Congresswoman Brown Pleased To See Navy's Possible Return to Cecil Field

Statement

With respect to today's commission vote on a proposal that could reopen Cecil Field as a master jet base and close Naval Air Station in Oceana, Va., Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:

"Florida welcomes the transfer of the five P-3 squardons from NAS Brunswick, Maine, to NAS Jacksonville, as well as the 1,900 additional personnel at the Westside base. I am certain that the Jacksonville community will work with the families to make sure their transition is a seamless one. I was also very encouraged by the positive comments by the BRAC Commissioners concerning Cecil Field's potential, and I am confident that in the end, the Pentagon will see that Cecil Field is the best location for training the Navy's pilots. I am particularly excited to see that this plan could add thousands of jobs, as well as 250 jet fighters to Florida, both of which would be tremendously beneficial to our area. Given the serious safety issue of civilian encroachment near and around the Oceana naval Air Station, and given that the State of Florida is offering nearly $200 million to help relocate businesses at Cecil Commerce Center; providing access of up to $500 million in tax credits for housing, and promising a special legislative session to provide $100 million to the base, Cecil Field appears to be the perfect location for the Navy base if it moves out of Virginia Beach."

Source