Admiral hopeful for future of Whiting Field

“When we get a day to showcase our county, we should do it, and do it well.”

Those words from County Commissioner Don Salter spoke loud and true as local vendors hosted the presence of the Commander of Navy Region Southeast Rear Admiral Townsend Alexander.

The commander at Whiting Field visited the Milton Community Center Wednesday morning to answer citizens questions on the future of Whiting Field, and to get input on how the naval base could be improved.

“The relationship between Santa Rosa County and Whiting Field is the model of how I want to do business at the other bases around my region,” said Alexander.

That model Alexander said was something that had to stay molded in order for the county and other bases around the region to flourish. The rear admiral told the audience of nearly 60 that there were several bases in the region that were either on their way to being shut down or would be shut down in the future.

Alexander said his primary mission was to save Whiting Field through the efforts of county commissioners in order to preserve it for the future.

Land preservation in and around Whiting Field had been a huge topic in Santa Rosa County for several weeks, and the rear admiral said he wanted to see those talks continue in the future.

“We want to continue to preserve the mission we have here inside the fence line,” Alexander said. 

Several audience members brought up topics such as wind farms and off sea drilling, questioning whether it would interfere with the mission Alexander and Whiting Field had for the region

“I know there was an intent to buy wind farms, but we have found they can interfere with airport radar,” said Alexander.

Right now, the regional admiral said his division is not in talks with companies on the possibility of off-shore drilling, but said it may become a challenge in the future of the area.

“We face several challenges across the region, but if we can use what we have now, we can build a better place for those who live here tomorrow,” Alexander said.

Commanding Officer Captain Pete Hall commended the rear admiral before his speech on the amount of concern and initiative he takes in the Santa Rosa community. 

“This is what makes Whiting Field so successful,” Captn. Hall said. “We want to let the community here see which direction we are headed in.”

Salter said it is not only Rear Adm. Alexander, but also the community’s responsibility to get involved in military affairs around the region. The commissioner noted that the community has taken on these responsibilities and it is what has made NAS Whiting Field so successful.

“It is the community’s responsibility to protect and enhance everything along the fence line, and we recognize the efforts of those community members,” Salter said.

Alexander said he doesn’t see Whiting Field going anywhere but up within the coming years.  The admiral answered concerns of the drop in the population of Navy servicemen. Alexander commented on the decline in the Navy population and assured that the branch is now where it needs to be in both its population and its mission. 

“We lost a few men, but now we are at the perfect functioning amount for our branch,” Alexander said.

The Captain commended the community for their efforts to bring Whiting Field and the Santa Rosa community together, and said he is looking forward to more growth.

“We need to always look for ways to partner with the community,” Alexander said.  “We will have a better tomorrow for everyone if we do that.”