U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody wants to build upon Florida’s quiver of military installations by adding a new U.S. Coast Guard facility.
The Sunshine State is certainly not short of any Coast Guard activity. But Moody is arguing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs to add a new Coast Guard training facility in Florida.
Moody said in a press release that the new Coast Guard training base would add to the already formidable military presence in Florida and strengthen national security, as DHS has issued requests for information to states about a possible new Coast Guard training facility. DHS announced a call for requests last month.
Moody drafted a letter to the DHS Secretary Kristi Noem outlining, she said, the many benefits that adding such a Coast Guard training facility would bring to Florida. She pointed out that adding a Coast Guard training facility would be a natural progression.
“Florida already plays a substantial role in securing our country — we’re the proud home of 21 military installations and three combatant commands,” Moody said. “It just makes sense that our nation’s next U.S. Coast Guard training facility join these bases here in the Sunshine State, where we have a proven military infrastructure, available capacity, and strong interagency partnerships.”
There are already about a combined 50 Coast Guard offices, units and installations in Florida. Moody said in her letter to Noem that the state is a good fit for a training base, though she did not indicate where such a facility would be located.
“At a time when the Coast Guard is attempting to meet increasing military demands, Florida is proud to offer not only land and infrastructure, but communities that deeply value the Coast Guard’s mission,” Moody said in her letter. “The Sunshine State offers Coasties and their families the best chance for a boost in morale in their personal lives, given our lack of state income tax, military pension exemptions, numerous VA facilities, and a high appreciation rate in home values and affordability.”
The Coast Guard’s main training center has traditionally been based in Cape May, New Jersey. The Coast Guard’s website said it considers Cape May to be the service’s “hometown.”
