Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) recently celebrated the Pentagon’s decision to station a new Air National Guard Squadron in Florida, touting her role in the matter.
I am happy to announce that I have successfully secured a Special Tactics Squadron (STS) at MacDill Air Force Base!
Thank you to @SecWar for making this happen. I look forward to welcoming you to MacDill for the establishment of this important new unit, which will help support hurricane response efforts while providing a premier location for America’s elite warfighters!
https://t.co/TOm8T3Mh8k
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) October 21, 2026
Rep. Luna affirmed that stationing the Squadron in Tampa, Fla., will ensure improved hurricane response efforts, "while providing a premier location for America's elite warfighters!"
The Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense announced the Florida-based Air National Guard Squadron as part of Sec. Hegseth's effort to modernize special operations architecture.
"The directive strategically positions a premier Special Tactics capability at the center of the nation's special operations command hub, deepening the integration between the National Guard and active-duty elite units to defend the United States and defeat global adversaries," the Defense Department stated. "By utilizing the highly experienced and deeply integrated personnel of the Air National Guard, the Department is bolstering its high-end combat controller, pararescue, and special reconnaissance capabilities."
The Squadron's placement near the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at the MacDill Base and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) at Hulburt Field in the Florida Panhandle, also "creates an unparalleled ecosystem of combat-ready training and mission execution."
Florida Lawmakers' Calls To Increase Personnel
The Pentagon's announcement comes less than a week after Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) alongside thirteen other Floridian lawmakers called on the Defense Department to increase the Florida National Guard (FLNG) personnel.
The lawmakers pointed to the pivotal role the FLNG plays in keeping Florida communities safe, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias.
