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Protect military bases and state's economy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 26, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist last week traveled to Eglin Air Force Base in the Panhandle and signed, amid great fanfare, a bill establishing a panel to support the state's military installations.

But lest you think the creation of the Florida Council on Military Base Mission Support is feel-good political theater, consider the reaction of Tampa's former chamber of commerce chief four years ago when MacDill Air Force Base escaped the federal chopping block.

"This is bigger than the biggest corporate relocation we can ever envision," said Kim Scheeler.

That may have been an understatement. MacDill has a $6.7 billion annual economic impact on the region.

Florida's 21 military installations and related businesses generate at least $52 billion a year. Only tourism and agriculture generate more revenue.

So the military bases not only help protect the nation, but also are vital to Florida's economy.

Yet MacDill and other Florida bases have been targeted - at least initially - for reduction or closure during recent Base Closure and Realignment reviews. Those reviews are part of a process by the Department of Defense and Congress to identify expendable military operations.

Tampa was able to retain MacDill in no small part because of its strong history of support.

Communities that neglect a base's needs, allow development to encroach on its borders and ignore the needs of military personnel are more likely to lose their facilities.

In contrast, Tampa has sought to limit conflicting development around MacDill. The state used Florida Forever funds earlier this month to buy land that would - in addition to protecting wildlife habitat - buffer Santa Rosa County's Whiting Field.

Such cooperation is essential if the state is to be viewed as a prime location for the military.

While there is no BRAC process under way, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the Obama administration are looking to cut unnecessary spending.

It is likely the review will lead to at least some military operations, perhaps even some bases, being eliminated.

It is important Florida be able to make the case for any installation that should be questioned.

The nine-member Florida Council on Military Base Mission Support will provide support for all installations and serve as their liaison with the Legislature.

The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican, and Rep. Dave Murzin, a Pensacola Republican.

As the Tribune's Catherine Dolinski reports, the "council will analyze the strengths, needs and impacts of each base and support local communities adjusting to base realignments and closures ..."

If the panel is successful in focusing on the bases' needs, closures should be rare.

Military priorities and technology do evolve. Sometimes operations become obsolete. In such cases, the loss of a state facility may be justified. It does American taxpayers no good to maintain unneeded operations.

But frequently in closures an operation is relocated to another community, one that is viewed as more supportive or, more often, one that has more political clout.

The council, we hope, will keep the state vigilant against such economic attacks and make sure our military guardians never feel a lack of support or appreciation.

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