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GUEST EDITORIAL: Navy's return to Cecil Field is best for city, state and nation's security
Written by: U.S. SEN. MEL MARTINEZ | Publication: Florida Times Union
November 1, 2006 -
An important step in the future of Cecil Field will be decided on Nov. 7.I know that this has been an issue that has divided the Jacksonville community over what is best.
I believe the decision on Cecil Field has ramifications not only in the Jacksonville region, but across our state and across our entire nation.
Returning Cecil Field to the Navy is important for our state's economy, it is important to the hard work we have done over the years to create an optimal environment for the military in our state, and it is without a doubt important for our country's national security.
Allowing the Navy to locate at Cecil Field would help to fulfill a national security priority. The men and women of our military deserve first-class training.
The facility in Virginia has been identified as inadequate for that mission.
Due to severe encroachment from decades of development, the Navy already sends squadrons from Oceana to train in our region.
Allowing the Navy to look to Cecil Field as a permanent solution makes sense, and it would help provide our military men and women the best available training space.
They deserve nothing less in defending our country.
In addition to its importance to our national security, returning Cecil Field to the Navy is important to help the state of Florida and the Jacksonville region remain an optimal location for our country's military.
The most recent round of Base Realignment and Closure was a difficult time for many Florida communities, Jacksonville included. BRAC brought uncertainties - economic and social.
Military families pondered the possibility of having to leave the First Coast. Employers had to calculate what life might be like with a reduced military presence.
But through the unified and hard work of Gov. Jeb Bush, Rep. Ander Crenshaw, Mayor John Peyton and other leaders, the Jacksonville region - and the entire state of Florida - gained military presence.
We want to continue to provide the most optimal environment possible to ensure the U.S. military continues to view Florida as a prime location for its bases and training missions.
At a time when communities all across our nation are scrambling to fill the deep economic voids left by base closures, our state, including Northeast Florida, is reaping the benefits of additional military responsibilities.
A master jet base at Cecil Field will continue this progress.
According to an independent study by the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development, adding a master jet base will bring the First Coast more than 31,000 jobs.
It will also generate an additional $2.6 billion a year in the economy and create important synergies with our existing military installations.
Naval Air Depot Jacksonville, for instance, is the largest depot in the Navy and the largest industrial employer in Northeast Florida.
Its 3,500 employees provide efficient, timely and cost-effective support to the fleet. NADEP's role will be significantly strengthened with a master jet base at Cecil Field.
As one of the truly defining moments of a community, fact-based public debate and discourse is wholly appropriate, expected and responsible.
Understandably, the issue of shifting Cecil Field's future from that of an industrial park back to military use has brought about many difficult and emotional questions and concerns.
I think all sides are working for what they see as the best future for Jacksonville.
However, I think that this region is ready to grow further into its role of serving our nation's military needs.
It is time to embrace a brighter and more prosperous future for Jacksonville and the state of Florida.
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