Statement by Governor Bush Regarding The United States Special Operations Command's Decision To Relocate Special Operations Command South To Homestead

Statement by Governor Jeb Bush Regarding The United States Special Operations Command's Decision To Relocate Special Operations Command South To Homestead From Puerto Rico

TALLAHASSEE-"Florida welcomes Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) to Homestead and our state's military community. This is a decision by U. S. Special Operations Command and U. S. Southern Command that will bolster the military value of the Homestead Air Reserve Base, as well as strengthen Florida's already robust military composition.

"The state is proud of our military presence, with 21 active installations and three unified commands contributing significantly to the $44 billion defense industry impact to Florida's economy, and the addition of SOCSOUTH is welcomed news. Approximately 150 military and civilian personnel and their families assigned to the command will relocate to the Homestead area before the end of March 2004, increasing the value of the military in Florida. We place defense as a top economic priority and must do all that we can to protect Florida's military installations from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process."