EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) -- Sen. Marco Rubio says he will to do what he can to ensure the Panhandle's sprawling Eglin Air Force Base's mission isn't hampered by military realignments and budget cuts.

Rubio addressed a handful of supporters at Eglin's Air Force Armament Museum Wednesday after touring the base and nearby Hurlburt Field, the Air Force's Special Operation Command headquarters.

The senator said he's greatly concerned about automatic defense budget cuts that would be triggered in January if Washington doesn't act, adding he supports efforts to postpone the cuts.

Rubio said: "We have this proposal for a dramatic reduction in defense spending on top of an already programed cut at a time when we need a stronger military, not a weaker one."