There's been a lot of controversy surrounding the City of Valparaiso's vote to sue the Air Force over the decision to bring 59 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Eglin. Now, Okaloosa County's Tax Collector, Chris Hughes, is taking a stance in support of the Air Force.

Earlier Friday Hughes invited locals to sign a billboard supporting the F-35s and hundreds of people showed up to add their signatures.

Within minutes of the billboard's arrival at Uptown Station in Ft. Walton Beach, people had markers in hand ready to sign in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's move to Eglin.

Okaloosa County's Tax Collector Chris Hughes organized Friday’s event. Hughes wants the Air Force to realize the number of people in the community who support the F-35s.

"We need to do something where Washington, the Pentagon brass and Congress will see that we truly do support the F-35 because if we don't we're going to lose it," says Hughes.

Throughout the morning county officials, along with locals, young and old, added their names to the billboard.

Some people just signed their names, others wrote messages of support. But for the active duty military personnel that attended the event, they say, they're just happy to see so many people showing up to support the F-35.

"I think it's great. It shows how much support we have in the community," Said A1C Katie Meany.

The billboard will be posted in the City of Valparaiso at Eglin's East Gates. Locals hope the sign will also boost the morale of Eglin personnel.

"All the Airmen that are coming on the base can see this billboard and it will show the support for the Air Force," said Valparaiso resident Joe Rushing.

For Hughes, the sign has another purpose.

"I want to kinda put some pressure on those who are being vocal against it that this could kill our economy. A little bit of noise is worth when it's protecting our freedoms."

Hughes expects the billboard will be posted sometime next week.