About Us
South Mississippi’s
Unified Defense Support Organization
Mission 3 (M3) is South Mississippi’s Defense Community Support Organization—a strategic partnership strengthening the vital connections between our military installations, defense industry, and the communities that sustain them.
Born from Governor Reeves’ vision for strengthening regional defense community support, Mission 3 was established in 2025 through a strategic planning effort led by the Gulf Coast Business Council. After years of incremental benchmarking, research and rigorous analysis, the need for an organization in south Mississippi was confirmed.
Mission 3 brings together military leaders, local governments, educational institutions, industry partners, and community organizations to collectively address the region’s most pressing defense-related needs. We align efforts across community development, quality of life, workforce development, and mission support to ensure South Mississippi remains mission-ready and nationally competitive.
Mississippi’s $8.9 billion defense economy is largely concentrated in South Mississippi giving emphasis to ensuring our bases succeed, our families thrive, our workforce excels, and our communities prosper.
Our Mission
To unify South Mississippi as a defense community where military-community collaborations thrive, military families are supported, innovation thrives, and regional economic strength continues to grow.
Our Vision
To make South Mississippi America’s leading model of defense-military- community partnership.
History
Leadership
Colonel Paul Drake (Ret.)
Executive Director
Founded by Gulf Coast Business Council
Our History
In October 2025, Governor Tate Reeves publicly announced Mission 3 as Mississippi’s first regional defense and military community support organization. Mission 3 was established through a Defense Community Support Program grant and is built as a public-private partnership backed by state and regional leadership.
Installations
Where We Serve
South Mississippi is home to an unmatched concentration of advanced manufacturing, military, aerospace, maritime, and cyber assets.
Keesler Air Force Base
US Coast Guard
US Coast Guard
Naval Construction Battalion Center
NASA Stennis Space Center
Trent Lott Training Facility
Camp Shelby
Regional Locations Serving Military Missions
- Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center
- Keesler Air Force Base
- Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport
- Trent Lott Training Facility, Gulfport-Biloxi Airport
- NASA Stennis Space Center
- US Coast Guard Stations across the Gulf Coast
Strategic Advantages
- Deep-water coastal ports in Gulfport, Pascagoula, and Bienville
- Air mobility and commercial access through Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Stennis International Airport, and Trent Lott International Airport
- Year-round training climate
- Riverine, coastal, and inland testing environments
- Class I rail connectivity
Workforce Partners
Who We Work With
Mission 3 works alongside South Mississippi’s leading workforce and education providers to prepare a skilled defense and technology workforce.
Accelerate MS develops statewide pipelines for high-demand careers.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College trains generations of defense manufacturing professionals and leads in artificial and cybersecurity readiness.
Pearl River Community College expands aerospace and aviation workforce development programs in Hancock County.
The University of Southern Mississippi maintains academic programs that have active defense/military research and development grants.
Mississippi State University advances cyber, data, and defense research, including leadership of the Mississippi Cyber Initiative.
William Carey University provides leadership and healthcare education supporting military and community well-being.
Innovation
Areas of Excellence & Innovation
South Mississippi is positioned for continued investment in emerging and national-security-driven research sectors:
Advanced Maritime and Blue Economy Systems
Ocean Research Vessels and Testing Facilities
Artificial Intelligence and Data Systems
Advanced and Additive Manufacturing
Cyber Defense and Digital Readiness
Aviation and Aerospace Technologies
Long Term Investments
Recent regional long-term investments include the opening of the USM Marine Research Center and the Roger F. Wicker Ocean Enterprise Building. Additional new investments include the anticipated completion of the Mississippi Cyber and Technology Center adjacent to Keesler Air Force Base and the Gilbert R. Mason ocean research vessel.
Contracting
Small Business & Defense Contracting
Mississippi’s defense economy generates $8.9 billion annually and supports 70,000 defense jobs—most of which is concentrated in South Mississippi. Defense represents 6.5 percent of Mississippi’s total GDP. More than $400 million in coastal contract spending (excluding shipbuilding) is awarded annually to companies in the region.
Mission 3 works with local businesses to encourage a greater number of small business contracts being awarded on the local level. This is the result of the collective efforts of small business support organizations, chambers, economic developers, and industry partners to expand contracting opportunities, retain and grow the defense workforce, and support companies developing new technologies for federal applications.