Resolution 279-2001 Commissioner Charles"Sonny"McCoy
RESOLUTION NO. 279-2001
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, REQUESTING FEDERAL REVIEW FOR THE PURPOSE OF
RETAINING STATION DESIGNATION FOR KEY WEST NAVAL AIR STATION, KEY
WEST, FLORIDA
WHEREAS Naval Air Station Key West(NASKW)has established itself as the U.S.Navy's premier
pilot training facility for tactical aviation squadrons, and historically and currently plays a vital role in
supporting national defense; and
WHEREAS,the importance of NASKW's training facilities has increased due to Base Realignment
and Closure(BRAC)related closures of other installations and resulting in increased operations at
remaining installations, i.e.,NASKW; and
WHEREAS,NASKW commands an area of surveillance, control and training unduplicatable; and
WHEREAS,NASKW must continue its major command role as a host activity for several critical
Commands such as the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force East(JIATFE),the United States Army Special
Forces Underwater Operations School(USASFUOS), and the Joint Southern Reconnaissance Surveillance
Operating Center(JSRSOC); and
WHEREAS,the number of NASKW current Tactical Training missions (similar to"Top Gun")
flown exceed all pre-BRAC IV missions and continue to increase; and
WHEREAS,the intent of BRAC IV was for NASKW to focus on its aviation mission,to divest
excess property,and reduce operating costs,which it has done; and
WHEREAS,NASKW was directed under BRAC IV to re-align to a Naval Air facility when there
is no historical difference or distinction between an Air Station and Air facility nor is there any
established references creating a difference except to denigrate its importance; and
WHEREAS, such false perceptions have caused severe negative impacts to the Naval Air Station's
budgeting in the past and a false perception that the Navy's presence in the Florida Keys has become less
significant and is in jeopardy of closure;therefore
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA that:
(1) The State's Federal Congressional delegation becomes cognizant of the antipathetic nature of a simple
name change with a projected adverse outcome; and
(2) That the Congressional delegation be beseeched to take all necessary steps to ensure that the Naval Air
Station retain its name to reflect more accurately its increased operational and training tempo,thus
providing a reasonable sense of stability to the socioeconomic aspects of supporting and operating a
military installation such as Naval Air Station Key West within the Florida Keys and for the well being
of this community,the Caribbean,and indeed our nation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,at a
regular meeting of said Board held on the 15 day of August, 2001.
Mayor George Neugent Yes
Mayor Pro Tern Nora Williams Yes
Commissioner Charles"Sonny"McCoy Yes
�. r?'; . o ner Murray Nelson Yes
o chic r Dixie Spehar Ye s
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