Graham Fighting to Expand Air Force in Florida

Press Release

Representative Gwen Graham is working across the aisle with fellow Florida Representatives Ander Crenshaw, (R-Jacksonville) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Miami) to advocate for expanding the United States Air Force's presence across the state.

Rep. Graham, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, sent two letters to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James advocating for Jacksonville and Homestead to house new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets. The letters were co-authored by Reps. Crenshaw and Ros-Lethinen who represent the cities' reserve bases in Congress.

"I believe we need to work together as a Congressional delegation in the best interest of our state, regardless of political party," Rep. Graham said. "Florida military installations account for more than 750,000 jobs and contribute $73 billion to our economy -- that's more than nine percent of the state's economic footprint. Expanding the Air Force's presence with the F-35 is a smart move for the defense of our nation, and it will create jobs and grow our economy."

The F-35 will replace aging fighter jets, many of which date back to the 1970s. With stealth and next-generation technologies, the F-35 will be the world's most advanced fighter.

The Air Force officials announced April 12 that Homestead Air Reserve Base is among four candidate bases for the first Reserve-led F-35A Lightning II location, and Jacksonville's Air National Guard is among 18 finalists for a separate squadron of the fighter jets.

Representatives Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Patrick Murphy (FL-18), Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Curt Clawson (FL-19), David Jolly (FL-13) and Jeff Miller (FL-01) also signed onto the letter in support of Homestead ARB.