Representative Gwen Graham wants to expand U.S. Air Force presence in Florida.
Graham is collaborating with Representatives from Jacksonville and Miami to vie for a new generation of fighter jets. The advanced F-35 Joint Strike Fighters could be held at Homestead’s Air Reserve and Jacksonville’s Air National Guard facilities.
The U.S. Air Force is considering the bases in two separate selections. Homestead is pitted against three other facilities across the country, and Jacksonville against 17 others. The bases will be evaluated on a variety of factors, like cost, airspace, hanger and ramp space, weather, and environmental requirements. The selected Air National Guard bases will receive their jets in 2022, the Air Reserves in 2023.
