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125th Fighter Wing to change command Sunday, June 10, 2018

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MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: A change of command ceremony for the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing

WHEN: 3 p.m., Sunday, June 10. Media are asked to arrive no later than 2:30 p.m. in order to be escorted onto the installation. Late arrivals may not be accommodated.

WHERE: 125th Fighter Wing, located at 14300 Fang Drive, Jacksonville, Florida

Leadership of the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing will change hands in an official military ceremony, during which the colors (flag) of command representing the approximately 1,500 Airmen of the 125th Fighter Wing will be passed from Col. Brian Bell to Col. Jerry Reedy.

The 125th Fighter Wing has been a part of the Jacksonville community since 1947, proudly protecting the skies with strategic air defense over most of the Southeastern United States. Today, the wing maintains and flies the F-15C Eagle fighter jet while also performing a continuous 24-hour alert mission at Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami. Comprised of 23 separate units operating in five geographic locations throughout the state, the wing also has missions ranging from communications to engineering to weather forecasting.

Media may RSVP or direct questions to one of the numbers listed above.

Camp Blanding Named Top Military Installation for Conservation

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office: (904) 823-0166
Cell: (904) 501-6053

WHAT – An awards ceremony to present Camp Blanding with the national-level Military Conservation Partner Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

WHEN – 10:30 – 10:45 a.m., Wednesday, May 30. Media must arrive at the front gate no later than 10 a.m. in order to be escorted onto the installation. Late arrivals cannot be guaranteed an escort.

WHERE – Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, near Starke, Florida.

The Military Conservation Partner Award is given annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in recognition of a military installation that has accomplished outstanding work in cooperation with the Service to promote conservation on military lands over the previous year. Mr. Michael Oetker, the Acting Regional Director (Southeast), will present the award to Camp Blanding military leadership. 

MEDIA: Please RSVP to one of the numbers listed above if you plan to attend.

Gov. Rick Scott to Attend Florida National Guard Deployment Ceremony

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Today, April 6th, Governor Rick Scott will attend the Florida National Guard deployment ceremony for the 260th Military Intelligence Battalion in Miami.

WHAT: Florida National Guard Deployment Ceremony

WHEN: 1:00 PM

WHERE: Florida National Guard Robert A. Ballard Armory
700 NW 28th Street
Miami, FL 33127

National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at Camp Blanding

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Major Gen. Michael Calhoun hosts Camp Blanding’s Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at the Camp Blanding Museum tomorrow, March 29, at 3 p.m. Representative Ted Yoho will provide remarks and the keynote speaker will be Brig. Gen. (retired) Richard Capps, former Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Florida National Guard.

WHAT: National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at Camp Blanding

WHEN: 3 p.m., Thursday, March 29.

WHERE: Camp Blanding Museum, 5629 State Rd. 16 West, Starke, FL 32091.

*Media are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.

Governor Scott's Securing Florida's Future budget supports military heroes and their families

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Governor Rick Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget invests more than $67 million for the men and women of the Florida National Guard to remain ready and able to support their national, state and community missions. This funding includes providing ready military units and personnel to support national security and protect the State of Florida. The Securing Florida’s Future budget also makes investments for maintenance and security enhancements at armories throughout the state, community based programs for youth and adults, and support for Guardsmen pursuing higher education.
Governor Rick Scott said, “This year, more than 7,700 members of our Florida National Guard stepped up to protect our families and communities during and after Hurricane Irma. These brave men and women continually support our state, and we must do all we can to invest in resources that support them and their families. These investments will not only recognize the continued selfless work of our military heroes, but will also help ensure Florida remains the most military friendly state in the nation for years to come.”
“Governor Scott has always been a tremendous advocate for the Florida National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, the Adjutant General of Florida. “We are grateful for his ongoing support, which enables us to remain fully prepared to serve our citizens, state and nation when we are called upon.”
The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes:
Governor Scott’s recommended budget includes $1.7 million to maintain and repair armories which have been revitalized by the Florida Armory Revitalization Program (FARP). This investment will ensure that the updated facilities continue to enable Florida Guardsmen to be trained and ready to react when the state or nation calls upon them.
In addition to armory maintenance and repair, the Securing Florida’s Future budget provides $2 million to improve armory security. This investment will provide security enhancements to Florida National Guard Armories in order to protect the soldiers and civilians that use them daily.
The budget also provides more than $5.3 million for the Florida Youth Challenge Academy, a 17 ½ month voluntary program geared toward Florida’s 16-to-18-year old at-risk youth. The program consists of a five-and-a-half-month residential phase and a 12-month post-residential phase.  More than 4,000 young people have graduated from this program since its inception. For more information, please visit www.floridayouthchallengeacademy.org.
The Securing Florida’s Future budget also includes $4.2 million for Education Dollars for Duty. This program reimburses Florida National Guard service members for education expenses incurred in pursuit of technical certificates and/or associate’s, baccalaureate or master’s degrees from public or private institutions located here in Florida.
The budget also includes $200,000 for search and rescue vessels and protective equipment to be used by the Florida National Guard during deployment. This fall, Governor Scott deployed more than 7,700 members of the Florida National Guard to prepare and respond to Hurricane Irma, the largest storm to impact the State of Florida in recent history. This investment is crucial to ensuring Florida Guardsmen have the resources they need to keep families and communities safe during emergencies.

Gov. Scott: Florida Stands Ready to Help Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

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Gov. Scott: Florida Stands Ready to Help Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

Asks Florida State Colleges and Universities to Offer In-State Tuition to Students from Puerto Rico

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott reaffirmed Florida’s commitment to supporting Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. The Governor has notified the Florida National Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to be on standby for deployment following an official request for assistance from Puerto Rico, and the Florida National Guard is already actively assisting Puerto Rico with organizing and submitting relief requests. Governor Scott is asking Florida state colleges and universities to allow students displaced by the storm in Puerto Rico to be offered in-state tuition. Governor Scott also spoke with FEMA Administrator Brock Long today and with Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello before the storm made landfall last week to let them know that Florida stands ready to assist in any way possible throughout the recovery process.

 Governor Scott said, “The heartbreak that our friends in Puerto Rico are enduring following this devastating storm is unimaginable and our prayers are with every family who calls this beautiful island their home. This morning, I spoke with Brock Long to let him know that Florida stands ready to assist Puerto Rico in any way we can. Today, I directed the Florida National Guard and FWC to be prepared for deployment as soon as we receive a formal request for assistance from Puerto Rico. I am also asking all Florida state colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition to any student who was displaced from their home in Puerto Rico to make sure we are doing everything we can to help these families. 

“We know how important it is to share resources with our friends and neighbors during these times, and I was able to speak with Governor Rossello last week to tell him that Florida will provide whatever resources are needed to help families in Puerto Rico rebuild. Last week, I also had the opportunity to meet with Puerto Rican evacuees at Florida International University’s shelter and I was moved by their stories of strength and their determination to quickly return to and repair their homes. Their resilience after this tragedy is an inspiration to us all and Florida is proud to stand with Puerto Rico during this challenging time.”

Florida National Guard Responds to Hurricane Irma

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Currently, the Florida National Guard has more than 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen conducting search and rescue operations, recovery operations, supply distribution points, and shelter management operations throughout the state in support of local and state agencies.
More than 11,000 Guardsmen from other states are assisting in support of recovery operations throughout the state.
We’re extremely proud of the Guardsmen and active forces from across the country who are working now to save lives, prevent injuries and protect property.
We are well-equipped, with assets including high water vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more.
“The next days and weeks will no doubt be trying and exhausting as we begin to rebuild. But no matter what this storm has brought, know that you are not alone,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, the Adjutant General of Florida.
Response to Hurricane Irma has been a massive team effort, and we are proud to be working closely with our civilian partner agencies, National Guard units from other states and active-duty counterparts.
Florida National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are helping at more than 250 shelters statewide, and will continue to assist however needed and requested by the counties.
We have established Points of Distribution (PODs) throughout the state, and are operating at the State Logistics Readiness Center (SLRC) in Orlando and Logistics Staging Areas (LSAs) to ensure that we are able to get supplies quickly to those who need them.
We are aware of the critical situation in the Florida Keys, and continue to coordinate multi-service operations.  Our Soldiers and Airmen are providing critical capabilities to include road and runway clearance to enable the delivery of life-saving supplies.
Photos and video of FLNG support during Hurricane Irma can be found here and here.

Gov. Scott Activates 3,000 Additional Florida National Guard Members to Assist with Hurricane Irma Preparedness

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4,000 Guard Members Now Activated

Governor Rick Scott activated an additional 3,000 members of the Florida Army and Air National Guard to support with planning, logistics and operations in preparation for potential impacts from Hurricane Irma. A total of 4,000 members have now been activated and will respond to requests across the state to ensure communities are fully prepared for the storm. Tomorrow, 3,000 more National Guard members will be activated. As of Friday, the entire National Guard – 7,000 members – will be deployed.
Governor Scott said, “Today I am activating an additional 3,000 National Guardsmen to help with ongoing shelter operations and evacuations. We are expecting our state to have major impacts from Hurricane Irma and we are taking aggressive actions to make sure Florida is prepared. Today we will have more than 4,000 total Florida National Guard members activated, with all remaining members ready to report for duty first thing tomorrow to assist with preparation efforts. These men and women are putting themselves in harm’s way to save the lives of their fellow Floridians while many of their own families are evacuating. I am proud of their commitment to keeping our families safe.”
On Monday, Governor Scott issued Executive Order 17-235, which declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties within the State of Florida in response to Hurricane Irma and allowed for the immediate activation of National Guard members as preparedness actions continue.

Gov. Scott Activates 900 Additional Florida National Guard Members to Assist with Hurricane Irma Preparedness

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1,000 Guard Members Now Activated; 7,000 Total
Guard Members Will Report for Duty Friday Morning

Governor Rick Scott activated an additional 900 members of the Florida Army and Air National Guard to support with planning, logistics and operations in preparation for potential impacts from Hurricane Irma. These 900 members will respond to requests across the state to ensure communities are fully prepared for the storm. Governor Scott has now activated a total of 1,000 Guard members and the remaining 6,000 National Guard members will be reporting for duty no later than Friday morning. On Monday, Governor Scott issued Executive Order 17-235, which declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties within the State of Florida in response to Hurricane Irma and allowed for the immediate activation of National Guard members as preparedness actions continue.
Governor Scott said, “Today I am activating an additional 900 members of the Florida Army and Air National Guard to immediately begin assisting with ongoing Hurricane Irma preparation. By the end of today, there will be a total of 1,000 National Guard members activated. Hurricane Irma is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening Category 5 storm and the state is aggressively preparing to ensure families are safe as we prepare for a possible landfall. The brave men and women of the Florida National Guard are incredibly important to executing emergency preparedness and response actions across the state and I will continue to activate more members as needed. These members will be in place to help with evacuations and sheltering, as well as the coordination of search and rescue with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. National Guard members will also be assisting utility companies following the storm as they respond to return power to homes and businesses.”

Gov. Scott Activates 100 Florida National Guard Members to Assist with Hurricane Irma Preparedness

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7,000 Guard Members Will Report for Duty Friday Morning

Governor Rick Scott activated 100 members of the Florida Air and Army National Guard to support with planning, logistics and operations in preparation for potential impacts from Hurricane Irma. These 100 members will be stationed across the state, and will advise the Governor on available and needed resources to ensure communities are fully prepared for the storm. In addition, at the direction of Governor Scott, all 7,000 National Guard members will be reporting for duty Friday morning. Yesterday, Governor Scott issued Executive Order 17-235, which declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties within the State of Florida in response to Hurricane Irma and allowed for the immediate activation of National Guard members as preparedness actions continue.
Governor Scott said, “Today I am activating 100 members of the Florida Air and Army National Guard to immediately begin assisting with ongoing Hurricane Irma preparation. Per my direction, they will be stationed throughout the state. I have also directed all 7,000 guard members to report for duty this Friday, however, if resources are needed before then, I stand ready to activate as many guard members needed to support our aggressive preparedness actions. With Hurricane Irma now a category 5 storm, we must do all we can to prepare our families and communities for any potential impact from this major weather event. We do not know the exact path of this storm, but weather can change in an instant and while we hope for the best, we must prepare for the worst.”