Ros-Lehtinen Sets Up Meeting With Air Force To Discuss Proposed Homestead Air Show

Press Release

By Christina Veiga

Though the Air Force chose not to support a private air show at the Homestead Air Reserve Base, congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen isn't giving up.

The Florida Republican, whose district includes Homestead, has requested a meeting with Air Force officials in a letter sent Tuesday to the Pentagon.

"The importance of this project cannot be over stated and I am committed to a timely solution that will bring the proposed Miami International Aerospace Show to Homestead Air Reserve Base," she wrote.

Unlike consumer air shows that feature vintage planes and trick flying, the proposed new show would target aerospace manufacturers and potential buyers. It has been a major goal of the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade's tax-funded economic development agency.

Just last month, the council announced it had enough interested vendors to host the first show in Homestead in the fall. Miami-Dade County pledged $7.5 million to host it and Monroe County commissioners passed a resolution in support.

But the event counted on the Air Force allowing private companies to use the base's runway, and the Air Force rejected those plans, citing concerns over safety and setting a precedent, and said it would consider future plans with "due deliberation."

Ros-Lehtinen requested an in-person meeting in her Washington, D.C., office with members of the Air Force, county officials and the Beacon Council "to discuss a future agreement that would be acceptable to the Air Force."

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