Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2008-51-Support of USAF Beddown — reading text

RESOLUTION 08- 51 A RESOLUTION BY THE TEAM EGLIN MAYOR' S COUNCIL IN CONJUCTION WITH THE EMERALD COAST MILITARY AFFAIRS COUNCIL TO SUPPORT USAF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRAC ' 05DECISION TO BEDDOWN THE JOINT STRIKEFIGHTER ( F- 35) AND THE JOINT INTEGRATED TRAINING CENTER AT EGLIN AFB TO REPLACE THE DEPARTING F- 15 FIGHTER WING. WHEREAS, Eglin AFB is a National Treasure with its extensive air, land and water ranges; its location within the various multi-service military installations; its unique cradle- to- grave capability for air munitions development, testing and acquisition; its ability to absorb new missions with minimal impact on existing missions; and its superlative supportive community relations; WHEREAS, In the interest of National Security, the aging USAF fighter fleet is being updated with new more- capable aircraft. As part of that modernization, the 33rd Fighter Wing, its aircraft and personnel are being deactivated and moved from Eglin AFB leaving empty and unused facilities and other infrastructure on base, all of which will significantly diminish the military' s estimated annual $ 7 Billion economic impact on surrounding communities; WHEREAS, The BRAC ' 05 chose Eglin as the most cost- effective and optimum mission location to base the F- 35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Joint Integrated Training Center, associated equipment and personnel thereby utilizing significant portions of the empty infrastructure, as well as providing ready access to available ranges and air space; WHEREAS, Environmental studies have shown potential for some adverse noise compatibility issues in worst case scenarios, causing concern and vocal opposition within a few nearby neighbors, which in . turn, might cause the Air Force to look at other options; WHEREAS, We, the elected mayors of cities and municipalities adjacent to Eglin AFB with the goal of continued excellent military/community relations, our support of improved national security, and in the interest of maintaining a continued healthy economic impact from the military; WE THEREFORE DO PROCLAIM, As elected leaders of municipalities in the Eglin AFB neighborhood, and in coordination with the Emerald Coast Military Affairs Council, appoint our group as the Team Eglin Mayors' and Community Leader' s Council and do hereby welcome and strongly support the F -35 bed down and the training mission at Eglin AFB as planned in the BRAC ' 05 decision and are fully committed to working with USAF officials to resolve these compatibility issues in a timely and satisfactory manner. Signed this 24th day of September 2008: ichael Anderson Mayor, City of Fort Walton Beach, FL Craig Barker Mayor, City of Destin, FL Michael Iovieno Mayor, Town of Cinco Bayou, FL Charles Bolton Mayor, City of Mary Esther, FL Randall Wise Mayor, City of Niceville, FL John B. Arnold, Jr. Mayor, City of Valparaiso, FL Gary Combs Mayor, Town ofShalimar, FL David Cadle Mayor, City of Crestview, FL Vizell Robbins, Jr Mayor, City of Laurel Hill, FL J .M. Marse Mayor, City of Freeport