WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott introduced a resolution recognizing the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, when a Saudi military trainee killed three U.S. sailors and wounded several others on December 6^th, 2019. Senators Marco Rubio, Katie Britt, Tommy Tuberville, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock co-sponsored the resolution.

In 2020, Senator Rick Scott fought to include the Secure U.S. Bases Act in the National Defense Authorization Act to reform and improve foreign military student training programs following the terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola. This important bill requires a thorough vetting process before a foreign student enters the U.S., requires foreign students to follow rules established by U.S. Base Commanders and vastly improves the security of our military installations, service members, their families and the surrounding communities.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Today, we remember the lives of three brave Americans we tragically lost. Joshua Kaleb Watson, Mohammed Haitham and Cameron Walters dedicated their lives to serving and protecting our country, and are missed every day by their friends, family, and all who knew them. This act of terror never should have happened, and following the attack, I fought for significant reform through my Secure U.S. Bases Act that became law, and I will never stop working to make sure our bases are safe and this never happens again. Although it has been four years, the pain caused by the loss of these sailors will never go away. I am honored to stand with my colleagues today to recognize the lives we lost on that tragic day four years ago that shook the Pensacola community and our nation.”

Senator Marco Rubio said, “Four years ago, three of our brave service members tragically lost their lives in a senseless act of terror at NAS Pensacola. Today, we remember their legacies of bravery and heroism, and honor the first responders who responded that day.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville said, “Ensign Watson embodied the spirit of American heroism, standing tall in the face of terrorism to save others — even at the expense of his own life. His courage and quick action saved countless lives on a tragic day for our nation. Today, we pray for his family, friends, and fellow soldiers who still grieve the absence of a life taken too soon.  We will continue to share Joshua Kaleb Watson’s story of patriotism, service, and sacrifice, to ensure his memory lives on forever.”

Senator Katie Britt said, “We will always remember the three courageous servicemembers who were killed in a terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola on December 6, 2019, including Alabama’s Joshua ‘Kaleb’ Watson – a native of my hometown of Enterprise. Answering our country’s call to serve is one of the most noble actions that any American can undertake, and we will continue to honor and remember these three brave young men as the heroes that they were.”

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