Florida signs agreement to allow military exercises in Tate's Hell

The Florida Forest Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Air Force that will allow for military training missions in the Tate’s hell State Forest.

As part of the Gulf Regional Airspace Strategic Initiative, the Florida Forest Service will allow limited military missions on portions of Blackwater River State Forest and Tate’s Hell State Forest.
The missions will make use of existing forestry areas, such as the grass air landing strip at Blackwater River State Forest and various helicopter landing pads on Tate’s Hell State Forest.
The Air Force says the missions will not negatively impact recreation, public access or sustainable forestry practices on either state forest.
Before any missions are conducted, Air Force and Florida Forest Service personnel are required to develop an operations plan that outlines training specifics to guarantee minimal impact to the state forest and its users.
Only special operations, air operations, and use of existing forestry facilities will be allowed, no live ammunition will be fired on the state forests.   
According to the Air Force, expanding the training onto state forests will continue the economic benefits of the military presence in the Panhandle, while helping protect Northwest Florida military bases from defense base closures and realignment discussions because of the strong state support for our military installations.


http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments