County moves to protect Air Force mission

The City of Valparaiso has become exhibit one in the argument for joint land-use planning between the military and local communities.

“If this had been done in Valparaiso, we wouldn’t be losing 48 aircraft,” said Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter at an Aug. 26 meeting at which the commission changed its Land Development Code to better protect military needs.

Salter and other area leaders believe Valparaiso’s concerns about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters’ noise contributed to the Air Force’s decision to base just 59 of the next-generation jet fighter at Eglin instead of 107. The official reason given for reassigning the remaining aircraft to other facilities was Eglin’s crowded airspace.

For more on this story, check out the Sept. 16 edition of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.