Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) is accompanying President Barack Obama on Air Force One to travel to Tampa, FL in support of his visit with active duty members at MacDill Air Force Base, home of the U.S. Special Operations Command,  the 6^th Air Mobility Wing and U.S. Central Command. Rep. Castor is also traveling with the President in support of the counterterrorism campaign he has directed as Commander-in-Chief.

“The security and safety of my community and our nation is paramount and President Obama has been committed to a broad framework for counterterrorism to preserve our security while upholding our country’s highest ideals,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “The responsibilities of Special Operations forces at MacDill AFB have been central to counterterrorism and our ability to stay out of reckless wars. I will be vigilant in working to ensure that our Special Operations forces receive the resources they need to fulfill their critical missions and keep us safe.

“The men and women in uniform who serve at MacDill are outstanding and I am enormously proud of them. They have shouldered the weight of America's national security in a chaotic world full of threats and challenges. President Obama remained committed throughout his presidency to the security of America. He redeployed ground troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan as promised, killed Osama bin Laden, strengthened the special operations mission, built vital international coalitions, and boosted military families along the way. I am proud to accompany him to Tampa and MacDill today.”

President Obama and U.S. Rep. Castor departed Joint Base Andrews, arrive at Tampa International Airport and will return to Washington, D.C. after the visit.

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