Webb: Carrier Location Still an Open Question

Hugh Lessig · The Daily Press · Link to Article

Echoing his congressional counterparts in Hampton Roads, Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia said today he'll continue fighting against the Defense Department's plan to move an aircraft carrier from Norfolk to Mayport, Fla.

Here is the text of his statement to Secretary of the Navy Raymond E. Mabus, Jr.; Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead; and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway.

"I would like to emphasize that this discussion is clearly not over. We are going to have to make better use of limited funds. This requires investing in the places that enhance our overall ability to perform our national objectives, and that very strongly includes making sure that we hit the mark on our shipbuilding goals. Admiral, as you and I discussed when you visited, there is a great deal of concern about this. Senator Collins mentioned a CBO study that indicated that if certain trends were followed, the size of the Navy could be at 270 ships by 2025. In your testimony, you say that you can hit your 313 ship minimum in a certain period of time. Having an appropriately sized fleet is just as compelling a strategic concern as dispersal.

"You are likely familiar with the service of Admiral Joe Prueher. The former Vice CNO, Commander of the Sixth Fleet of NATO, former CINCPAC, and former Ambassador to China, stated his strong agreement that this amount of money would be much better spent in shipbuilding than in creating a redundant facility."

The "redundant facility" argument is something that Hampton Roads brings up again and again, and expect to hear more of it.