When I moved back to Meridian nearly three years ago, I immediately became involved with our local Navy League chapter.  Through this involvement, I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to fly on several different military aircraft. My first adventure was landing in a plane called a COD (Carrier On-board Delivery) on an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, which was at sea off the coast of Florida. Nothing gets the adrenaline flowing like trapping and catapulting off an aircraft carrier. Shortly after, I got the ride of a lifetime as I flew backseat in one of the N.A.S Meridian training jets, the T-45. 

Last Thursday, I chalked up another adventure when I was able to fly aboard a Mississippi Air National Guard KC-135R Stratotanker with the 186th Air Refueling Wing for a refueling mission over the Florida coast.  As most Meridianites are aware, the KC-135 aircraft are those huge gray jets based at Key Field. 

Once we made it to the coast, it didn’t take long for the first F-15 fighters to line up for in-flight refueling. It was amazing to watch the precision with which the Boom Operator guided the fuel line into a two-inch hole in the fighter jet flying below. He made it seem so easy, and I couldn’t help but think of how blessed we are to live in a town that is so well supported by the various military branches and how we had better nourish and protect those relationships.

Earlier last week, I attended the Meridian Navy League meeting where I serve as first vice president. For me, serving on the board of the Navy League has never seemed like work because I am a strong supporter of our military.  To me it is simple. Naval Air Station Meridian is our largest employer in Lauderdale County, and our region would be devastated if anything ever happened to our base. 

Traditionally, the Meridian Navy League has been one of the largest in the country. In 2005, our membership soared to over 1100 members, 43 of those being community (organization) affiliates. Since that time, membership has dropped and is, to date, approximately 700 members. Of those members 40 are community affiliates and the remainder are individual members. 

Although that number would be considered very good for most Navy League chapters, our Meridian chapter must continue to grow membership back to previous levels. Why? Because one day Meridian will face another round of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) evaluations and we better be ready to fight to keep our base when the time comes. 

Let me share with you some information that was discussed this past week during the Navy League meeting. Fact: the number of aircraft carriers commissioned has dropped and is projected to continue to drop. At one time, the optimal number of aircraft carriers needed was 12, which means we also had to have 12 air wings to support those carriers. That number is now 11, which means that there are only 11 air wings needed to support the carriers. That number is projected to drop to 10 within the next four to five years. 

The Naval Air Station Meridian exists to train war fighters. They produce both Navy and Marine pilots that are carrier-qualified and whose job is to protect our country and our interests abroad.  When the number of aircraft carriers decreases, the United States doesn’t need as many pilots in training to support the remaining carriers. 

The only two Naval Air Stations in the United States that train Navy pilots are located in Kingsville, Texas and Meridian, Mississippi. It has already been determined that if the number of carriers falls to nine, then one base can sufficiently produce enough pilots for those nine carriers. That means that either Kingsville or Meridian may no longer have a wing. That, my friends, is scary. That is the reason I am so passionate about the Navy League.

It is vital that IF -- or as some say WHEN -- Meridian is faced with another BRAC evaluation, we are armed and ready to fight the battle. One extremely important weapon in that battle is the power of community support, which is heavily measured through Navy League support.

So, here is the pitch for this column.  If you are a current Navy League member … thank you so much for your support. Your contribution to the Navy League provides for many support programs: from presenting the top pilot in each graduating class with the Golden Stick Award and $200 cash; providing college scholarships to area high school students; support for the ROTC program at Northeast High School; support for both the Navy and Marine Corp Ball; support for the Blue Angels Air Show;  and hosting important receptions for visiting admirals so Meridian can show high-ranking decision makers how much we love and want our Navy in Meridian. 

That’s why we need more support for the Meridian Area Navy League, so please pick up the phone and call the EMBDC office at 601-693-1306. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me direct at The Meridian Star. The yearly cost for an organization to be a community affiliate is $400, which includes four memberships. An individual membership is only $50 per year. 

Through hard work and support from our Navy League, politicians, and the community, Naval Air Station Meridian has survived several BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) rounds. Let’s get ready to fight when the next round comes. We will be much more powerful if we are proactive now than being reactive once the process starts. 



Crystal Dupré is publisher of The Meridian Star. E-mail her at

cdupre@themeridianstar.com.