“Today’s decision by the Department of Defense to postpone acting on the Navy's Record of Decision to homeport a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Mayport, Florida -- pending a review -- offers some room for optimism among Virginians. Along with other elected and community leaders across the Commonwealth, I remain committed to maintaining Hampton Roads as the East Coast home base for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.”
DoD decided to delay the decision until it comprehensively reviews the issue during the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review.
U.S. Representatives Rob Wittman and Glenn Nye, along with lawmakers from other states are intensifying their efforts to block moving an aircraft carrier to Mayport FL. Wittman and Nye wrote a letter to the acting Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn saying they'll oppose any requests for money to move the carrier to Mayport. The letter is signed by 18 representatives including 13 Democrats and five Republicans from Washington, Maryland, Ohio, New York and New Mexico.
Nye and Wittman are working to make this a financial issue rather than a Virginia v. Florida issue. It's a smart strategic move considering the current state of the economy.
Congressman Glenn Nye (VA, 2n District) said: “This is not a Virginia versus Florida issue; this is a question of spending our military dollars wisely at a time when budgets are already stretched thin. Members of Congress from both parties, all across the country, have recognized that it makes no sense to spend a billion dollars to outfit a redundant port facility on the East Coast.
Congressman Rob Wittman (VA, 1st District) said: “I am deeply concerned by the Navy’s decision to shift the homeporting of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier from Norfolk, VA to Mayport, FL. In fiscal year 2009 the Navy reported unfunded requirements in excess of $4.5B. Building duplicative infrastructure in the current fiscal environment does not make budgetary or strategic sense, especially given the Secretary of Defense’s budget cuts for fiscal year 2010.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Virginia, said in a statement, "I am gratified that the Department of Defense has formally decided to postpone the major elements of the Navy's proposal until after a proper strategic review has been conducted, as I have consistently urged." "I look forward to reviewing the rest of the proposal - which includes a request for funds to conduct minimal dredging and pier work at Mayport - on its merits, as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 budget process."
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., struck a similar tone, "This is a promising development for the taxpayers and for the Navy, and I am pleased the Pentagon has agreed with our request to focus on the fiscal and strategic realities of building an extra nuclear carrier facility at Mayport."
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was more cautious, saying the decision "offers some room for optimism."
Frank Roberts, director of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, said the Navy had more pressing needs than spending $600 million to prepare Mayport Naval Station for a nuclear carrier. "It's definitely the right and appropriate decision," he said. However, Roberts said, "I don't think we're ever safe. We have to be constantly vigilant."
Considering the move as part of next year's quadrennial defense review will delay a decision until at least 2011, he said. This means the Navy will keep its fleet of five operational carriers at Norfolk Naval Station.
The Navy is proceeding with dredging work at Mayport Naval Station, so it can serve as a future homeport or as an emergency location for a carrier. In January, after a 2-1/2-year environmental study, the Navy said that dispersing the East Coast fleet would reduce the risks of a catastrophic attack or natural disaster.
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