES EXTRA MONEY FOR
SUSTAINMENT, CONSTRUCTION
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 2 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252729?e=28cebe069c
The FY 2017 spending agreement allocates $223 billion to operation and maintenance accounts to address
readiness shortfalls, representing a $9.4 billion increase compared to FY 2016. The measure includes $7.3
billion not included in the budget request for facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization
programs; additional depot maintenance; base operations support; and supporting increased end strength.
The deal includes $15 billion in supplemental funding for DOD, including several items dedicated to
facilities requirements, according to a Senate Appropriations Committee summary:



$859 million for infrastructure improvements and safety upgrades for ranges, unit
training facilities, piers, hangars and airfields to address immediate, warfighting readiness
requirements;
$251 million for repairs at military facilities affected by Hurricane Matthew — which
pummeled portions of the southeastern United States last October — and other storms; and
$248 million for military construction, including $150 million in planning and design for
future milcon projects, and $86 million to complete 11 projects on time. Many of these
projects are critical to ensuring military readiness.
Mindful of budget constraints, Navy set to revise its
aspirations for bigger fleet
By Jared Serbu | @jserbuWFED, May 2, 2017 4:24 am5 min read
https://federalnewsradio.com/dod-reporters-notebook-jared-serbu/2017/05/mindful-of-budget-constraints-navy-setto-revise-its-aspirations-for-bigger-fleet/
The Navy’s top officer says he remains convinced that the global security landscape will demand “more
Navy,” over the next few decades, but his service appears to be tempering its appetite for exactly how
much more, at least when measured in numbers of ships and people.
The Navy’s most recent force structure assessment, issued in December, calls for a fleet of 355 ships, on
par with what President Donald Trump has proposed, and 80 more than it has today. Officials have
acknowledged that number was “unconstrained” by budget realities.
But last week, the Congressional Budget Office released a detailed assessment of what a fleet of that size
would actually cost. The Navy would need to spend $26.6 billion per year for the next 30 years, 60
percent more than its average annual shipbuilding budget over the last three decades. The personnel, fuel
and supply costs involved in maintaining a fleet of that size would also be 67 percent higher than they are
now, according to CBO.
Speaking just a few days after the CBO assessment, Adm. Jonathan Richardson, the chief of Naval
operations, said the Navy will publish an article in the coming weeks laying out its current views on
exactly how big it needs to be, and that it will be “mindful of the available resources.”….
Other Of Interest
Commentary: It's time for every American to thank
those who served in Vietnam
By: Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey (ret.), May 2, 2017
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/thank-troops-for-service-tovietnam?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%2005.03.2017&utm_term=Editorial%2
0-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
Combat in Vietnam produced vivid memories that are seared there forever. And when the veterans who
fought in Vietnam returned home, they were mostly shunned by their fellow Americans. It hurt us then,
and it still hurts us now.
But one federal organization – The Vietnam War Commemoration – is trying to remedy that. They are
taking their congressional mandate very seriously. They are on a full court press thanking and honoring
Vietnam veterans and their families for their service, sacrifice and valor 50 years ago. Indeed, across the
nation, Americans are uniting to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families. Because of the
challenges of the time, The Commemoration's efforts to thank Vietnam veterans and their families include
all 9 million U.S. veterans who served from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, and their families, regardless
of location.
The President recently signed S. 305 – The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. This
established March 29 as the date, from here on, that all Americans can pause and consider the cost of that
conflict to the lives of the many who fought there. In the years to come, many more will travel to the
Nation's Capital and visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. That sacred place is a reminder to its four
million annual visitors of the service and sacrifice of more than 58,300 Americans whose names are on
"The Wall." During a ceremony at The Wall on Memorial Day 2012, President Obama said "one of the
most painful chapters in our history was Vietnam – most particularly, how we treated our troops who
served there. You came home and sometimes were denigrated, when you should have been celebrated. It
was a national shame and we resolve that it will not happen again."…..
McCain: Lawmaker has hold on Trump's Air Force
secretary pick
By: Joe Gould, May 2, 2017
http://www.federaltimes.com/articles/woman-pleads-guilty-to-va-disability-compensation-benefitsfraud?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%205.4.17&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
WASHINGTON — A Democratic senator has a hold on U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Air
Force secretary, and legislators need to "work through" questions before she can receive a confirmation
vote, according to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain.
The delay marks the latest setback for one of Trump’s picks for Defense Department leadership. If
confirmed, former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson would be only the second DoD nominee confirmed by the
Senate after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
The news came as representatives of Mark Green, Trump's second pick to be Army secretary, denied he is
withdrawing, amid a backlash over his controversial statements on LGBT issues, Islam and evolution. If
Green were to withdraw, he would be the third military service secretary to drop out after being selected
by Trump.
On Tuesday, McCain, R-Ariz., said in a brief interview with Defense News that one senator has a hold on
Wilson. Lawmakers can levy private holds on a nominee, but the hold must be reported to the senator’s
party leadership. Holds can be overcome, but require time consuming procedures such as filing cloture —
a motion to end debate that requires 60 votes…..
May 12
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #54 will be in-person NEXT WEEK on Thursday,
18 May 2017, beginning at 9:00AM at the Residence Inn, 600 W. Gaines Street,
Tallahassee FL 32304. Task Force members meeting materials are in the mail and you
should receive them tomorrow. E-books will be available at our website early next week
on the Meetings page under “downloads” at this link:
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/fdstf/meetings/
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Task Force Member Activated – Task Force member CW5 Derrick Fritts has been
ordered by his Army National Guard unit to active duty in support of Operation Noble
Eagle, effective May 15, 2017. His duties will take him back to the Washington DC area
as well as generate extensive travel for the next 18 months. CW5 Fritts will take every
opportunity to dial-in as usual and keep up his contacts for the Space Coast. Please wish
him well as he serves!
4. Oil Drilling and the Gulf Range Complex – Department of Interior Secretary Zinke
signed an order last week implementing the Department’s “America-First Offshore
Energy Strategy”. Following the release of the strategy, Senator Marco Rubio introduced
the “Florida Shores Protection and Fairness Act” (attached) which extends the
prohibitions on oil drilling by five years (changing from 2022 to 2027) east of the
Military Mission Line (MML) established in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act
(GOMESA) of 2006. See multiple articles below in Clips for more information. In
addition, Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL01) plans to push for $30M in funding to enhance
the Gulf Range in the FY18 NDAA. The Chair has written a letter of support from the
Task Force for his efforts (attached) and also asks that he maintain his “already strong
support for an extension of the current moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of Mexico east
of the Military Mission Line (MML)”.
5. Florida Chamber Military and Veterans Opportunities Summit – This summit will
be held on August 8, 2017 in Orlando. Staff from both the Florida Defense Alliance and
Florida Defense Support Task Force are already involved in the planning of this annual
event.
6. Association of Defense Communities (ADC) National Summit – ADC will hold its
National Summit June 19-21, 2017 in Washington, DC. There will be more than 600
leaders from around the nation for an event widely recognized as the most comprehensive
look at the key issues facing defense communities and installations. This summit will
feature more than 30 educational sessions and dozens of senior DOD and congressional
leaders focused on the key issues facing defense communities and installations. The
Summit also will include town halls for OEA and each of the services, pre-conference
workshops on the FY 2018 defense authorization bill and the BRAC process, and the
Armed Services committee staff roundtable. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with
hundreds of your colleagues. More information available at: http://www.adcsummit.org/
7. Florida Military Friendly Legislation Passed During Session – HB 615 –
Professional Regulation – This bill requires DBPR to issue a fee-waived professional
renewable license for boards and programs listed under Florida Statute 20.165 for
members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty, spouses of members of the
Armed Forces, and surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces providing they
have proof they hold a valid license for the profession issued by any other state. This bill
also permits the renewal of such licenses, provided the standard conditions of renewal
under the applicable practice act are completed. The bill also extends the period of time
that active duty members with licenses remain in good standing after dis-charge from
active duty from 6 months to 2 years and allows spouses and surviving spouses of active
duty members to remain in good standing when they are absent from the state due to their
spouse’s Armed Forces duties. NOTE: This bill is awaiting signature of the Governor.
8. Florida Military and Defense Budget Items Passed by Legislature – The Florida
Defense Support Task Force received an appropriation of $2 million. The Defense Grants
were funded at the same level as last year. DIG -- $1.6 million DRG -- $850,000 MBP -$150,000. NOTE: Budget has not yet been approved by the Governor.
9. Attachments:
 FL Shores Protection and Fairness Act
 FDSTF Letter of Support for Gulf Range Enhancements
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
FDSTF / FDA
FLORIDA DEFENSE ALLIANCE SURVIVES AMID
PARENT AGENCY'S BUDGET SCARE
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 11 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252757?e=28cebe069c
Funding for all of Florida’s defense support programs survived unscathed in the 2017-2018 budget
lawmakers approved this week, after the Senate rejected a House effort to eliminate the state’s economic
development agency. The House budget would have zeroed out funding for Enterprise Florida, which
houses the Florida Defense Alliance. Instead, the compromise plan includes $2.0 million for the Florida
Defense Support Task Force and $2.6 million for the state’s defense grant programs. And rather than
eliminating Enterprise Florida, lawmakers only trimmed $7.5 million in funding for the agency from its
current allocation of $23.5 million.
The state budget is not final until Gov. Rick Scott (R) signs it. There is speculation that he may veto it
over the cuts to Enterprise Florida as well as other priorities of his, or simply exercise the line-item veto.
Gulf Ranges / Oil
Secretary Zinke Signs Orders Implementing AmericaFirst Offshore Energy Strategy
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, 5/1/2017, Last edited 5/2/2017
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-zinke-signs-orders-implementing-america-first-offshore-energystrategy
HOUSTON – On the floor of the Offshore Technology Conference, flanked by men and women who
work on offshore oil and gas platforms, Secretary of the Department of the Interior Ryan Zinke today
signed two secretarial orders aimed at unleashing America’s offshore energy potential and growing the
U.S. economy. The first order (text-PDF) implements President Trump’s Executive Order signed Friday
and directs the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to develop a new five-year plan for oil
and gas exploration in offshore waters and reconsider a number of regulations governing those
activities. The second order (text-PDF) establishes a new position – Counselor to the Secretary for Energy
Policy – to coordinate the Interior Department’s energy portfolio that spans nine of the Department’s ten
bureaus.
“Following through on the leadership established by President Trump, today's orders will help cement our
Nation’s position as a global energy leader and foster energy independence and security for the benefit of
the American people, while ensuring that this development is safe and environmentally responsible,”
Secretary Zinke told industry representatives at the annual Offshore Technology Conference in
Houston. “We will conduct a thorough review of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for oil and gas
exploration and listen to state and local stakeholders. We also will conduct a thorough review of
regulations that were created with good intentions but have had harmful impacts on America's energy
security."
Secretarial Order 3350 directs BOEM to immediately develop a new “Five Year Outer Continental Shelf
Leasing Program” with full consideration given to leasing the OCS offshore Alaska, mid- and southAtlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico. It also directs BOEM to work with the Department of Commerce’s
National Marine Fisheries Service to expedite authorization requests for seismic surveys, particularly for
new or resubmitted permitting applications in the Atlantic to understand the extent of America’s energy
potential. The Secretary’s order also directs prompt completion of the Notice to Lessees No. 2016-N01
dated September 12, 2016 and ceases all activities to promulgate the proposed “Offshore Air Quality
Control, Reporting, and Compliance Rule. The order also directs BOEM and BSEE to review a host of
other rules and report progress within 21 days…..
…..Of the 1.7 billion acres on the OCS, only 16.9 million acres are leased for oil and gas development
with 4.4 million of those acres (885 blocks) producing oil and gas. About 97 percent of all OCS leases
are currently in the Gulf of Mexico. BOEM estimates the U.S. OCS has about 90 billion barrels of
undiscovered technically recoverable oil and 327 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered, technically
recoverable natural gas. The Gulf of Mexico, covering 160 million acres of the OCS, has an estimated
48.46 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil and 141.76 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable
natural gas.
Rubio Introduces Legislation to Extend Eastern Gulf
Drilling Moratorium
RUBIO PRESS RELEASE, MAY 04 2017
HTTPS://WWW.RUBIO.SENATE.GOV/PUBLIC/INDEX.CFM/PRESS-RELEASES?ID=23C4DB2C-7410-487593CC-30C61A8FE9BD
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced the Florida Shores Protection
and Fairness Act, legislation that would extend the moratorium on energy exploration in the Eastern Gulf
of Mexico from 2022 to 2027, and make Florida eligible to receive a share of the revenue generated by
drilling in the central and western portions of the Gulf.
Current law gives “all the Gulf states—except for Florida—the ability to benefit from revenue generated
by drilling in the middle and the west of the Gulf,” writes Rubio in the Pensacola News Journal. “So
while Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama receive a direct flow of money they can use on
conservation and environmental efforts, restoring their coasts, hurricane protection, flood control,
mitigation measures for wildlife and approved federal projects, Florida is losing out.”
“As the tragic Deepwater Horizon disaster demonstrated, Florida’s environment and economies are in
danger of being affected by rare but major drilling accidents in the Gulf—even with the 125-mile ban in
the current moratorium,” explains Rubio. “That’s why I’ve introduced legislation that would help Florida
in two ways. First, it would extend the current moratorium in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico from 2022 until
2027. Second, it would allow Florida to be included in the list of Gulf states that are eligible to share
revenue. This would give Florida a new source of funding, and recognize that as long as our shores
shoulder some of the risk, it’s only fair that Floridians share in some of the benefit.”
Oil drilling order alarms officials
BY TIMOTHY O'HARA, [email protected], Citizen Staff, Sunday, May 7, 2017
http://keysnews.com/node/82708
President Donald Trump's executive order last week that could expand oil drilling into sensitive
environmental areas is causing deep concern in the Florida Keys and South Florida. Sen. Bill Nelson, DFla., sent a letter on Monday to the heads of departments of interior and commerce opposing the
executive order. In the letter, Nelson goes into detail about possible negative environmental and
economic impacts to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Nelson told the secretaries of
commerce and interior that the sanctuary was established in 1990 in response to vessel groundings and oil
drilling. Nelson reminded Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Department of Interior
Secretary Ryan Zinke the sanctuary generates $4.4 billion in revenue and supports 70,000 jobs in the
Florida Keys.
The sanctuary is also home to 6,000 species of marine life, Nelson said. The revenue and species listing
comes directly from studies by the Department of Commerce. The executive order directs Zinke to
review the five-year plan former President Barack Obama instituted that bans drilling in parts of the
Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic oceans. "Against clear congressional intent, the president's executive order
directs your department to tally the oil and minerals contained in national marine sanctuaries like the
Florida Keys - presumably by using seismic air gun blasts in some of the sensitive habitats in our ocean,"
Nelson wrote. "Seismic testing and other preleasing drilling activities directly conflict with the laws that
created the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and I strongly urge you to refrain from allowing any
oil and gas activities in the Florida Keys," Nelson added.
Monroe County Mayor George Neugent has also expressed deep concerns about expanding oil drilling in
areas off Florida, especially at a time when oil prices are dropping, he said. Neugent called oil an
"overdeveloped commodity," arguing the price has dropped from more than $100 a barrel in recent years
to $40 a barrel. Neugent contended the executive order is driven by special interests and pro-oil industry
members of Trump's own cabinet. "This is mind-boggling to me," said Neugent, a longtime member of
the Sanctuary Advisory Council. "This will have a tremendous impact to me. It would not only be
negative from an environmental impact, but an economic one as well."
U.S. Rep. Carlos Crubelo, R-Homestead, said the the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary "a unique
natural wonder and a vital part of the Florida Keys and South Florida economy," and it needs to be
protected from oil exploration and drilling…..
Sen. Marco Rubio throws wrench into Florida oil
drilling debate
Alex Leary, Times Washington Bureau Chief, Tuesday, May 9, 2017 6:40pm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/sen-marco-rubio-throws-wrench-into-florida-oil-drillingdebate/2323318
WASHINGTON — Just over a week after President Donald Trump made a massive push for offshore oil
drilling, Florida lawmakers have mobilized to protect a hard-fought moratorium on drilling in the Gulf of
Mexico.
But Sen. Marco Rubio has inserted a new layer that critics fear could weaken the state's resolve.
The Miami Republican filed legislation that would extend the ban on eastern gulf drilling to 2027, joining
an effort already proposed by Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and a bipartisan group of House members, and
endorsed by the military. At the same time, though, Rubio wants Florida to receive a share of revenue
generated by drilling in the gulf — a significant departure.
"This would give Florida a new source of funding and recognize that as long as our shores shoulder some
of the risk, it's only fair that Floridians share in some of the benefit," Rubio wrote Thursday in the
Pensacola News Journal.
Opponents see the hand of the oil industry. "You get the camel's nose under the tent and suddenly, the
camel is in the tent," said Nelson, who played a lead role, along with then-Republican Sen. Mel Martinez
of Orlando, in the 2006 accord that installed the drilling moratorium. "You throw the juicy tidbit out there
and suddenly, Florida wants drilling in the gulf."
The current ban prohibits drilling within at least 125 miles off the Florida coast and is set to expire in
2022……
BRAC
NEXT BRAC ROUND WON'T BE REPEAT OF THE
LAST ONE, THORNBERRY SAYS
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, May 10, 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252753?e=28cebe069c
If Congress approves another round of base closures, it first will need to ensure the initiative avoids the
shortcomings of the 2005 round, House Armed Services Chair Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) told National
Defense Magazine. Thornberry cited the extended payback period as one of his primary concerns. “If we
have one, it will be a lot narrower and more specifically defined than the last one, which has left a bad
taste in a lot of people’s mouths, including mine,” he said.
Thornberry also emphasized the importance of understanding whether the military is likely to grow before
shedding unneeded infrastructure. “Because once you close a base, you will not get it back,” Thornberry
said.
He told the magazine he would not rule out another BRAC round. “We’ll look at that,” he said.
Thornberry suggested lawmakers would consider establishing a new authority or providing additional
funds for the services to demolish outdated facilities and avoid the cost of upkeep. “So I think we need to
look at all of those options,” he said.
Corry Station
Corry Station IW Students Prepare for Hurricane
Season, Compete in Warrior Day
By Carla M. McCarthy, Center for Information Warfare Training Public Affairs, 05.05.2017
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/233089/corry-station-iw-students-prepare-hurricane-season-compete-warrior-day
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Students at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station
participated in friendly sports competitions after completing a hurricane safety training stand down, May
5.
With hurricane season starting June 1, the training stand down gave staff and students an overview of how
the command would respond to a hurricane, covering topics ranging from sheltering in place to an orderly
evacuation.
“We have around 2,000 students attending courses at any given time at Corry Station, so today’s training
and mock evacuation drill was a great opportunity to help us all get up to speed on what we need to do,"
said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Robert Rawls, IWTC Corry Station's command safety
officer. "This gives me great confidence that we’re ready to deal with the situation if we find ourselves
facing a hurricane this year."
After the training, “A" and "C" school students gathered on the various fields around Naval Air Station
(NAS) Pensacola Corry Station to compete with their fellow Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines in an
afternoon of “Warrior Day” events…..
Hurlburt Field
492nd SOW activation completes circle of Air
Commando history
By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published May 10, 2017
http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1179240/492nd-sow-activation-completes-circle-of-aircommando-history/
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center was inactivated, and
the 492nd Special Operations Wing was activated during a ceremony here, May 10. Simultaneously, the
492nd Special Operations Group and the 492nd Special Operations Training Group were activated under
the 492nd SOW.
The activation ceremony bridged Air Force Special Operations Command’s lineage to its present and
future.
“It is a pleasure to be here on this historic day. A day which formally links our storied past with our
exciting future,” said Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, the commander of AFSOC. “As we officially inactivate
[AFSOAWC] and activate the 492nd [SOW], I’m reminded of an old military adage, ‘History makes you
smart-heritage makes you proud.’ And I'm certainly proud today. Proud of where we have been, proud of
where we are, and especially proud of where we are going.”
The designator for the 492nd SOW dates back to WWII when the 801st Bombardment Group was
established at Harrington Field, England, in September 1943. Almost a year later, it would be
redesignated as the 492nd Bombardment Group, a cover for their secret mission—Operation
Carpetbagger. The Office of Special Services, a predecessor to the CIA, used the 492nd BG to secretly
arm the French. During the war, the 492nd BG helped deliver more than 5,000 tons of supplies including
18,535 containers, 10,700 packages, 662 spies and approximately one million gallons of fuel.
Three members of the 492nd BG, known as Carpetbaggers, were present for the activation ceremony that
honored their performance, professionalism and heroism…..
Eglin AFB
AF deputy chief of staff briefs community leaders
By KELLY HUMPHREY, Posted May 8, 2017 at 5:26 PM, Updated May 8, 2017 at 5:26 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170508/af-deputy-chief-of-staff-briefs-community-leaders
NICEVILLE — Lieutenant Gen. John Cooper has three words to describe the current state of the U.S.
Air Force.
Busy. Busy. Busy.
“The active duty folks here look tired, and there’s a reason for that,” Cooper said. “They’re leading great
airmen doing great things all over the world.”
The Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for logistics spoke to members of the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber
of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee and other community leaders during a breakfast at Northwest
Florida State College on Monday. Cooper pointed to activities by Russia, China, North Korea and
“violent extremists” as reasons why the Air Force is challenged on every continent.
“We find ourselves speeding up at the same time we’re getting smaller,” Cooper said. “We have no
shortage of customers wanting us to apply our trade.”
Cooper pointed out that the active duty force is 39 percent smaller than during the Desert Storm era of the
early 1990s. At the same time, there are 59 percent fewer fighter aircraft in the Air Force’s fleet, and a
shortage of trained pilots to fly the aircraft that are available……
Tyndall AFB
Military Children Step in Their Parents’ Boots
By Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa325th Fighter Wing, 11 May 2017
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1180413/military-children-step-in-their-parents-boots/
0
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., May 11, 2017 — The 325th Force Support Squadron and the
base Family Readiness Center gave military children the opportunity to experience what their parents go
through when they deploy overseas during the annual Jr. Raptor deployment experience event held May 6
at the Tyndall Youth Center and Silver Flag Field here.
Jr. Raptor is a program that has been going on for over a decade, benefiting military children by providing
educational and hands-on activities with what some of their parents do to support the Tyndall mission.
‘The Child Gets to See What Their Parent Does’
“The child gets to see what their parent does, but typically won’t get to see what other parents do,” said
Rebecca Mroczkowski, 325th FSS community readiness specialist. “[Jr. Raptor] gives them an idea on
how to talk to other children and understand what their parents do when they are gone or at work. It’s an
eye-opening experience for them.”…..
Camp Blanding
Florida Army National Guard prepares for hurricanes
and other disasters
By KELLY HUMPHREY, Posted May 8, 2017 at 1:31 PM, Updated May 8, 2017 at 1:32 PM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170508/florida-army-national-guard-prepares-for-hurricanes-and-otherdisasters
CRESTVIEW — While the 2017 hurricane season doesn’t officially begin until June 1, members of the
Florida Army National Guard are busy preparing for the worst Mother Nature has to offer.
Units across Florida are taking part in HURREX, the statewide preparedness exercise that coordinates
with emergency management officials, first responders and other organizations that spring into action
when a natural disaster is on the horizon. For decades, those forces have included members of the units
assigned to the Army National Guard Armory in Crestview.
Now home to the 870th Engineer Company, the armory traces its lineage back to 1948, when the National
Guard first organized Battery C of the 265th Coast Artillery Battalion. Since then, hundreds of citizen
soldiers have trained and drilled at the brick, two-story building in preparation for active service at home
and in combat zones all over the world.
While most of the company’s members are traditional National Guard soldiers who travel to the armory
one weekend a month and two weeks a year, a handful of folks work at the armory full-time. One of them
is Sgt. First Class Martin Cuellar, a Palm Beach native who joined the National Guard shortly after Sept.
11, 2001.
Inspired to serve his country after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the then 17-year-old Cuellar
enlisted and was promptly sent to fight in the War on Terror. After that first deployment, he came home
and signed up for the Active Guard Reserve, which allows him to serve full-time in a FLNG unit……
MacDill AFB
Keep 'em flying: MacDill crews keep aging KC-135 in
the fight
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Monday, May 8, 2017 5:00am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/keep-em-flying-macdill-crews-keep-aging-kc-135-in-thefight/2322936
Last December, a KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling jet out of MacDill Air Force Base was forced to
shut down one of its four engines during a flight over Florida.
No one was injured, and the aging plane, which rolled off the assembly line when John F. Kennedy was
president, landed safely.
But Air Force Col. April Vogel, the base commander, wasn't taking any chances. She immediately
ordered inspections of each of MacDill's 16 tankers, shared and maintained by the 6th Air Mobility Wing
and the 927th Air Refueling Wing. It took crews working 12-hour shifts three months to complete the
inspections on the aircraft, valued at a total of nearly $1 billion.
Such efforts highlight the challenges MacDill crews face trying to keep the KC-135s in the air at a time
when they are flying nearly 2 1/2 times their scheduled hours fleet-wide, largely as a result of the ongoing
fight against the Islamic State.
Every five minutes, tankers like the ones at MacDill refuel an aircraft heading to strike ISIS. Overall, they
made more than 110,000 refueling flights last year just in the U.S. Central Command region alone,
according to the Air Force.
Each tanker carries a maximum of 200,000 pounds of fuel, enough to fill the average car about 2,500
times. It's delivered midair via an extending boom at the back. MacDill tankers fly 19,000 hours and
deliver 186 million pounds of fuel to about 14,000 aircraft every year…….
MacDill AFB groundwater to be tested for toxic
chemicals from firefighting foam
By: Rachael Kalinyak, May 9, 2017
https://www.airforcetimes.com/articles/macdill-afb-groundwater-to-be-tested-for-toxic-chemicals-from-firefightingfoam
The Air Force plans to send environmental health inspectors to Mac Dill Air Force Base this summer to
test the groundwater for contamination from a firefighting foam, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Recently, it was discovered that the top choice for fighting petroleum based fires, Aqueous Film Forming
Foam, is not entirely safe. The Air Force has been testing groundwater for perfluorinated compounds at
air bases around the country. More than 200 installations have been tested, 20 of which are undergoing
some form of cleanup, the paper reported.
The chemicals have not been detected in Mac Dill's drinking water, officials said.
Studies on animals done by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found the foam
to disrupt endocrine activity, reduce function of the immune system, damage organs and even cause
developmental issues within offspring. Human studies have suggested conflicting results, some
suggesting the foam is damaging while others remain inconclusive.
An Air Force spokesperson told the paper that the Air Force has awarded a $6.2 million contract to
replace firefighting foam used in fire vehicles to reduce the risk of possible contamination of soil and
groundwater.
Cape Canaveral AFS
Sonic boom rattles Central Florida as secret military
space shuttle lands at Kennedy Space Center
Roger Simmons, Contact Reporter, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/go-for-launch/os-sonic-boom-military-space-shuttle-0507-story.html
It’s no secret that a sonic boom rattled Central Florida early Sunday morning. What caused it was a nearly
2-year-old secret military space mission that ended at Kennedy Space Center.
The U.S. Air Force confirmed that its X-37B unmanned mini space shuttle landed at KSC after spending
718 days in orbit. The spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station atop a United Launch
Alliance Atlas V rocket on May 20, 2015.
What it has been doing circling the planet all this time is the secret part that military officials won’t
discuss, though many experts believe it has intelligence-gathering equipment. What the military did
confirm in a news release is that mini shuttle is “an experimental test program to demonstrate
technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. Air Force.”
This was fourth space trip for the 29-foot-long, 11,000-pound mini shuttle, but it was the first time it has
landed in Florida — which is why Sunday’s sonic boom provided an unexpected wake-up call…..
NASA gets funding bump in budget deal
Senator Nelson Press Release, May 4, 2017
https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nasa-gets-funding-bump-in-budget-deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today, by a vote of 79 – 18, approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill to
fund the federal government through September.
The measure includes $19.65 billion for NASA, which is $368 million more than the space agency
received last year and $145 million more than Congress had approved for the agency earlier this year.
Today, congressional leaders credited U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) for getting the additional funding
included in the bill.
"NASA had actually been targeted for certain cuts … but thanks to the advocacy of Senator Nelson,
NASA will get an increase of $368 million," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said on the
Senate floor this morning. "There is no one in the Senate who has done more for our [space program] than
Bill Nelson."
Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee which oversees NASA, says the additional
funding will help expand commercial space activity along Florida's Space Coast and keep NASA on track
to put humans on Mars within the next quarter-century…..
Defense Industry
Lockheed Martin moving 300 ballistic missile jobs to
Brevard
by WKMG ClickOrlando, Posted: 1:44 PM, May 05, 2017Updated: 1:44 PM, May 05, 2017
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/space-news/lockheed-martin-moving-300-ballistic-missile-jobs-to-brevard
Lockheed Martin Corp. plans to move about 300 fleet ballistic missile program jobs from California to
the Space Coast during 2018 and 2019.
Brevard County Commission Chairman Curt Smith disclosed details of Lockheed's plans following a
meeting this week in the Washington area with Lockheed officials.
Smith said the jobs will include senior management of the ballistic missile program, News 6 partner
Florida Today reported.
Matt Kramer, director of external communications for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., said the
Lockheed staff moving to the Space Coast will work on "mission sustainment" functions — such as
testing and maintenance — for the Navy's Trident II D-5 Fleet Ballistic Missile.
The Trident II D5 is the latest generation of the U.S. Navy's submarine-launched fleet ballistic missiles.
First deployed in 1990, the Trident II D5 currently is aboard U.S. Navy Ohio-class submarines and British
Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines.
Kramer said the Lockheed Martin has not determined specifically where in Brevard the new Space Coast
jobs will be based or the exact timeline of the move. He said most of the jobs are likely to shift to the
Space Coast in 2019.
Smith was part of a delegation on a trip coordinated by the Economic Development Commission of
Florida's Space Coast that also included meetings with Defense Department officials and representatives
of space and aerospace companies. Smith said Air Force Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander of the
45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, also participated in many of the meetings……
DiBello: Florida must grow aerospace talent pipeline
James Dean and Wayne T. Price , Florida Today, Published 6:11 p.m. ET May 9, 2017 | Updated 15 hours ago
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/05/09/dibello-florida-must-grow-aerospace-talentpipeline/101428348/
A shortage of aerospace talent threatens to become the “Achilles heel” in state efforts to grow the
industry, Space Florida CEO Frank DiBello said Tuesday.
“I would even go so far as to say that this is the area I am most worried about for our aerospace future,”
DiBello told several hundred guests at a National Space Club Florida Committee meeting in Cape
Canaveral.
The state in recent years has won several major aerospace projects promising hundreds of jobs with
companies like Blue Origin, Embraer, Northrop Grumman and OneWeb Satellites.
The Space Coast, anchored by the civil and military and space programs at Kennedy Space Center and
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, has long been a hub for skilled aerospace workers.
And new companies had a ready supply to draw from after the retirement of NASA’s shuttle program in
2011 resulted in roughly 8,000 layoffs of contractors.
But looking ahead, DiBello said Florida does not produce enough aerospace-related degrees and lags a
dozen states in attracting federal funding for space-related research, metrics that need to improve.
There is a risk that companies will simply poach each other's employees instead of bringing in new blood.
“While we’ve been successful in capturing multiple new aerospace initiatives here in the state, if their
primary source of new employees is to hire their work force away from other companies already here,
then that is a zero-sum game that Florida will lose,” DiBello said.
“If we are not responsive to these concerns, this will become Florida’s aerospace Achilles heel,” he
said…..
State, local leaders welcome GKN Aerospace
By CAREY BRAUER, News Herald Reporter, Posted May 9, 2017 at 4:25 PM, Updated May 9, 2017 at 4:39 PM
http://www.newsherald.com/news/20170509/state-local-leaders-welcome-gkn-aerospace
WEST BAY – A banner plane circling GKN Aerospace’s newest facility carried a warm message for
visitors as they gathered under a bright white tent: “Bay County welcomes GKN Aerospace.”
State and local leaders had gathered Tuesday at the company’s new facility near Northwest Florida
Beaches International Airport to welcome the arrival of the much-anticipated manufacturing company.
“Every now and then in the life of a community, a window opens up and you get to look a little bit into
the future, and today, this morning, is one of those times,” said Wayne Stubbs, port executive director and
chairman of the Bay Economic Development Alliance. “A window opened up, we looked a little bit into
the future, and we see our future here is brighter than we thought it was.”
In February, GKN Aerospace, a multibillion-dollar global aircraft supply company, announced it will
build a manufacturing facility in Bay County. The new facility at Northwest Florida Beaches International
Airport is the company’s first site in the state…..
DoD Budget
Mattis OK With Defense Spending Boost — for Now
POSTED BY: RICHARD SISK MAY 9, 2017
HTTPS://WWW.DODBUZZ.COM/2017/05/09/MATTIS-OK-DEFENSE-SPENDING-BOOST-NOW/
He wanted more, but Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he was satisfied with the military spending
increase approved last week by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump.
“This is an important step toward rebuilding military readiness at a time when we are confronting serious
security challenges throughout the globe,” Mattis said.
“These additional funds will accelerate the campaign to defeat ISIS, support ongoing operations in
Afghanistan and address critical budget shortfalls,” he added, referring to the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria.
The additional funding of at least $15 billion — some estimated it was $21 billion — for the military was
included in the $1.07 trillion federal budget resolution for the rest of fiscal 2017. The agreement was
signed last Friday by Trump to avoid a government shutdown
The omnibus bill included a $15 billion boost in supplemental defense spending, about half the amount
sought by Trump. The funding is designated as Overseas Contingency Operations spending, which does
not count against statutory budget caps…..
Other Of Interest
Army secretary nominee Mark Green officially drops
out
By: Leo Shane III and Charlsy Panzino, May 5, 2017
http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/army-sec-mark-green-drops-out
WASHINGTON — Army secretary nominee Mark Green officially withdrew his name on Friday from
consideration for the Pentagon post, saying his nomination had become an unfortunate distraction for the
White House.
“I am honored that President Trump nominated me for this position,” Green said in a statement. “I
appreciate his support and confidence in me, as well as that of Secretary Mattis and many others, and their
desire to make America great again by preparing our military to face the many challenges in this world
for the safety and security of our nation.
“But to meet these challenges, there should be no distractions. And unfortunately, due to false and
misleading attacks against me, this nomination has become a distraction.”
The withdrawal is the latest major setback for President Trump’s efforts to staff his Defense Department.
Green is the second nominee this year to step away from the Army secretary post, and the third service
secretary nominee to drop out of the process before a confirmation hearing.
It leaves the administration still searching for permanent civilian leaders for both the Army and Navy. Air
Force secretary nominee Heather Wilson is expected to be confirmed by the Senate on Monday…..
US Senate confirms Heather Wilson as Air Force
secretary, 76-22
By: Joe Gould, May 8, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/senate-confirms-wilson-as-air-force-secretary-76-22
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Monday approved the nomination of former congresswoman
Heather Wilson to become the secretary of the Air Force in a bipartisan 76-22 vote.
As pressure builds on President Donald Trump to fill Pentagon jobs, Wilson’s confirmation is a signal
that Democrats may go easier on his national security picks than his other nominees, at least after their
names officially reach the Senate. Lawmakers of both parties have expressed concerns over the sluggish
pace at which Trump is filling Defense Department jobs.
Twenty-five Democrats joined with the 51 Republicans who voted "yes" for Wilson. All 22 "no" votes
were Democrats.
Wilson is the first service secretary confirmed to serve in the Trump administration. The vote came after
Army secretary nominee Mark Green officially withdrew his name Friday amid scrutiny over his
unfavorable comments on Islam, homosexuality and transgender rights connected to his work as a
Tennessee state senator.
Green was the second nominee this year to step away from the Army secretary post and the third service
secretary nominee to drop out before a confirmation hearing. Retired senior diplomat Anne Patterson’s
name was withdrawn from consideration for the Pentagon's top policy job in March after rumors of a
potential Senate fight.
On Tuesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee will consider the nominations of David Norquist to
be defense undersecretary/comptroller; Robert Daigle to be director of cost assessment and program
evaluation at the Defense Department and Elaine McCusker to be principal deputy defense
undersecretary/comptroller.
Wilson is expected to be sworn within a week, according to the Air Force…..
Trump wants to grow the Navy, but he doesn't have
his own Navy secretary to sell it
By: David B. Larter, May 9, 2017
https://www.navytimes.com/articles/trump-wants-to-grow-the-navy-but-he-doesnt-have-his-own-secnav-to-sellit?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%2005.10.2017&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
Its been nearly five months but there is no definitive word yet on who President Trump's new secretary of
the Navy will be, and experts say that's soon going to start having an impact on one of Trump's signature
campaign promises: a bigger, more deadly Navy.
Trump's first nominee, financier Philip Bilden, dropped out of consideration in late February after he
proved unable to fully disentangle his complex financial ties from a career spent in Hong Kong. Now
Trump's new presumptive nominee, a former Marine pilot and financier Richard Spencer, is also caught
up in a mess of financial entanglements that have proved tricky to unwind, according to two sources with
close knowledge of the situation.
While there is no immediate indication that Spencer intends to withdraw his name from consideration,
there can be no doubt that Trump has had difficulty filling the top civilian jobs in the Army and
Department of the Navy. Trump's first nominees for Army and Navy secretary both dropped out citing
business and financial ties, and last week Trump's second Army secretary nominee, Mark Green,
withdrew in a wave of controversy over statements about transgender service members and Muslims.
New Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson was confirmed by the Senate Monday, the first nominee at the
Department of Defense to be confirmed since James Mattis. Congress and defense experts say that if
Trump is serious about growing the fleet, he's going to have to move on filling the rest of the top spots in
the department, which will include the undersecretary and a slate of assistant secretaries……
Nelson, Rubio introduce bill to reform VA
Senator Nelson Press Release, May 11, 2017
https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/nelson-rubio-introduce-bill-to-reform-va
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced legislation
today aimed at reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs by making it easier for the VA Secretary to
fire poorly-performing employees.
The legislation aimed at holding VA employees more accountable would also create new protections for
VA whistleblowers and ensure that employees who are terminated have an adequate opportunity to appeal
their dismissal.
“This bill will help the VA provide better care to our veterans by removing the bad actors and protecting
the good ones,” Nelson said. “The brave men and women who have served our country deserve nothing
but the best, and this bill is another small step in ensuring that they receive the care they deserve.”
For years, the VA has been plagued by reports of inefficiency and long wait times. VA Secretary David
Shulkin has repeatedly expressed support for legislation to hold VA employees more accountable.
The legislation filed today is the third bill Nelson has sponsored in as many years to hold VA employees
more accountable. Nelson says that while he believes it’s important to hold poorly-performing employees
accountable, he also believes it’s important to protect the rights of those employees who may have been
wrongly terminated, especially at the lower levels, by giving them an opportunity to appeal a supervisor’s
decision to fire them……
May 19
Task Force members,
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #55 will be a conference call on Thursday, 15 June
2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi Launches New Program – According to the 17
May 2017 announcement, “The Military and Veterans Assistance Program (“MVAP”) is
an initiative within the Florida Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection
Division, which seeks to serve the unique needs of Florida’s military servicemembers,
reservists, and veterans. The program was developed to address several concerns that
were identified while speaking to military members and veterans across the state.” See
attachment for more details.
4. Next Florida Defense Economic Impact Study and Factbook – Staff received three
bids to complete the next Factbook during the open period. Matrix Inc. was selected to
produce the study and will be placed on contract in July 2017. We expect to have the
study complete and the new Factbook out by the end of the calendar year.
5. Honor Flight Tallahassee – Honor Flight Tallahassee’s mission is to transport North
Florida and South Georgia veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials
dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices. The next Honor Flight will take place this
Saturday, May 20 2017, out of Tallahassee International Airport (itinerary
attached). There is opportunity to be part of the event through seeing veterans off in the
morning (early AM) or to be there to take part in the Hero’s greeting when they return to
Tallahassee at 9:40 PM. For more information, visit their website at
http://honorflighttallahassee.org/
6. Air Force Space News – According to recent release from Air Force Space Command,
“The Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, along with the
commanders of Air Force Space Command and the Space and Missile Systems Center,
testified on military space organization, policy, and programs to the Senate Armed
Services Committee Strategic Forces subcommittee today” [17 May 2017]. I have
attached the Military Space Policy written statement provided by the SECAF to the
Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) subcommittee for your information. It is a
good addition to the brief we had yesterday from Space Florida as to the pressures on
launch facilities in the future for military space missions.
7. Attachments:
 MVAP Program Brief
 Honor Flight Itinerary
 SASC Military Space Policy
 Team Orlando New Letter (2017-May-10 4)
 TPG Bi-weekly Conference Call Memo
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
BRAC
Report: House Armed Services Chair not ruling out a
new round of base realignment and closures
Jeff Martin, [email protected], May 12, 2017 Updated 1 hr ago
http://www.waaytv.com/redstone_alabama/report-house-armed-services-chair-not-ruling-out-anew/article_423318b8-3758-11e7-a43f-63304b8f25f9.html
House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), one of the most powerful lawmakers in
national defense policy, isn't ruling out another round of base closures, according to an interview he
conducted with National Defense Magazine.
"I will not rule out another BRAC. If we have one, it will be a lot narrower and more specifically defined
than the last one, which has left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, including mine," Thornberry said
in the interview. "
The Texas Republican also added that " I suspect there will be a push to have another BRAC. And we’ll
look at that. As long as I’m around, we will not have a repeat of 2005 — the last time we had a BRAC
round."
He's referring to the 2005 round, which has remained very unpopular in Congress due to job cuts within
congressional districts and the cost to move units from base to base.
In January, the House Armed Services Committee's ranking Democrat, Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced
a bill to start a new round of BRAC. "We should not be wasting hard-earned taxpayer money to maintain
excess infrastructure that DOD has determined it does not need," Smith said at the time.
Redstone Arsenal had several units and missions move to North Alabama in the 2005 round, and it could
stand to gain from additional realignment…..
Tyndall AFB
Air Force Sees Unique Challenges in Deploying Stealth
Fighters
Military.com | 13 May 2017 | by Oriana Pawlyk
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/05/13/air-force-sees-unique-challenges-in-deploying-stealth-fighters.html
With initial overseas deployments of both the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor completed, the
Air Force has a better understanding of the unique maintenance challenges required by its most advanced
stealth fighters.
The service this month completed the F-35A's first training deployment to Europe and plans to
permanently base a squadron of the aircraft on the continent, beginning in 2021. (The service doesn't
currently have any F-35As overseas, although the Marine Corps earlier this year stationed a squadron of
F-35Bs at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.)
Air Force officials said much of the work needed to prepare bases abroad to accommodate the fifthgeneration fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin comes down to the different processes for maintaining
stealth technology on the aircraft.
"The F-22 is a fifth-generation fighter, but its stealth technology is different than what the F-35 has,"
Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, a former F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot who directs the Joint Strike Fighter program
integration office, recently said. For example, the Raptor's "stealth ... skin takes much more maintenance
actions to maintain the stealth capabilities of the airplane than the F-35,” he said, largely because it's older
technology……
NS Mayport
Mayport hosts ceremony for sailors killed in attack on
USS Stark 30 years ago
By Joe Daraskevich, Posted May 17, 2017 06:00 am | Updated May 17, 2017 10:59 am
http://jacksonville.com/news/military/2017-05-17/watch-mayport-hosts-ceremony-sailors-killed-attack-ussstark-30-years-ago
Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of a missile strike that killed 37 sailors on the Mayport-based
USS Stark as it was on patrol in the Arabian Gulf.
The ship was severely damaged when two Iraqi Exocet missiles struck the frigate, but efforts by the crew
saved the ship from sinking. It was decommissioned in 1999.
A remembrance ceremony will take place at Mayport Naval Station on Wednesday at 10 a.m. to honor the
sailors who died in the attack.
Others who were part of the crew and family members of the fallen return each year to pay their respects
during the ceremony.
The ceremony will take place at Mayport’s memorial park, established the August following the attack in
1987 with the dedication of the USS Stark Monument.
NAS Jacksonville
VP-8 ‘Fighting Tigers’ hold change of command
By Lt. j.g. John Waters, VP-8 Public Affairs Officer, Thu, 05/11/2017 - 1:37pm
http://jaxairnews.jacksonville.com/military-jax-air-news/2017-05-11/story/vp-8-%E2%80%98fightingtigers%E2%80%99-hold-change-command#.WRXeyhPyvIU
Cmdr. Edward Kribs assumed command of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 from Cmdr. Christopher Woods
during a traditional change of command ceremony aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, May 4. Kribs is
the 69th commanding officer of the VP-8 “Fighting Tigers.”
Kribs assumes the reins of VP-8 in the midst of a busy optimized fleet response plan, as the squadron
works up to its next deployment in the fall. “It has been a tremendous honor to work with Skipper Wood
over the past year, and I am especially grateful to have the opportunity to work with every Tiger to
complete our mission as we prepare to return to 7th Fleet this year,” said Kribs, a native of Granite Bay,
California.
Kribs graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in
Oceanography and earned his naval aviator wings in October 2001.
After receiving initial P-3 training with VP-30 at NAS Jacksonville, he reported to the “Grey Knights” of
VP-46 at Whidbey Island, Washington. He deployed to 5th Fleet in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002. In 2004, he deployed to 7th Fleet in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom. His duties included aircrew training officer, quality assurance officer and pilot
training officer. He earned his qualification as a weapons tactics instructor (WTI), instructor pilot,
mission commander and assistant NATOPS evaluator.
In February 2006, Kribs joined VP-30 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) instructor pilot. While
there, he was assigned to the VP-30 Weapons Tactics Unit as the WTI program manager and the
instructor under training (IUT)/standardization pilot where he trained and qualified all incoming fleet
replacement squadron (FRS) instructor pilots. He earned his qualification as a FRS NATOPS evaluator,
FRS IUT instructor pilot, and FRS instructor pilot. He also received a Master of Business Administration
Degree from the University of Florida…..
British Royal Navy visits NAS Jax
By MC3 Robyn Melvin, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Southeast Posted: Wed, 05/17/2017 - 1:50pm
http://jaxairnews.jacksonville.com/military-jax-air-news/2017-05-17/story/british-royal-navy-visits-nasjax#.WR36QfnyvIU
Sailors from the British Royal navy arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville May 3, to assemble
their new Helicopter Maritime Attack (HMA2) Wildcat, which will accompany the Royal navy fleet
auxiliary fast fleet tanker (RFA) Wave Knight (A389), on a seven-month deployment.
In order to make the transatlantic journey from the United Kingdom to the U.S., the Wildcat was
disassembled and shipped with the crew on a C-17 cargo plane to NAS Jacksonville to be reassembled.
The base provided accommodations and support while the team completed their task of building the
helicopter.
“We give them hazardous material support, we help with any logistic issues and we provide them with
hangar space for their helicopter,” said Doug Chaney, NAS Jacksonville airfield manager. “We also
provide them with administrative space. Basically we give them the same services that we give our U.S.
detachments, and we do whatever we can to support them.”
After the helicopter is reassembled, it will be transported to Naval Station Mayport where their ship the
RFA Wave Knight is temporarily docked and awaiting deployment. It is typical to have a Westland Lynx
helicopter accompany the ship, however for this deployment they are introducing an upgraded model
called the Wildcat.
“The radar and the camera are the main differences between the Wildcat and the Lynx,” said Lt. Amy
Gilmore, flight commander of the Wildcat. “The Wildcat works really well as a surveillance platform
now because our sensors have been increased. Our new radar can see up to 200 miles where as the Lynx
could only see up to 50 miles, and our radar can see 360 degrees as opposed to just in front of us.”
While in Jacksonville they have also been training with the U.S. Coast Guard in order to improve their
counter narcotics procedures….
Families learn about pilot training at OLF
Whitehouse
By Kaylee LaRocque, NAS Jacksonville Public Affairs Officer, Posted: Wed, 05/17/2017 - 1:46pm
http://jaxairnews.jacksonville.com/military-jax-air-news/2017-05-17/story/families-learn-about-pilot-training-olfwhitehouse#.WR367vnyvIU
Several families living near Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Whitehouse, were invited to the airstrip to
learn about pilot carrier qualifications May 10.
The Scarborough and Ellis families are willing landowners who allowed the Navy to purchase
easement/development rights to their property near OLF Whitehouse following the guidance of a multiyear agreement that the Navy has with the City of Jacksonville.
This effort falls under the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Integration (REPI )
Program. The REPI Program is a key tool for combating encroachment that can limit or restrict military
training, testing, and operations. The program protects operational and training missions by helping to
remove or avoid land-use conflicts near installations and addressing regulatory restrictions that inhibit
military activities.
The REPI Program is administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. A key component of the
program is the use of buffer partnerships among military services, private conservation groups, and state
and local governments, authorized by Congress. These win-win partnerships share the cost of acquisition
of easements or other interests in land from willing sellers to preserve compatible land uses and natural
habitats near installations and ranges that helps sustain critical, at-risk military mission
capabilities. While REPI’s primary mission is to protect military readiness, REPI also benefits the
environment by conserving land near military installations and ranges.
“The willingness of private citizens like the Ellis and Scarborough families allows NAS Jacksonville to
prevent encroachment of the Navy’s facilities and installations,” explained Matt Schellhorn, NAS
Jacksonville community planning liaison officer. “Encroachment is any external factor that inhibits
military readiness, including but not limited to the growing competition for land, airspace, waterfront
access, and frequency spectrum. Incompatible land uses can significantly impact critical, at-risk military
mission capabilities at different scales over time.”…….
MacDill AFB
Reservists Provide Force Integration
By Staff Sgt. Xavier Lockley, 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs / Published May 16, 2017
http://www.dobbins.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1183590/reservists-provide-force-integration/
RAF Mildenhall, England – Members of the 927th Force Support Squadron headed home May 14 to
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, after serving their annual tour the past two weeks with the 100th FSS at
RAF Mildenhall, England.
While at Mildenhall, the members of the 927th FSS worked in the dining facility, personnel office,
lodging facility and the gym.
“When we got word that we were coming here, I immediately thought how great this opportunity would
be for our Airmen,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kathy McNeil, 927th FSS superintendent. “Everyday that we
were here, they consistently brought forth the effort that we can be proud of.”
During the two weeks, the 927th FSS military personnel section was able to provide the active duty with
information about a highly effective Sharepoint program.
“The introduction to the the Sharepoint program was extremely helpful to our office,” said Master Sgt.
Prentice McAfee, 100th FSS MPS superintendent. “The men and women of the 927th FSS were really
essential in helping out with how we can efficiently service customers at a faster pace than before. The
way they came and helped us is really what the Air Force is about.”
The Airmen of the 927th FSS were able to gain valuable experience from this trip. Different vantage
points from the active duty gave some reservists a new perspective……
MacDill refueling squadron named tops in Air Force
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Wednesday, May 17, 2017 3:44pm
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/altman-macdill-refueling-squadron-named-tops-in-airforce/2324256
The Air Force recently recognized the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at
Mac-Dill Air Force Base, as the most outstanding air refueling squadron in the service.
The squadron, which flies 16 KC-135 Stratotanker jets, was awarded the prestigious Gen. Carl A. Spaatz
trophy for meritorious service for 2016. The squadron last received the award nearly 30 years ago,
according to the wing.
The award is based on performance in seven areas: the mission, air crew upgrading and training, safety
record, air crew enhancement and retention, outstanding individual and crew accomplishments, military
and civilian education, and base and community relations.
"The achievements of our members over the past year have contributed to the success of the squadron and
have made positive impacts that have been felt ... Air Force wide," squadron commander Lt. Col. Craig
Lauderdale said on the wing's website…..
US Central Command
Jay B. Silveria nominated for Air Force Academy
superintendent position
POSTED BY PAM ZUBECK ON WED, MAY 17, 2017 AT 5:42 PM
HTTP://WWW.CSINDY.COM/THEWIRE/ARCHIVES/2017/05/17/NOMINEE-FOR-AIR-FORCE-ACADEMYCHIEF-NAMED
President Trump has nominated Maj. Gen. Jay B. Silveria to take over as superintendent of the Air Force
Academy, the Academy announced in a news release Wednesday.
A 1985 Academy grad, Silveria is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flight hours in a variety of
aircraft, including the F-35A and F-15C/E.
He's currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, and deputy commander,
Combined Air Force Component, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he will replace Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, who recently was named a
finalist for the position of chancellor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs but was not
chosen for the post…..
US Special Operations Command
Cool gadgets, new ideas on display at SOFIC, Tampa's
annual commando conference
Howard Altman, Times Staff Writer, Monday, May 15, 2017 5:00am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/cool-gadgets-new-ideas-on-display-at-sofic-tampas-annualcommando/2323707
For the next four days, the Tampa Convention Center will become a commando big box store, where the
nation's Special Operations Forces can shop for much-needed equipment and services.
The annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) convenes at the convention center
starting today. A collaboration between U.S. Special Operations Command, headquartered at MacDill Air
Force Base, and the National Defense Industry Association, the conference is also a marketplace of ideas.
SOCom officials will meet with industry and academia to lay out the kinds of goods and services they
need in an increasingly challenging world. It's a world where commandos have been on the tip of the
spear for the past 15 years in the fight against jihadis. And they now face new threats from countries like
Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
"Folks look to this conference as a premier venue bringing everyone together to look at the tough
problems the nation, as well as special operations, is facing," said Jim "Hondo" Geurts, SOCom's
acquisition chief, whose unit spends billions a year from its headquarters at MacDill.
This year's conference will be the biggest ever, said Geurts, with more than 10,000 individuals and 400
companies expected to attend.
It's an important juncture for SOCom and its industry partners….
Coming soon: A SOFWERX for drones and robots
By: Jen Judson, May 16, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/coming-soon-a-sofwerx-for-drones-and-robots
TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Special Operations Command is launching a new effort to tackle drone and
robotics technology hurdles rapidly, the same way it experiments with other capability problem sets
through its SOFWERX model.
SOFWERX — which resides in a downtown Tampa warehouse — is an environment designed to allow
industry, academia and individuals to interface in an unclassified setting where ideas and technology can
converge in an experimental and collaborative way.
The Strategic Capabilities Office and USSOCOM recognized that the SOFWERX model — that brings
diverse communities together, “from hackers to makers” — would work well when it comes to tackling
some of the most challenging robotics and autonomous problem sets, James “Hondo” Geurts, the
acquisition executive for Special Operations Forces Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics, told Defense
News in an interview at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference on Tuesday.
While Geurts is still working on a name that reflects the plan to focus not just on unmanned aircraft
systems but robotics as a whole, it is being called “DroneWerx” for now.
USSOCOM is embarking on the effort immediately and expects to be up and running in less than 90 days
from now, Geurts said…..
Cape Canaveral AFS
SpaceX launches second satellite in just 14 days
By WILLIAM HARWOOD CBS NEWS, May 15, 2017, 10:01 PM
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-launches-second-satellite-in-14-days/
Under a clear sunset sky, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket streaked into space Monday, boosting a heavy
Inmarsat communications satellite into orbit in the California rocket builder's second flight in just two
weeks, its sixth so far this year.
Thirty-two minutes after liftoff, the Inmarsat-5 F4 satellite -- the fourth in a global constellation of highspeed Ka-band relay stations serving aircraft, ships at sea and other government and commercial users
around the world -- was released into the planned highly elliptical orbit.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches spy satellite

SpaceX successfully launches satellite in historic flight with "used" booster
Over the next 90 days or so, the bus-size satellite's on-board thrusters will be used to circularize the orbit
22,300 miles above the equator where the relay station will turn in lockstep with Earth and appear
stationary in the sky. It is joining three virtually identical Boeing-built satellites in Inmarsat's $1.6 billion
Global Xpress constellation.
"It's the first global seamless broadband service specifically designed for mobile applications," Michele
Franci, chief technology officer at Inmarsat, told Spaceflight Now. "That is the background of Inmarsat,
mobile applications, so this constellation, and the entire network around it, has been designed to be
optimized for mobile users."…
U.S. Air Force Plans For Weekly Launches
From Florida
Article Sources: USAF, T h u r s d a y , M a y 1 8 , 2 0 1 7
http://space.brevardtimes.com/2017/05/us-air-force-plans-for-weekly-launches.html
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - The U.S. Air Force is preparing for weekly launches from Florida's
Space Coast.
Currently, the 45th Space Wing is on track to support thirty launches this year from Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.
The space wing and its Eastern Range assets provide a vast network of radar, telemetry and
communications instruments to facilitate the safe launch of all Department of Defense National Security
Space, NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commercial operations.
According to Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, the 45th Space Wing commander, the wing is developing plans
to enable a launch a week to meet the growing demand of national, civil and commercial organizations to
put capabilities on orbit.
One key initiative in reducing the time between launches is the implementation of the Autonomous Flight
Safety System (AFSS). The system enables the 45th Space Wing to support more launches by expediting
range turnaround times with more stringent safety standards, all while cutting launch costs.
A self-contained, independent system mounted to the launch vehicle, AFSS determines if the launch
vehicle poses an unacceptable hazard to people or property by using pre-established, programmed mission
rules developed by Range Safety Flight Analysts. These configurable software-based rules are reliant on
redundant flight processors using data from Global Positioning System and inertial measurement unit
navigation sensors. If necessary, AFSS has the ability to destroy the rocket to ensure public safety.
Patrick AFB
45th Space Wing enables nation's space mission
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published May 18, 2017
http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1186206/45th-space-wing-enables-nations-space-mission/
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Space launches may soon be an almost weekly sight on Florida's Space
Coast.
As the need for space lift grows globally, partnerships between the Air Force, other government agencies
and the commercial space industry are enhancing the 45th Space Wing's vision of remaining the world's
premier gateway to space.
With a mission of delivering assured space launch, range and combat capabilities for the nation, the space
wing and its Eastern Range assets provide a vast network of radar, telemetry and communications
instruments to facilitate the safe launch of all Department of Defense National Security Space, NASA,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commercial operations.
According to Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, the 45th SW commander, the wing is developing plans to
enable a launch a week to meet the growing demand of national, civil and commercial organizations to
put capabilities on orbit. Today, the wing is on track to launch 30 times this year and has no plans of
slowing down.
One key initiative in reducing the time between launches is the implementation of the Autonomous Flight
Safety System. The system enables the 45th SW to support more launches by expediting range turnaround
times with more stringent safety standards, all while cutting launch costs. However, increasing launch
capacity is only one of many achievements at the 45 SW…..
Avon Park
Large wildfire burning at Air Force Bombing Range in
Avon Park
Sean O'Reilly, 3:43 AM, May 18, 2017, 9:24 AM, May 18, 2017
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/large-wildfire-burning-at-air-force-bombing-range-in-avon-park
AVON PARK, Fla. - State wildland firefighters are working with crews from the Avon Park AIr Force
Bombing Range to battle a large wildfire burning at bombing range on the Highlands-Polk County lines.
Authorities report approximately 8,000 acres is burning south of Arbuckle Lake and southeast of Lake
Wales Ridge State Forest.
Firefighters are setting backfires instead of using firefighting bulldozers to contain the flames due to
safety concerns over unexploded ordinances. Crews will get ahead of the main fire and set fire to
unburned vegetation. This method allows the two fires to burn together and extinguish themselves as they
compete for kindling and oxygen.
Currently the fire is zero percent contained. As of Thursday morning, flames are not threatening any
structures and no evacuations are being issued at this time.
Defense Industry
Work to be done in Tampa Bay on $13M Lockheed
Martin contract
Janelle Irwin, Reporter, Tampa Bay Business Journal, May 17, 2017, 11:33am EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/05/17/work-to-be-done-in-tampa-bay-on-13m-lockheed.html
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems based in Moorestown, New Jersey will complete a portion
of a $13 million government contract job in Clearwater.
The company this week received a government contract to complete a modification to weapon system
computing, display and other equipment on a U.S. Naval vessel.
Most of the work will be conducted in New Jersey at that Lockheed Martin headquarters, but 19 percent
will be completed in Clearwater, according to the contract announced on the U.S. Department of
Defense’s website.
Work must be completed by September 2020. Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin (NYSE:
LMT) has a location in Oldsmar that produces electronic components, with 490 local employees,
according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal's Manufacturers List.
More than 50 companies also won a contract with the U.S. Army on May 15, according to a report by the
U.S Department of Defense. The companies will share part of the contract valued at $37.4 billion. Out of
the total 55 firms, three are in Central Florida, according to the Orlando Business Journal.
DoD Budget
FY'18 BUDGET REQUEST INCLUDES ONE
EXTRA SHIP
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 17 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252777?e=28cebe069c
President Trump’s fiscal 2018 budget request includes funding for only one more warship than the
Obama administration had projected for its FY 2018 proposal, reports Bloomberg. The budget request
adds one Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, falling well short of the shipbuilding pace the Navy says it needs
to expand its fleet from 275 ships to about 350. The Navy initially asked to fund 12 new ships in its FY
2018 proposal rather than the nine being proposed.
Trump is expected to propose $603 billion in defense spending when he releases his full budget May 23.
The request would represent an $18.5 billion increase above the FY 2018 plan the Obama administration
drafted last year.
“With just $18 billion in new spending penciled in,” the administration “is going to be pitching a paper
buildup to the Congress,” said Katherine Blakeley, budget analyst for the nonpartisan Center for Strategic
and Budgetary Assessments.
$603 billion is the magic number for DoD in 2018
By Scott Maucione | @smaucione, WFED, May 18, 2017 12:13 pm
https://federalnewsradio.com/defense-news/2017/05/603-billion-is-the-magic-number-for-dod-in-2018/
The possibility of seeing a huge budget increase for defense in 2018 just got tampered down a bit by a top
House appropriator.
House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) said $603 billion is a
reasonable goal for the 2018 defense appropriations bill. That’s the same amount President Donald Trump
requested in his 2018 budget request.
“I hate to say that when the need is greater, but that’s what we’ll work toward,” Granger, said during a
May 18 Bloomberg event in Washington.
Granger’s comments come as the two top defense authorizers in Congress — Senate Armed Services
Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (RTexas) — are calling for a $640 billion defense budget for 2018.
McCain said the $640 billion is needed because we are living in a “world on fire” and the military’s
readiness is eroding.
“If all things were equal I agree with their number, but I don’t see how we get there particularly with what
we’ve got with that caps and that sort of thing. So if you say, ‘Do we need to be there?’ Yes we do and I
can defend that number and I’ve talked to both of those men about that, but I don’t see how we get to that
number this year. But we can certainly get as close as we can this year and then the next year and the next
year,” Granger said.
Congress funded the Defense Department to $593 billion for 2017…..
New defense budget poised to meet lower expectations
By: Joe Gould and Aaron Mehta, May 19, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/new-defense-budget-poised-to-meet-lowerexpectations?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%205.19.17&utm_term=Editorial%
20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
WASHINGTON — Pro-military U.S. lawmakers believe the Pentagon needs a major boost above U.S.
President Donald Trump's budget, but it’s unlikely Congress will oblige this year.
Trump's 2018 budget request is itself a placeholder at $603 billion — $18.5 billion more than the Obama
administration projected for 2018. On the high end is the $640 billion target advanced by the House and
Senate armed services committee chairmen, which they say is needed to repair a military readiness crisis
Obama left behind.
But powerful House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger, R-Texas, said
Thursday that $603 billion for the 2018 defense appropriations bill is "reasonable" and that $640
billion — which exceeds statutory budget caps by roughly $90 billion — won't be reached “unless
something drops from heaven.”
“I don’t see how we get to that number this year, though we can get as close as we can this year, and the
next year and the next year,” Granger said at a Bloomberg Government event in Washington.
Asked for his reaction later on Thursday, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry,
R-Texas, told reporters that $640 billion is what’s needed to repair underfunded readiness accounts and
“keep the president’s promises.”
“These numbers have real-world consequences,” Thornberry said. “Too often we just split the difference.
… You have to look at the world and say: 'What are we willing to live without?' "…..
Other Of Interest
Operation Outdoor Freedom Reaches 3,000 Wounded
Veterans
Adam Putnam Press Release, May 12, 2017
http://www.freshfromflorida.com/News-Events/Press-Releases/2017-Press-Releases/Operation-Outdoor-FreedomReaches-3-000-Wounded-Veterans
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — With a Cedar Key fishing trip this week, where more than 30 wounded veterans
participated, Operation Outdoor Freedom has officially hosted more than 3,000 wounded veterans on free,
outdoor adventures. Since the program was launched in 2011, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted
nearly 400 outdoor events, such as guided alligator hunts, deer and hog hunts, quail and turkey hunts,
freshwater fishing, canoeing and more, for wounded veterans on state forests, private lands and along the
state's coast.
“Our veterans have sacrificed their safety for our liberty, and Operation Outdoor Freedom is one small
way we can demonstrate our gratitude,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Providing
our wounded veterans opportunities for recreation and rehabilitation in Florida's great outdoors is the least
we can do for those who have done so much for us.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
organizes and hosts events where participants can fish, hunt, boat and more. Outdoor excursions are held
regularly on state forests, private lands and along the state's coast and are funded through private
donations.
Visit OperationOutdoorFreedom.com for more information about how Operation Outdoor Freedom is
working to honor Florida's wounded veterans and how to get involved. All funding for Operation Outdoor
Freedom is generated through private donations and support.
ADMINISTRATION NEEDS A NAVY SECRETARY
TO PROMOTE FLEET BUILDUP
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 16 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252773?e=28cebe069c
President Trump’s lack of a Senate-confirmed nominee to helm the Navy, along with other senior leaders
to support a new secretary, can be expected to slow the administration’s plans to expand the fleet,
according to experts. Without a permanent political appointee, top officials will find it difficult to make
decisions about what tradeoffs to make to afford an increase in shipbuilding.
“A holdover is just not going to be comfortable making big decisions on behalf of the new
administration,” Bryan Clark, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, told
Navy Times. And the issue quickly will become urgent, with the White House scheduled to unveil its full
fiscal 2018 budget proposal next week and the Navy in the midst of crafting the following year’s request.
A confirmed secretary will be needed to make the Navy’s case on Capitol Hill, said Bryan McGrath, a
defense consultant with the FerryBridge Group.
“[Relying on an acting secretary] means the necessary increase in the size and capability of the Navy is
jeopardized, which is something Trump laid out as both a national security and a political goal,” McGrath
said.
Florida Veterans Can Now Use Relevant Military
Training, Education Toward Private Investigator,
Security Guard Licenses
Adam Putnam Press Release, May 15, 2017
http://www.freshfromflorida.com/News-Events/Press-Releases/2017-Press-Releases/Florida-Veterans-Can-NowUse-Relevant-Military-Training-Education-Toward-Private-Investigator-Security-Guard-Licenses
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that
Florida veterans will now receive credit for relevant military training or education when applying for
private investigator and security guard licenses with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services.
“The men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country deserve all of the support we can
provide,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “If a veteran received military police or
security training, we should give them credit for it when they apply to be a private investigator or security
guard.”
To receive credit for relevant military training or education that is substantially similar to the training or
education required for licensure, applicants can submit a DD Form 214 at time of application. Other
official documents showing military training, education, or experience will also be considered, including:
joint services transcripts, training certificates, job evaluation reports, or commanding officer letters
describing particular training or experience and number of hours dedicated to its performance.
Visit FreshFromFlorida.com to learn more.
Florida's military, veterans getting more protection
against scammers
By Jodi Mohrmann - Managing Editor of special projects, Posted: 12:35 PM, May 17, 2017, Updated: 12:35 PM,
May 17, 2017
http://www.news4jax.com/news/military/floridas-military-veterans-getting-more-protection-against-scammers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Service members, military veterans and their families are often targeted by
scammers, and now Florida's Attorney General is doing something new to help protect all of them.
Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi launched the Military and Veterans Assistance
Program or MVAP. It's a new consumer protection program that will directly assist the military and
veteran communities with consumer protection-related issues.
“Florida has more than 90,000 active duty and reserve military members and more than 1.5 million
veterans,” said Bondi. “To the men and women who have put on a uniform to protect our country, we will
continue to do everything we can to protect you from these scammers. As Memorial Day approaches at
the end of this month, I am honored to have the opportunity to assist the heroes who lay their lives on the
line to keep us safe.”
Members of Bondi’s MVAP team will provide resources and information to base JAG officers, county
veteran service officers and other organizations across the state to help service members and veterans
learn how to protect themselves from scams and file complaints.
Coast Guard unloads $500M in cocaine from 20
seizures
By: The Associated Press, May 18, 2017
https://www.navytimes.com/articles/coast-guard-unloads-500m-in-cocaine-from-20seizures?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBB%205.19.17&utm_term=Editorial%20%20Early%20Bird%20Brief
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard is unloading cocaine in South Florida worth
nearly $500 million from 20 separate seizures in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Coast Guard officials said in a news release Thursday the seizures totaled about 18.5 tons of cocaine. The
recently seized drugs were brought to Port Everglades by the cutter Hamilton.
Authorities say the cocaine was intercepted along the Central and South American coasts by Coast Guard
cutters and a Royal Canadian Navy ship sailing with a Coast Guard team aboard. The eastern Pacific is a
prime smuggling route for cocaine headed to Mexico, where it is typically brought into the U.S.
Numerous suspected smugglers are being prosecuted by U.S. attorneys in California, along the East Coast
and elsewhere as a result of the operations.
May 26
Task Force members,
HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
WE HONOR THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR OUR FREEDOM
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #55 will be a conference call on Thursday, 15 June
2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Navy Region Southeast Brief – On Monday, 22 May 2017, staff traveled to NAS
Jacksonville and briefed the new Commander of Navy Region Southeast, RDML Babette
Bolivar (Bio attached) and several of her key staff on the role of the FDSTF and the FDA
in supporting Florida’s military installations, missions and personnel.
4. Presidential Budget Released on Tuesday – President Trump released his FY18 budget
request to Congress on Tuesday, 23 May 2017. The request includes $639 billion for the
Department of Defense, reversing the defense sequester and filling critical gaps in
warfighting readiness. Specifically, the budget calls for a 2.1% military pay raise, slight
increases in personnel end strength for all services except the Army and a 25% increase
in military construction funds. The budget includes a reduction in spending for multiple
other federal agencies spurring new controversy. As part of the request, the White House
proposed a sixth round of base realignment and closure (BRAC) to be conducted in
2021. According to the Office of Management & Budget (OMB), the round would save
the federal government at least $2 billion annually starting in FY 2026. See several
articles below in the clips under “BRAC” and “DoD Budget” as well as the list of
proposed Florida MILCON projects (attached).
5. Memorial Day Resolution – Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet
presented the 2017 Memorial Day Resolution during the May 23 Cabinet Meeting (see
attached). The resolution was accepted on behalf of Florida’s veterans by Glenn Sutphin,
executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The Governor and
Cabinet ask all Floridians to pause for one minute and observe the National Moment of
Remembrance to honor America’s fallen at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day which is
Monday, May 29, 2017.
6. Governor’s Base Commanders Meeting (BCM) – The Department of Military Affairs
released the executive summary from the BCM held last March (attached). Several base
commanders mentioned support received from the FDSTF. In addition, they announced
the next BCM will be on August 9, 2017 at Homestead ARB, FL. Bruce Grant and Terry
McCaffrey will attend to represent FDA and the Task Force.
7. Florida Supports F-35 for FLANG – On May 25th the Florida Congressional
Delegation, spearheaded by Congressman John Rutherford's office and signed by every
member of the Florida delegation, sent a letter (attached) in support of the Florida Air
National Guard being selected for F-35 at Jacksonville IAP. The letter highlighted the
critical location and mission of the 125th Fighter Wing and indicated that Jacksonville is
best suited to take on the new aircraft now. In addition, the City Council also signed a
new F35 support proclamation that they will present at the Wing today.
8. Attachments:
 RDML Bulivar Bio
 FY18 Florida MILCON Request
 Florida Resolution for Memorial Day 2017
 Mar 2017 Base Commanders Meeting EXSUM
 F-35 Support Letter to SECAF
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
Gulf Ranges / Oil Drilling
Think Tank: Jobs could be lost if drilling is allowed in
Gulf of Mexico
by Christopher Saul, 23 May 2017
http://weartv.com/news/local/think-tank-jobs-could-be-lost-if-drilling-is-allowed-in-gulf-of-mexico
A moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico ends in less than five years, but
members of two industries in Okaloosa County say allowing the moratorium to end could have disastrous
consequences for the local economy, including the loss of more than 220,000 jobs in northwest Florida
alone.
Experts with the defense industry alone think drilling offshore could wipe out northwest Florida's defense
industry and cost Okaloosa County billions of dollars.
Small birds and bigger ones, like the F-35 call the Gulf Coast home.
Just offshore, the Gulf Range, where airmen based at Eglin test the latest and greatest warfighting
devices. It's also the catalyst for high-paying, high-tech jobs.
In 2022, a moratorium on oil drilling expires and it has defense industry experts worried about jobs in
Okaloosa County…..
BRAC
White House Proposes 2021 BRAC Round, End to
Sequestration
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 23 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252805?e=28cebe069c
In its rollout this morning of the fiscal year 2018 budget proposal, the White House proposed a sixth
round of base realignment and closure to be conducted in 2021. According to the Office of Management
& Budget (OMB), the round would save the federal government at least $2 billion annually starting in FY
2026.
Also noted in the budget rollout was a statement calling for the end of sequestration and introduction of
new reforms. “The Budget includes $639 billion for the Department of Defense, reversing the defense
sequester and filling critical gaps in our warfighting readiness. These resources provide for the military
forces needed to conduct ongoing operations, deter potential adversaries, and protect the security of the
United States. At the same time, the Budget lays the groundwork for an ambitious defense reform agenda
to reduce the costs of military programs wherever feasible without reducing effectiveness or efficiency,”
according to an OMB fact sheet.
ADC will report further budget details as they are made available.
NEW ADMINISTRATION PICKS UP BRAC
TORCH
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 24 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252813?e=28cebe069c
With a growing number of lawmakers, particularly Senate Armed Services Committee Chair John
McCain (R-Ariz.), recently acknowledging there may be a case for conducting a new round of base
closures, the question as to whether the Trump administration would request BRAC authority in its first
budget proposal — and commit to it — still remained. The first part of that question has been answered
after the fiscal 2018 budget plan DOD unveiled Tuesday included a request for congressional authority to
hold a BRAC round in 2021.
“In order to get a round done in 2021, you have to begin analysis and the process now,” John Roth, the
department’s acting comptroller and chief financial officer, told reporters. The past five rounds of BRAC
are saving DOD about $12 billion annually, he said; officials believe a new round would save $2 billion a
year, based on a recent analysis concluding 20 percent of the military infrastructure is unneeded.
“All we’re asking for at this stage is the authority; we can’t even do the detailed analysis under current
law,” Roth noted.
The Pentagon unsuccessfully pursued BRAC authority each of the past five years under the Obama
administration. Is there any reason to believe the Trump administration will overcome congressional
resistance? For his part, Roth sounded a note of optimism: “We think we’re getting some signals from at
least a couple of committees that they are more amenable to it. So we will be pushing that pretty hard.”
But the question still remains whether Secretary Jim Mattis will be pushing BRAC hard.
Trump budget calls for military base closures
BY REBECCA KHEEL - 05/23/17 02:03 PM EDT 81
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/334767-trump-budget-calls-for-military-base-closures
President Trump’s budget proposed Tuesday calls for a new round of military base closures in 2021, a
plan likely to add to the numerous objections to the budget coming from Congress.
The budget as a whole is facing fierce opposition ranging from defense hawks who want higher Pentagon
spending to Democrats lambasting steep cuts in domestic spending.
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) has in the past drawn fierce opposition from lawmakers worried
about the economic effects of the closures on their communities.
Pentagon leaders have for years requested a new round of BRAC as a way to save money, but Congress
has repeatedly prohibited it in defense policy and spending bills.
In the budget documents released Tuesday, the administration says the Department of Defense (DOD) has
about 20 percent excess infrastructure capacity across all military branches. It estimates a BRAC round
could save $2 billion or more by 2027 and argues the process is the “best way to eliminate” the excess
capacity…..
The Trump administration wants a new round of
military base closures. Easier said than done.
By Dan Lamothe, May 23 at 6:00 PM
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/05/23/the-trump-administration-wants-a-new-round-ofmilitary-base-closures-easier-said-than-done/?utm_term=.0aa78b2566a9
The Trump administration in its 2018 Defense Department budget proposal on Tuesday called for a new
round of base realignment and closures, echoing a request that the Obama administration and senior
military officers have made for years despite lawmakers repeatedly blocking it.
Initiating a new round of base realignment and closure, often known as BRAC, could save the military $2
billion per year, the administration said in budget documents as it pitched the idea anew. If it’s launched
in 2018, BRAC could occur in 2021, the administration said.
Andrew Roth, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller, said in a news conference Tuesday that the Pentagon
collectively saves about $12 billion per year as a result of previous rounds of BRAC, which were carried
out in 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 2005. The Defense Department now has about 20 percent more
facilities than it needs, and the money needed to keep them open could be spent on military readiness,
Roth said.
But base realignment has long been easier to propose than to execute. Lawmakers who have opposed
additional rounds of BRAC have typically cited the negative economic impact it has on surrounding
towns and cities as well as the upfront cost that goes with moving and building facilities that are needed.
The 2005 round closed 24 bases, reorganized about a dozen others and cut thousands of civilian jobs. But
a Government Accountability Office investigation found that it cost $35.1 billion to complete, about 67
percent more than the $21 billion initially estimated. That cut the amount the Pentagon will save over the
first 20 years to about $10 billion…..
BRAC: The good, the bad & the ugly impacts NWFL
could face
by Christopher Saul, 5/24/2017
http://weartv.com/news/local/brac-could-impact-northwest-florida-economy
President Donald Trump has released a budget for Congress' consideration. One of his goals is to increase
military pay and issue another round of Base Closure and Realignment.
Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, can strike fear into the hearts of northwest Florida businesses,
but it can also be a boost for the local economy. It just depends on who wins and who loses.
Daniel Soto opened up this Cuban-inspired café in Bluewater Bay in the last year. Take a quick glance
around the building, it doesn't take long to notice someone in fatigues.
"Oh, it easily accumulates to at least half of the foot traffic that comes through our front door," Soto said
about military personnel.
The lifeblood of his business flows through Eglin Air Force Base; it's why BRAC makes him nervous…..
"I don't have a corporate office and corporate finances backing me. It's the little bit of money we scraped
together to open this place that's keeping it alive, that's putting food on our table and keeping my kids in
school. Take away half of that it becomes real hard," Soto said.
That's good news for local restaurants. Okaloosa County has traditionally won when military missions get
moved.
Shalimar Mayor Gary Combs, an Air Force vet, has watched BRACs over the last two decades.
"I don't have a crystal ball and I don't know what the president is thinking, or Congress, but I would think
Eglin is going to be here for a while and Hurlburt and Duke and all of the other things around it," Combs
said.
Economist David Goetsch said it has everything to do with how prepared the state is.
"It takes five, six or 10 years to prepare for a BRAC and Florida has been doing that," Dr. Goetsch said.
However, it doesn't mean bases aren't valuable. Down Interstate 10 from Okaloosa County Navy chopper
pilots train at Whiting Field; something that could change in the next round of BRAC.
"They have been after Whiting Field for a long time," Dr. Goetsch said. "And those of us who work the
BRACs in the state of Florida have been fighting that for a long time; but Jeff Sessions is from Alabama
and that makes things tough."
If the base were too close, more than a billion dollars would leave Santa Rosa County, according
to Enterprise Florida.
Defense Department documents say this planned BRAC could save the taxpayer about $2 billion every
year by 2027.
Hurlburt Field
FLANG Det 2 is making its mark
By Staff Sgt. Jeff Parkinson, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published May 19, 2017
http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1188160/flang-det-2-is-making-its-mark/
HURLBURT FIELFD, Fla. -- Florida Air National Guard Detachment 2 has been at Hurlburt since
December 2015 and are only a few Airmen away from fulfilling all of their full-time positions.
The FLANG Det 2 employs officers and enlisted personnel in maintenance and aircrew positions to aid
the 8th Special Operations Squadron and the 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to
create a foundation and to form continuity within the CV-22 Osprey Community.
“We’re currently hiring those who have experience in the CV-22 community,” said Senior Master Sgt.
Shawn Martell, maintenance superintendent with the FLANG Det 2. “Bringing in people who have that
experience helps keep consistency and saves the Air Force money on retraining.”
Det 2 members are a foundation for the CV-22 units here. Since they don’t permanent change of station,
they create a continuity and consistency of experience, said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Adams, a CV-22 crew
chief with the FLANG Det 2.
When transitioning from active duty to guard, the military status changes, but the mission does not…..
NS Mayport
Air Force tops Navy in four sets to win women’s
volleyball title
Published: 01:43PM May 25th, 2017
http://www.nwguardian.com/2017/05/25/27616/air-force-tops-navy-in-four-sets.html
NAVAL BASE MAYPORT, Fla. — After losing the opening match against host Navy, the Air Force
team was victorious in the next five to capture gold in the 2017 Armed Forces Women’s Volleyball
Championship at Naval Base Mayport, Fla., that took place from May 17 to Sunday.
Splitting the competition in the triple-round robin tournament, Air Force and Navy faced each other for
the gold after Navy’s hard-fought comeback against Army in the previous match.
Air Force topped Navy winning three sets to one and finished Army off in the final match of the
tournament.
Navy finished with a 3-3 record to win silver and Army finished 1-5.
Immediately following the last match, service representatives and coaches assembled for the selection of
the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Volleyball team that will compete against four other nations at the
Conseil International du Sport Militaire World Women’s Military Volleyball Championship, also hosted
at Naval Base Mayport from June 2 to 11…..
US Central Command
SOSi Wins $17M Contract for USCENTCOM
Support
BY DIETRICH KNAUTH ON MAY 24, 2017
HTTPS://WWW.WASHINGTONEXEC.COM/2017/05/SOSI-WINS-17M-CONTRACT-FOR-USCENTCOMSUPPORT/#.WSBR1VNYVIU
SOS International LLC said Monday it had been awarded a 5-year, $17 million contract to provide
facilities management and maintenance support services to U.S. Central Command bases in Qatar and
Florida.
SOSi will provide long-range logistics and asset management, lodging management and billeting,
facilities maintenance and repair services, engineering services and project management, emergency
response planning and facilities help desk support, according to the announcement.
“SOSi has been steadily expanding its footprint in the overseas operations and maintenance market,” said
Julian Setian, SOSi president and CEO. “We look forward to supporting CENTCOM’s critical operations
throughout the Middle East.”
The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration, and work will be performed at Al
Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and MacDill Air Force Base, Florida…..
Team Orlando
UCF approves money to buy building for military
cluster
Marco Santana, Contact Reporter, Orlando Sentinel, May 19, 2017
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/technology/os-bz-partnership-military-closures-20170519-story.html
An effort to shield Central Florida’s military cluster from potential federal base closures took a step
forward Thursday.
University of Central Florida’s board of trustees approved spending $19.1 million of state-appropriated
funds to buy a second building at its Research Park.
Officials have said owning the buildings, rather than leasing, would make the locations less likely to face
the axe during the next round of Base Realignment and Closures, known as BRAC.
During a span of three years, the state set aside $42 million to relocate 200,000 square feet of leased space
at the research park.
That move started last year, when the state closed on an 84,000-square-foot building. When that
happened, officials said they were still on the hunt for two more buildings.
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Baptiste has said the next round of BRAC, a periodic reassessment
of the size and scope of military-owned facilities, could come in 2019.
Baptiste believes that any military locations that pay rent to commercial building owners will be first on
the chopping block.
The state must still approve Thursday’s deal and officials will undergo a 90-day due diligence period on
the property…..
Avon Park
Fire near central Florida military base torches 8,000
acres
By Ed Adamczyk | May 19, 2017 at 12:05 PM
http://www.upi.com/Fire-near-central-Florida-military-base-torches-8000-acres/7681495207384/
May 19 (UPI) – Florida crews are working a brush fire that's so far burned more than 8,000 acres, a
military spokesman said Friday.
Military units conducting training exercises sparked the blaze on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for
the Avon Park Air Range said. He suggested that a rocket, missile or some other incendiary device may
have started it.
Thousands of acres on the border between Highlands and Polk County have burned so far, officials said.
The Florida Fire Service estimated the blaze's size Friday at 8,000 acres.
Crews are using a backfiring tactic to control the flames, which involves setting fire to nearby unburned
vegetation so the blaze has no resources to grow, WFLA-TV, Tampa, reported. Bulldozers, a common
piece of firefighting equipment, are not being used because of possible unexploded ordnance on the base.
Officials said the controlled burn has contained the flames on three sides. So far, no serious injuries or
evacuations were reported…..
State Preserves More Than 5,000 Acres of
Environmentally Sensitive Ranch Lands
Adam Putnam Press Release, May 23, 2017
http://www.freshfromflorida.com/News-Events/Press-Releases/2017-Press-Releases/State-Preserves-More-Than-5000-Acres-of-Environmentally-Sensitive-Ranch-Lands
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Governor and Cabinet today approved the preservation of 5,211 acres of
environmentally sensitive ranch lands in Okeechobee and Highlands counties through cost-effective
conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to
continue to contribute to Florida's economy. The purchases are a part of the Rural and Family Lands
Protection Program, where the state partners with Florida's farmers and ranchers to preserve active
agricultural operations and their immense economic and environmental benefits.
“With more than 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, we must continue to prioritize the
preservation of our world-renowned natural spaces,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
“Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, we're partnering with farmers and ranchers to
preserve these invaluable pieces of our rural economy and environment for future generations in a costeffective way.”
One easement will preserve 4,177 acres of the Triple S Ranch in Okeechobee County, where more than
25 percent of the easement is considered unaltered wetlands consisting largely of interconnected cypress
domes. The second easement will preserve 1,034 acres of the S.Y. Hartt ranch in Highlands County. The
easement is one mile south of the Avon Park Air Force Range and borders the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission's Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area and the Lake Wales
Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program's Rafter T
Ranch conservation easement…..
US Southern Command
Maj Gen Bellon takes command of MARFORSOUTH
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, May 24, 2017
http://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/1191872/maj-gen-bellon-takes-command-ofmarforsouth/
May 24, 2017 — Maj. Gen. David G. Bellon assumed command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South
during a change of command ceremony in Doral, Florida, May 22.
Brig. Gen. Kevin M. Iiams relinquished command to Bellon during the ceremony after serving as the
commander of MARFORSOUTH since January 2016.
Bellon was previously the director of the Reserve Affairs Division. Iiams is set to be the commander of
U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command.
Iiams praised his Marines for the progress they’ve made the impact they have had on the region during his
command, telling them the effects of their work would last long after they had all left the command.
“We’ve planted the seeds for trees we’ll never see,” Iiams told Marines.
For his part, Bellon said he was looking forward to commanding the Marines of MARFORSOUTH and
working with their partners in the region. He pointed to the various times he had traveled or worked in
South and Central America, explaining that his family felt a special connection to the countries they had
been to during his time as a Marine.
“This is a region that our family loves,” said Bellon. “And we love it because there are so many layers to
the different cultures that we find in the region. And what we’ve found is a common set of values that
resonate with our family.”
Defense Industry
ULA subsidiary lands $208M contract for rocket work
on Space Coast
Matthew Richardson, Staff writer, Orlando Business Journal, May 22, 2017, 11:31am EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/05/22/ula-subsidiary-lands-208m-contract-for-rocket-work.html
United Launch Services, a subsidiary of Centennial, Colo.-based joint-venture rocket firm United Launch
Alliance, won a $208 million U.S. Air Force contract on May 22 to configure its Atlas V rocket.
The contract, under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, involves United Launch Services
providing launch vehicle configuration of an Atlas V 551 with an additional solid rocket booster.
Work will be performed in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Centennial, Colo., and Decatur, Ala. The
contract has a Sept. 30, 2019, completion date.
United Launch Alliance LLC is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Corp.(NYSE: LMT) and The
Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA). The firm tends to launch its rockets often from Cape Canaveral, as its lands
plenty of satellite contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Military contracts contribute to the local economy in the form of jobs and subcontractor opportunities,
and Central Florida is a major player when it comes to defense contracts......
Small business, small drone - $100 billion defense market
opportunity
By Allison Barrie Published May 20, 2017 Small Business FOXBusiness
http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/05/20/small-business-small-drone-100-billion-defense-marketopportunity.html
The annual four-day Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) - a collaboration between
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the National Defense Industry Association – gives
companies large and small the chance to get their innovations in front of US Special Operations.
Held this week in Florida, more than 400 companies from around the states, and the world, showed up to
showcase their advances and compete for some of those billions that SOCOM spends each year. Nearly
1000 booths were jam-packed with options for SOF teams looking for new tech advantages they can use
against adversaries.
Growing Demand in Defense for Drones
Drones were heavily showcased throughout the exhibition, reflecting the fact that demand continues to be
high in defense. Between now and 2020, Goldman Sachs (GS) has forecasted a $100 billion market
opportunity for drones……
Lockheed Martin lands $137.8M F-35 contract with
work in Orlando
Matthew Richardson, Staff writer, Orlando Business Journal, May 22, 2017, 3:23pm EDT
http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/05/22/lockheed-martin-lands-137-8m-f-35-contract-with.html
Global defense firm Lockheed Martin won a $137.8 million military contract on May 22 to support the
production of the F-35 Lightening II aircraft.
The Bethesda, Md.-based firm (NYSE: LMT) landed the U.S. Navy contract for Lot 9 order of the F-35
Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter. While most of the work will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, some also
will take place in Orlando and other parts of the country. Missiles & Fire Control in west Orlando handles
the development of the F-35's Electro-Optical Targeting System, which supports 1,300 local jobs.
Lockheed Martin's F-35 program often snatches up big contracts, and more are expected to
come. Lockheed Martin won a $1.3 billion contract on April 28 that serves as the foundation for various
aircraft orders from the U.S. Department of Defense. The Lot 9 orders joins other F-35 orders like Lot 12,
13, and 14. Work for those contracts is described as low-rate production for more than 200 aircraft.
The increased production demand may lead to Lockheed Martin hiring more workers later this year, too.
"When we get to full-rate production, we'll probably be delivering roughly 200 aircraft a year," Marillyn
Hewson, CEO of Lockheed Martin, said during an earnings report in May.
DoD Budget
Trump’s Promised Big Boost To DoD Evaporates In
2018 Budget
By MARK CANCIAN, on May 22, 2017 at 6:35 PM
http://breakingdefense.com/2017/05/trumps-promised-big-boost-to-dod-evaporates-in-2018-budget/
Campaign promises of a larger, more ready and fully modernized military have slammed into budget
realities as the Trump administration’s fiscal 2018 budget for the Pentagon shows only modest growth
above what the Obama administration had projected.
Funding at those levels will support a 305-ship Navy, not the 350 ships that candidate Trump proposed
back in September; an Army of 476,000, not the 540,000 proposed, and an Air Force forced to choose
between modernization and size. To be fair, the Trump administration said that this was not a “policy”
budget projection but could be reconsidered in light of the strategy review now going on. However, the
facts on the ground are set, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will be hard-pressed to change them.
The Trump administration projection for the defense budget takes the fiscal 2018 level and simply pushes
it into the future, assuming it grows at the rate of inflation. Back in March, the administration described
the 2018 level as “an increase of $54 billion,” but that was using the Budget Control Act/“sequestration”
level as a baseline. It was only $18 billion above what DoD already expected to get, as budget analysts
pointed out at the time. This certainly is not the Reagan-esque budget increase that many had hoped for,
although there had been forebodings for many months that the actual increase might be limited.
About half of the proposed increase will be consumed by “must pay bills” such as pay raises and funds
for management savings like healthcare fees and reduced housing allowances that Congress did not enact.
There is just not much money left over to buy additional program……
COPING WITH A DISAPPOINTING DEFENSE
BUDGET
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 22 May 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252793?e=28cebe069c
Defense experts are describing President Trump’s $603 billion fiscal 2018 budget request, scheduled to
be released Tuesday, as the first step in a multi-year process to rebuild the military. The administration’s
plan, which falls short of the $640 billion target advanced by the heads of the House and Senate Armed
Services committees, won’t pay for a 355-ship Navy, growing the Army by 60,000 soldiers and adding at
least 100 combat planes to the Air Force, but it will lay the groundwork for future growth, reports
Defense News. The budget request likely won’t include topline projections for each of the next five years,
however, insiders note.
Even as defense hawks are disappointed the administration’s defense request isn’t higher, there is no clear
path to passing a $603 billion budget, which would exceed the statutory spending caps by $54 billion.
One possible compromise could be splitting the difference between Trump’s topline and the level the
Obama administration had projected for FY 2018, $584.5 billion.
“I don’t think there will be as much defense buildup in practice as the budget might lay out,” said
Katherine Blakeley, a defense budget expert with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.
“It’s just not there … and the politics are just collapsing more and more every day.”
Alternatively, the Armed Services Committees could push for higher spending by including extra funds in
DOD’s overseas contingency operations account, an approach that would rely on gaining some support
from Democrats.
TRUMP BUDGET ENVISIONS HALF-BILLION
DEFENSE SPENDING BUMP OVER NEXT
DECADE
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 5/23/2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252797?e=28cebe069c
The Trump administration’s fiscal 2018 budget proposal fully manifests the president’s campaign
pledge to rebuild the military by calling for defense spending to rise by $489 billion above projected
levels over the next decade, according to White House budget documents released Monday. The
president’s request, scheduled to be formally unveiled today, envisions annual increases in defense
spending ranging from $40 billion to $54 billion, reported CQ Roll Call. The base defense budget
would jump from $603 billion in FY 2018 to $727 billion in FY 2027.
The massive investment in the military would come at the expense of domestic programs and require
lawmakers to lift the statutory budget caps on defense that run through FY 2021, but with Democrats
and many Republicans opposed to deep cuts in domestic programs, it’s virtually impossible for the
president’s proposal to become law. The plan would slash $1.56 trillion from nondefense discretionary
spending over 10 years.
The White House’s long-term spending plan to rebuild the military comes against the backdrop of an
FY 2018 request that has elicited criticism from defense hawks on Capitol Hill for failing to fully meet
the Pentagon’s needs. Analysts have pointed out that the administration’s $603 billion request, while
$54 billion above the budget cap, only exceeds the Obama administration’s planned spending for next
year by $18.5 billion.
MILCON REWARDED IN BUDGET REQUEST
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 5/24/2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252813?e=28cebe069c
Military construction spending across DOD would jump 25 percent under the department’s fiscal 2018
budget request, rising from $7.8 billion in the current year to $9.8 billion next year. “We’re pretty
pleased with our situation with facilities investment,” Acting DOD Comptroller John Roth told
reporters, noting the department’s “anemic” budget requests for milcon in recent years.
Milcon funding for defense-wide facilities would benefit the most under the proposal, rising from $2.0
billion in FY 2017 to $3.3 billion, according to DOD’s budget overview. The milcon budgets for the
Army and Navy each would increase by about $300 million under the FY 2018 request, with the Air
Force budget edging up only $29 million.
BUDGET CALLS FOR SLIGHT BOOST IN END
STRENGTH
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 5/24/2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252813?e=28cebe069c
The number of active-duty personnel would increase by 6,000 to 1,314,000 under the fiscal 2018
budget request released Tuesday. Under the proposal, the Army’s end strength would remain at
476,000, the Navy would rise by 1,408 to 327,000, the Marine Corps would edge up 574 to 185,000
and the Air Force would grow by 3,975 to 325,100. Reserve forces would increase by 2,085 to a total
of 815,900, reported Stars and Stripes.
The proposed increase in Air Force personnel is needed to fill critical gaps in pilot production and
maintainer career fields, according to officials. The Navy’s request separately calls for an increase in
civilian shipyard workers to improve throughput timelines to meet future deployments.
DoD Releases Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposal
Press Operations, Release No: NR-192-17, May 23, 2017
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1190216/dod-releases-fiscal-year2018-budget-proposal/
Today President Donald J. Trump sent Congress a proposed budget request of $639.1 billion, $574.5
billion in the base budget and $64.6 billion in the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) budget.
This budget request is $52 billion above the defense budget cap in the Budget and Control Act (BCA)
of 2011.
This funding is required to continue to rebuild warfighting readiness and will restore program balance
by fixing the holes created by previous budget cuts. Since enactment of the BCA, the world has
become more dangerous. Over this period, the military has become smaller and training, maintenance,
and modernization have been deferred, resulting in degraded warfighting readiness. This budget
request reverses that degradation and starts restoring the readiness of our armed forces to meet the
challenges of today and the future. To do so, it is essential that the defense sequestration caps be
reversed. As Secretary Mattis recently told members of Congress, the BCA and sequestration have
“done more damage to our readiness than the enemies in the field.”
The funding in the OCO budget provides resources in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS)
in Afghanistan, Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in Iraq and Syria and other global counterterrorism
operations. In addition, the funds enhance U.S. assurance and deterrence in Eastern Europe through
the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI).
The FY 2018 budget request is the second step in a three-step process to rebuild the Armed Forces.
The first step was the FY 2017 Appropriations Act. That money is for immediate warfighting
readiness shortfalls and funds the increased operating tempo in the fight against the Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This request builds on those resources and focuses on restoring a balanced
defense program……
Amid $52 billion plus-up, DoD looks to trim spending on
service contracts, health care
By Jared Serbu | @jserbuWFEDMay 24, 2017 4:47 am7 min read
https://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2017/05/amid-52-billion-plus-up-dod-looks-to-trim-spending-on-servicecontracts-health-care/
As expected, the final 2018 Defense budget the Trump administration submitted to Congress Tuesday
calls for $640 billion in military spending, $52 billion more than the current year and breaking the current
budget caps by the same amount.
But even amid a healthy plus-up in the top-line amount, the Pentagon says it’s found some modest ways
to produce “efficiency” savings in 2018. Officials billed the budget as a fulfillment of two
commitments Defense Secretary James Mattis made when he took office in January: rebuilding the
military’s readiness and reforming its business operations.
“There are a number of ongoing activities that we continue to pursue,” said John Roth, the career senior
executive who’s currently performing the duties of DoD comptroller. “We’re continuing to look at the
major headquarters and to reduce them by 25 percent. We continue with acquisition reform, particularly
with Better Buying Power 3.0. We continue to take a hard look at our service support contracts and make
sure that they’re appropriate.”
The department said the largest chunk of the savings — $1.2 billion — will come from changes to
business processes in the headquarters of the military services and the Office of the Secretary of
Defense….
GOP LAWMAKER OFFERS PLAN TO AVOID A
CR FOR FY'18
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, 5/26/2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252821?e=28cebe069c
The House GOP is looking at the possibility of putting together an omnibus appropriations bill over the
next two months and saving the time typically spent bringing individual spending measures to the
floor. The approach would help the chamber make up for the months already lost wrapping up fiscal
2017 appropriations as well as allow Republican lawmakers to spend their August recess touting
legislation that embodies conservative principles, reports CQ Roll Call.
“We would pass it before August, and that’s what we would go home to — to talk about and to
position our leadership to negotiate in the fall, when we’re going to have to do it anyway,” Rep. Tom
Cole (R-Okla.) said of the plan offered by fellow appropriator Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.).
Members of the House Republican conference were receptive to the plan after learning about it
Thursday, according to Graves. But while it seemingly provides a possible way to escape lawmakers’
reliance on continuing resolutions (CRs) to keep the government running, it really wouldn’t cut
Democrats out of the process of negotiating spending bills. Without the input of Senate Democrats, an
appropriations bill has no chance of advancing in that chamber.
But Graves believes the approach offers a fresh path to tackle appropriations. “It’s certainly a paradigm
shift, no question about that,” he said.
Other Of Interest
No wonder military veterans flock to Florida
BY BROOKE HENDERSON, MAY 22, 2017
HTTP://WWW.MIAMIHERALD.COM/NEWS/STATE/FLORIDA/ARTICLE151963102.HTML
Florida reigns as a paradise for snowbirds. Beachside motels lure Canadians and spring-breakers.
And according to personal-finance site WalletHub, Florida also is the best state for military retirees.
WalletHub’s analysis compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia using 22 key indicators of
retirement-friendliness toward veterans. From job opportunities to housing affordability to quality of VA
hospitals, the data use common challenges faced by veterans to determine the best states.
WalletHub used three main categories: economic environment, quality of life and healthcare.
Florida is home to the third-largest veteran population in the nation and is the top state for a veteran
getting hired and for state tax on military pensions. Military retired pay and survivor benefit plans are tax
exempt in Florida.
This year, WalletHub included two more metrics: the share of population 40 and older and the presence of
veteran-treatment courts for to the findings, more than half of the state’s veteran population is over the
age of 40…..
Study: Guess which state is No. 1 for military retirees
By JENNIE McKEON, Posted May 23, 2017 at 12:01 AM, Updated May 23, 2017 at 9:22 AM
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170523/study-guess-which-state-is-no-1-for-military-retirees
Florida is an attractive place to visit and stay — this is especially true for retired servicemen and women.
According to a study from the personal finance website, WalletHub, Florida is No. 1 in the U.S. as the
best state for military retirees.
The study graded all 50 states on a number of criteria including most veterans per capita, the number of
Veterans Affairs services, job opportunities, cost of housing and number of veteran-owned businesses.
The overall ranking was determined by calculating the weighted average across all metrics.
Top 10 States for Military Retirees
To see the complete list, visit wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-military-retirees/3915
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Florida
Montana
New Hampshire
Wyoming
South Carolina
Alaska
Maine
Texas
Arizona
Virginia
Florida ranked high in terms of population aged 40 and over, the amount of VA facilities and benefitadministration facilities. The state ranked about average in terms of veterans per capita, veteran job
opportunities and cost of living. The overall score was 63.7 out of 100 possible points. The following
states were Montana with 62 and New Hampshire with 59.8.
According to Veterans Florida, 1.5 million veterans call Florida home. The nonprofit organization helps
to advise state lawmakers to make Florida attractive to young and older military retirees.
Senate confirms three appointees to Pentagon
By: Aaron Mehta and Joe Gould, May 25, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/senate-confirms-three-appointees-topentagon?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DN%20DNR%205/25/17&utm_term=Editor
ial%20-%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
WASHINGTON – The Senate today voted to confirm three appointees for the Pentagon.
By unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed David Norquist to be comptroller, Robert Story Karem as
assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs and Kari Bingen as principal deputy under
secretary of defense for intelligence.
The trio brings the total number of political appointees at DoD to five, including Secretary of Defense Jim
Mattis and Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson.
The three nominees also represent a trend of the Trump team choosing individuals from the Republican
establishment, rather than outsiders in line with the president’s “Drain the Swamp” motto. Norquist
served in the Bush administration and is the brother of noted Republican advocate Grover Norquist;
Bingen, who has served in several congressional staff positions, is currently the policy director for the
House Armed Services Committee. She previously worked as a top space policy analyst for the
Aerospace Corporation. Karem has worked as a Middle East adviser to then-Vice President Dick Cheney,
a legislative aide to now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and a national security adviser
to both Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy in the House.
Three more nominees – Elaine McCusker to be deputy comptroller, Robert Daigle, to be director of the
Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office and Kenneth Rapuano for assistant secretary of defense,
homeland defense and global security – still await a vote in the full Senate……
June 2
Task Force members,
Terry McCaffrey will be on leave all next week, so please contact Bruce Grant if you need
anything.
1. Next Meeting – Task Force meeting #55 will be a conference call on Thursday, 15 June
2017, beginning at 9:00AM.
2. Call In Number –
Call In Number: 800-501-8979
Access Code: 1869945
3. Governor Scott signs Budget and More – Governor Rick Scott held a press conference
today (June 2, 2017) with Senate President Negron and House Speaker Corcoran
announcing that the legislature will return to Tallahassee for a special session next week
from 7-9 June. They also announced that Governor Scott is proposing to establish the
new Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to promote public infrastructure and individual job
training. Governor Scott is calling on the Florida Legislature to fund the grant at $85
million. Additionally, he has asked them to readdress K-12 education funding and fund
Visit Florida at $65 million. See the Governor’s press release at this
link: http://www.flgov.com/2017/06/02/gov-scott-calls-special-session-to-fight-forstudents-jobs/
4. “Florida Defense Day” in Washington DC – The Florida Defense Day in Washington
DC that we discussed at the last Task Force meeting has changed a bit. The event is now
planned for June 27, 2017 from 1:00PM – 4:00PM with a reception at 5:00PM. Details
are still coming together, but the event will be leveraging the Florida Defense Contractor
Association’s (FDCA) Federal Affairs Workshop that will take place at the Washington
Capitol Hill Club on 26-27 June. Staff will continue to support detail development and
keep Task Force members informed.
5. Presidential Budget Request – Last week the Trump Administration released its budget
request to congress. The DoD request included a presentation (attached) outlining the
major efforts and funding by area. Additionally, the request included a MILCON
proposal. Florida’s breakdown includes $238M in MILCON projects (see attached list).
6. Task Force Support for Florida MILCON Projects -- The Task Force sent letters to
seven members of the Florida Congressional Delegation who will have a role in
approving Military Construction (MILCON) Projects for the FY-18 Federal budget in
either the MILCON Committee, the HASC/SASC or Appropriations Committees. The
letters when to Senators Nelson and Rubio, and Representatives Wasserman Schultz,
Gaetz, Rutherford, Rooney and Diaz Balart. A copy of the Wasserman Schultz letter and
the attachment for Navy FY18 unfunded projects attached. Similar letters were also sent
from the President of the Florida Defense Alliance, Ms. Kellie Jo Kilberg. We also
received the USAF Unfunded Priority List (attached) after the letters were sent.
7. REPI Newsletter – The REPI Newsletter (attached) was released and noted that “Florida
Seeks Funds to Match REPI Dollars. Florida Politics (floridapolitics.com) reports that
about $3 million in REPI Program funds could be lost if the State of Florida does not
provide matching funds by the end of 2018. REPI Program funds have invested over $19
million in the state since 2002 to protecting installations from incompatible development
that restricts or inhibits military missions. The Florida Defense Alliance is calling
attention to the potential loss in order to sustain the military mission in Florida and
"continue to gain and add to the economy." Under the REPI Program's authority, DoD
can fund cost sharing partnerships with states, local governments, or non-profits, but
cannot be a sole funding source.”
8. ADC National Summit Fast Approaching – ADC has provided more details about the
upcoming conference on 19-21 June in Washington DC. According to Dan Cohen, the
new SECAF Heather Wilson will be the opening speaker. See more information below
in “Clips” under “Other of Interest”.
9. Attachments:
 TPG Monthly Report
 Presidential Budget Request Brief
 FL MILCON Project List
 Wasserman Schultz MILCON Support Letter
 Navy FY-18 Unfunded Priorities
 USAF Unfunded Priorities
 REPI Newsletter
Terry
Terry McCaffrey
Executive Director
Florida Defense Support Task Force
PHONE
(850) 878-4578
CELL
(850) 266-1865
EMAIL
[email protected]
101 N. Monroe St.,
Suite 1000
Tallahassee, FL 32301
EnterpriseFlorida.com
News Clips of Interest:
BRAC
Inhofe: Trump's BRAC request 'a bad idea'
By: Joe Gould, May 28, 2017
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/inhofe-trumps-brac-request-a-bad-idea
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is seeking a new military base closing round in fiscal
2021 under its new federal budget proposal, but a key GOP lawmaker is shooting it down while a key
Democrat is supporting it.
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., dismissed the
proposal for a Base Realignment and Closure round upon learning of it from a reporter on Thursday. It’s
wrong to shutter facilities when the military is rebuilding as Trump has proposed, he said.
Inhofe is one of the key gatekeepers in Congress for a new BRAC round because of his committee's
jurisdiction, and his opposition is a bad sign for the proposal becoming reality. He has praised the
budget’s approach to debt reduction and its 30 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency, but
he said of the BRAC proposal: “I think it’s a bad idea."
“The first thing that’s a certainty about any BRACs is they cost money in the first three years,” he said.
“We’ve never been in a position where we have been so undermanned and undersized. The budget’s
inadequate, and this isn’t the time to obligate more funding.”…..
Trump wants to rebuild the military, but budget could
close bases
By Jeremy Herb, CNN, Updated 2:20 PM ET, Tue May 30, 2017
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/30/politics/trump-budget-close-bases-brac/
Washington (CNN) – President Donald Trump's vow to massively rebuild the US armed forces comes
with an interesting wrinkle in his first budget request: a call to close military bases.
Trump's Pentagon is asking for a new commission to study closing or revamping bases in its budget
request, as the Defense Department says it has upwards of 20% excess infrastructure capacity and
slimming down would save money.
But the request to close bases, which would not occur until 2021, is an uphill climb on Capitol Hill.
Republicans are already unhappy that Trump did not propose a bigger military budget after his pledge to
massively add ships, planes and troops. GOP lawmakers say going through another round of the Base
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process is another step in the wrong direction when the military has
been constrained for years by the so-called "sequestration" budget caps.
"The last thing the military needs right now is a BRAC," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina
Republican. "But if you can't raise sequestration numbers then you're going to have to do a BRAC."
BRAC was created so the decision of which bases to close is taken out of Congress' hands. The
commission gives Congress an all-or-nothing proposal to approve…..
Eglin AFB
Eglin fire best in DoD
By Samuel King Jr., Team Eglin Public Affairs / Published May 30, 2017
http://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1196575/eglin-fire-best-in-dod/
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – After picking up some impressive hardware in March as the Air
Force’s Fire Prevention Program of the Year, Eglin’s Fire and Emergency Services continued its winning
ways in May. This time, besting ALL military fire prevention programs, earning the DoDs top honor.
"This award is the result of years of hard work, persistent training and a commitment to excellence," said
Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano, 96th Test Wing commander. "It reflects the dedication and
professionalism of the men and women who provide these difficult services to the DoD’s largest
installation. To recognize them as the ‘Best of the Best’ is well deserved.”
Among the many accomplishments, the fire department completed more than 1,000 inspections on over
3,000 structures, 89 aircraft and 72,000 personnel.
They drove the remote airfield water system upgrade adding 15 hydrants and improving water flow to 99
facilities, the remote taxiway and regional airport.
Unit personnel taught 85 fire safety courses and developed a Hazard ID lab for elementary school
children.
The fire department accomplished much more within the community as well as innovation all the while
executing their primary duty of base protection. The unit responded to 960 calls for help, 172 mutual
aids, 59 auto crashes and five lives saved…..
Eglin welcomes new test wing commander
By Kristin Stewart, Team Eglin Public Affairs / Published June 01, 2017
http://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1199114/eglin-welcomes-new-test-wing-commander/
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 96th Test Wing welcomed its new commander May 31 during
a change of command ceremony here.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano passed the guidon to the wing’s new leader Brig. Gen. Evan Dertien. The
wing bid farewell to Azzano, who moves to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, to take command of the Air,
Space and Cyberspace Operations Directorate.
A command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours and 180 combat hours, Dertien is familiar with Air
Force Materiel Command and the test mission. Previously, he was the 40th Flight Test Squadron
commander in 2008 and an F-16/F-15 test pilot in 2002. Prior to arriving here, he served as the vice
commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB.
Maj. Gen. David Harris, Air Force Test Center commander, welcomed Dertein and his family.
“We are very lucky to have him back,” said Harris, the first 96 TW commander here from 2012 to 2015.
“He is a tester through and through and knows the mission here at Eglin very well.”
Harris spoke about the privilege of being in command and the tremendous responsibility.
“It demands absolute professional competence, tenacious leadership, selfless sacrifice and a willingness to
put the needs of the mission and your people above all else,” said Harris. “We have the right officer for
the job. Dertein is just what we need to carry on the critical mission of the 96 TW.”
Harris thanked Azzano for his leadership and presented him with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally
meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
Azzano spoke fondly of the talented, patriotic Airmen assigned to Eglin, the supportive community and
the friendships him and his spouse, Jennifer, developed here…..
NAS Jacksonville
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Visits NAS
Jacksonville
By Kaylee LaRocque, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs, Release Date: 5/31/2017 12:56:00 PM
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=100778
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) – Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Bill Moran visited
Naval Air Station Jacksonville May 30 to get a firsthand look at the new MQ-4C Triton Mission Control
Center and meet Sailors and civilians during several all-hands calls.
During his first all hands call, the admiral greeted maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircrew and
instructors with praise for their achievements in executing their missions.
He also discussed an increasingly competitive security environment, but highlighted where our Navy still
maintains its edge.
"We continue to work on technology, but we are far ahead of our adversaries when it comes to people,"
said Moran. "That is the one big advantage we have over everyone else. Our people are experienced,
professional, able, smart and well-led. If you look back on the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway on
their 75th Anniversary, we were pretty lucky in both those battles because of our people taking risks. On
Memorial Day, we remembered Americans who lost their lives fighting for our country. It's a dangerous
business. We have to be deadly serious and continue to be competitive. If you look back at history as the
world seemed relatively normal at peace, and then suddenly explodes with something bigger, well that's
something we have to be ready for."
Other issues Moran touched on included the defense budget, squadron collateral duties, manpower,
training, new platforms, sea duty ratings and the new retirement system as they pertain to mission
readiness.
The admiral stressed the importance of being more proficient warfighters……
DoD Budget
Defense hawks gird for budget brawl
BY REBECCA KHEEL - 05/28/17 05:51 PM EDT
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/335352-defense-hawks-gird-for-budget-brawl
Defense hawks are hunkering down for a fight to get all $640 billion they say is necessary to rebuild the
military after President Trump’s budget proposal fell short of their expectations.
Budget experts predict a battle in the coming months between the administration, appropriators, party
leadership and congressional committees that may fall short of delivering even the $603 billion Trump
has proposed.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), the chairmen of the Senate and House
Armed Services committees, have the power to push a $640 billion defense policy bill regardless of how
the budget shakes out.
“It’s going to be a heavy lift to even get close to Trump’s proposal,” said Todd Harrison, director of
defense budget analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). “With that said, the
authorizers can go off and mark to something that’s completely different.”
Trump’s $603 billion base defense budget leaves out much of what was on defense hawks’ wish lists, as
well as items Trump himself promised throughout his 2016 White House campaign……
Other Of Interest
NOAA Hurricane Hunters Have New Home In
Lakeland
By STEPHANIE COLOMBINI, 5/30/2017
http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/noaa-hurricane-hunters-have-new-home-lakeland#stream/0
After more than two decades, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Hunter
planes have a new home. Construction crews are scrambling to get it ready for this week's start of
hurricane season.
The blaring sounds of power tools echo across the 100,000 square foot Aircraft Operations Center at
Lakeland Linder Airport, and there's that distinct smell of wet paint in the air.
Dozens of construction workers are frantically trying to finish what is essentially a brand new building,
one they have only had about six months to complete. Walls are still missing in some areas and floors
are still sticky with glue.
“If it seems a little chaotic, it's because it’s a little chaotic," said Captain Michael Silah, NOAA’s
Commanding Officer of Aircraft Operations.
He has been in charge of the move ever since MacDill Air Force Base announced last year that it no
longer had space - after hosting the program for two decades. The move to Lakeland Linder is estimated
to cost $17.5 million, and Silah says the project is moving at an unusually fast speed for government…..
AIR FORCE SECRETARY HEATHER WILSON TO
OPEN DEFENSE COMMUNITIES NATIONAL
SUMMIT
Dan Cohen, “On Base”, June 2, 2017
http://mailchi.mp/defensecommunities/president-softens-stance-on-border-wall-funding-252829?e=28cebe069c
Heather Wilson, sworn in last month as the 24th secretary of the Air Force, will address the 2017 Defense
Communities National Summit during the opening general session on June 19. Wilson is the only service
secretary to take office in the Trump administration. She represented New Mexico in the House of
Representatives, where she served on the House Armed Services Committee, from 1998 to 2009. Wilson
served in the Air Force from 1982 to 1989, after graduating from the Air Force Academy. In her most
recent position, Wilson was president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, an
engineering and science research university.
The summit, scheduled for June 19-21 in Washington, will feature more than 30 educational sessions and
dozens of senior DOD and congressional leaders focused on the key issues facing defense communities
and installations. Highlights include:
· Pre-conference workshops on community engagement, the BRAC process and enhanced use leasing
· An insider’s guide to the FY 2018 budget request
· Building the Next Great American Defense Community
· How basing decisions are made for new missions and force structure changes
· Whether installations and wind farms can coexist
· Managing political change at the local and state level
· The military’s response to the discovery of contamination of drinking water supplies at active and
closed bases
Featured speakers at the National Summit include:
· Army Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, assistant chief of staff for installation management.
· Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander, Air Education and Training Command
· Joseph Ludovici, deputy commander, Navy Installations Command
· Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member, House Armed Services Committee
· Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), co-chair, Defense Communities Caucus
· Rep. Martha Roby (R-Ala.), co-chair, Defense Communities Caucus
· Bob Hale, former Pentagon comptroller
· Anthony Principi, former chairman, 2005 BRAC Commission
· Michael O’Hanlon, senior fellow, The Brookings Institution
· Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-Ga.), member, House Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee
· Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), member, House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
· Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), member, Senate Armed Services Committee
More information about the National Summit, including the full program, can be found on the conference
website.