Big Victory: Congressman Matt Gaetz Secures $30 Million for Test Range Enhancements

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report on Tuesday. The report, which passed 356–70, included Rep. Gaetz’s initiative for a $30 million increase in funding to military test ranges, including the Gulf Test Range.

Spanning the coast of Florida’s First Congressional District, the Gulf Test Range provides approximately 120,000 square miles of overwater airspace. It is used for high altitude, supersonic air combat training, as well as air-to-air missile testing, drone targeting, hypersonic weapons testing, and space launches. Additionally, the Air Force Special Operations Command, the 96th Test Wing, the 33rd Fighter Wing, and others all train on the Gulf Test Range.

In response to the passage of the NDAA Conference Report, Rep. Gaetz issued the following statement:

“The passage of the 2018 NDAA Conference Report is a tremendous victory for Florida’s First Congressional District. America’s military readiness depends on proper training. America’s heroes need to be trained on up-to-date technology, so they are prepared for any threats they may encounter. But even though our military technology has developed rapidly in recent years, our test ranges have not. At the Gulf Test Range, over 80 training flights per year have been canceled because of congestion and airspace limitations. Increased funding for test ranges will give the men and women of our armed forces the space and resources they need, and I am glad that my colleagues recognized the vital importance of training ranges for America’s national security.

“This is a huge victory, but our work is not over. The Gulf Test Range is crucial for America’s military readiness — but so is the Military Mission Line. Senator Nelson and I have been vocal in our opposition to energy exploration near the Military Mission Line. In addition to threatening Florida’s Gulf Coast ecosystem and environment, any outside encroachment on the Military Mission Line would hinder our military readiness and threaten our national security. As we move into the next NDAA season, I will work diligently to protect this key strategic resource from outside development,” Rep. Gaetz said.