Mission 3: Gov. Reeves launches new military support organization

BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) — Governor Tate Reeves was here on the Coast Thursday to announce the launch of a new program designed to support our South Mississippi military communities.

‘Mission 3’ is a new organization with a focus on supporting quality of life improvements for military families, attracting defense innovation efforts to the Coast, and serving as a hub for local governments to effectively coordinate with Coast military installations.

This new program is a public-private non-profit, and it’s all made possible through a defense community support program grant from the Mississippi Development Authority.

Governor Reeves says that since the Mississippi Gulf Coast is home to one of the most strategic clusters of defense assets in the nation – including Keesler Air Force Base, the Sea Bee base, Camp Shelby, Stennis Space Center, and U.S. Coast Guard offices, its vital to ensure the success of the state’s military assets.

But, this new organization is also expected to positively impact civilians locally.

Mission 3 will be led by retired Air Force Colonel Paul Drake, who says the Gulf Coast needs to be America’s premier defense community in order to keep growing.

Governor Reeves says this project has been a long time in the making and is expected to bring together community leaders, industry partners, and local governments in the months and years to come.