Naval Station Mayport selected to house Navy's new surveillance drones

Naval Station Mayport has been selected to house the U.S. Navy's new squadron of unmanned aerial surveillance drones.

Mayport was selected from three finalists including Naval Air Station Key West and the NASA Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia.

In addition to eight Triton drones, up to 400 sailors and their families will be stationed at Mayport, Navy officials said.

Construction on the drone facility will begin this year and the first Triton Unmanned Aircraft System is scheduled to arrive in 2020.

The squadron will be used to provide sailors and Naval officers with real-time intelligence and surveillance and assist in maritime search and rescue operations.

The Navy’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle is capable of flying for more than 24 hours at a time and surveying over 2.7 million square miles in a single mission.

Sen. Bill Nelson, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged officials to choose Florida for the new squadron.

Nelson cited the state’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea and the ongoing maritime patrol operations already performed at Mayport as reasons why the base should be chosen.

Sen. Marco Rubio released a statement after the announcement:

I have long advocated for the Navy to base the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft in Mayport, so I am very pleased it decided to do so. We look forward to welcoming four new aircraft and the more than 400 sailors and their families who will soon call the Jacksonville area home. Florida's military community plays a vital role in defending our nation, and the Triton system is a key component of the Navy's maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions."

Rep. John Rutherford also released a statement about the news. He said housing the new squadron is a huge victory for the Jacksonville community and further strengthens its partnership with the Navy.

His full statement:

I am very pleased with the Navy's decision, which will not only enhance our national security by helping the Navy carry out its important maritime surveillance missions, but is also a huge victory for the Jacksonville community, further strengthening our partnership with the Navy. Naval Station Mayport and NAS Jacksonville are critical assets for our country and our region. The MQ-4C Triton will significantly increase the Navy's capabilities to conduct surveillance in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Jacksonville prides itself on being the most military friendly city in America, and we welcome the sailors that will operate these aircraft and their families, who have the full support of the City of Jacksonville and the State of Florida."

Cox Media Group