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Jackson, Miss. – Mississippi is taking a proactive step to safeguard its military future and the communities that depend on it. Governor Tate Reeves has announced the formation of Mission 3, a nonprofit organization designed to support the state’s defense infrastructure through strategic collaboration and long-term planning.
Mission 3 is a public-private partnership that brings together local governments, business leaders, and community stakeholders to advocate for military missions, improve quality of life for service members, and attract defense-related investment. The initiative is named for its three core pillars: military, defense, and community.
According to Governor Reeves, the organization adds a critical tool to the state’s efforts to support those who serve. “Mississippi’s military and defense communities are worthy of appreciation, support and investment,” Reeves said. “Through Mission 3, Mississippi will add another valuable tool in its toolbox to better support those who have sacrificed so much for us.”
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is home to several key defense installations, including Keesler Air Force Base, Camp Shelby, and the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. These facilities not only contribute to national security but also anchor thousands of jobs and drive regional economic activity.
However, defense funding and mission assignments are no longer guaranteed by geography alone. Federal decision-makers increasingly look for regions that demonstrate alignment in workforce development, innovation, and public-private cooperation. Mission 3 is Mississippi’s response to that shift.
“Mission 3 is our region’s answer to a changing defense economy,” said Jamie Miller, president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council. “It’s how we protect what we’ve built, grow what we’ve earned, and do right by the service members and families who serve us all.”
The organization will coordinate efforts to secure new missions, protect existing ones, and support infrastructure and housing improvements for military families. It will also serve as a unified voice for federal engagement and resource development.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Paul Drake has been appointed as Mission 3’s first executive director. Drake, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Army War College, brings decades of military leadership experience, including service in Iraq and a role as chief of staff for the National Guard Association of the United States.
“I’m grateful to Governor Reeves and our regional leaders for their vision,” Drake said. “Mission 3 will bring military leaders, businesses, and local officials together to speak with one unified voice – because no single organization can protect, enhance, and expand our region’s defense economy alone.”
The launch of Mission 3 follows a yearlong study by the Gulf Coast Business Council Masters Class, which examined successful military support models in other states. The initiative was made possible through a Defense Community Support Program grant from the Mississippi Development Authority, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Military Affairs.
Mission 3 represents a long-term investment in Mississippi’s defense readiness and community resilience, with the goal of ensuring that the state remains a vital part of the nation’s security infrastructure for generations to come.