Future of Mayport Naval Station remains uncertain

i, also, have spent what feels like a lifetime within the military bounds...coming from a military family background of all navy, marines, army and air force within my families backgrounds.

i live in va beach and my husband was also military as three of my four children were/are.

remember when operation desert storm came along? all went to fight. there were many businesses that lost alot of money because the military was not there to put their hard earned monies into supporting those businesses... so amy is correct in asking for respect for anyone in the military as good or as bad as they may be... but i am telling you...give the military members female and male the respect courage and grattitude they deserve for protecting the/your sorry asses who only do nothing but complain about the military life and what they do or dont do...

go to the president he is the one who makes stupid decisions and pockets money that should go to the ecomony!!! he is the one pocketing millions alone for the high gas prices he allows to the american people. let's not even go in the direction of allowing foreigners into our beloved country so us americans can learn their language. last ti

Amy, I think your point of the military and their families not being treated well has clearly been proven by the comments on this story. You have expressed your opinion on the military not being as welcomed as in other military towns you have lived in. That is your opinion based on what you went through, and you are entitled to it without all these rude people attacking you and belittling you. By the way, I am not only in the navy, but also married to a military member. In general we have felt welcomed by the people in the Hampton Roads area, but when things go wrong like too much traffic on the roads and the rising home assessments, people will always blame the military. You can't have it both ways people, it's just like a marriage, you get the good with the bad.

Now how many up-armored Humvees could that buy?

How many next generation body armor sets?

How many retention bonuses to key military positions?

How about using it for an economic stimulus package if you are an anti-war type?

Way too much money to play politics with IMHO.

Possibly waiting for a carrier to pass over the tunnel then blow it, the resulting air bubble released at the right spot and time could very well destroy the ship, lock the bay, close the tunnel, and wreak environmental havoc all at the same time.

Blowing up the HRBT would more than likely make the channel deeper , not block it. It sits in a trench below the bottom . It would collapse on itself.

I would like to point out to those of you whom obviously believe I am either home sick, believe I am entitled to something I am not, have done nothing for the area or am just complaining in general I offer this to you. My entire life has been spent within the bounds of the military. I have spent at least 13 out of the last 15 years in this area having moved away and come back. I say what I do from the perspective of having seen enough and heard enough here to be able to make an informed opinion. If I did NOT like the military life style I never would have married a service member. Like it or not, this area is not very military friendly and given that this is "home" to me I don't really see how I could be home sick. If you can actually point out one instance where I did say any of those things, please point them out.

I do not ask for more than I feel my family is entitled to, although I don't think it's TOO much to ask for a bit of respect. If I did not like the life, I would not encourage my husband to greater heights within the military. As with anything in life, you get what you EARN.

All us military people hear is complains about us being here and now that Mayport might get some of our ships and are willing to dredge the pier, then now people want us to stay. Nobody ever looks at the big picture. We have many missions and operations that require us to be all over the world. Mayport and Norfolk have two different and distinctive missions. All people are worried about is the financial impact, even though it wouldn't be enough to even see a difference. I wish people would make up their minds. For having the largest military installations on the east coast, you would think there would be a closer and mutual relationship. But people take for granted and only expect things to stay the same. Or complain without understanding national security, which is everyones concern, exspecially after 9/11.

Quote: "Jessica Smith, spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, said the Navy has higher priorities than dispersing its fleet. The need to do that has been diminished since the end of the Cold War, she said."
Remember Pearl Harbor!!!
Do you read the "diversionary" stories on page one or do you read the real news back on page 10, you know, the small print two paragraph stories about the renewal of Russian Bomber flights and the Chinese naval build-up?
The Cold War is trying to resurrect itself, and Communism never died for 1 billion Chinese citizens. While America's economy is in decline, Russia and China are sitting on enormous wealth.
Disperse the fleet, even if it's just conventional warships!

As far as what benefits they could get from it, I have no idea, but what did they really gain from 9-11 either except total fear in the US, shutting down travel for a week, and headlines? Terrorism doesn't have to make sense, it has to strike fear and that's it. If they managed to blow up a few carriers they could cause a very nice Chernobyl effect and take VA Beach off the tourist list forever. Least the stupid tourists would be gone... Just my opinion.

blow up the HRBT and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnels from within, and the Navy in Norfolk won't be going ANYWHERE for a while.

going to nuke our navy? I mean really what terrorist group would benefit from that? Do any of them have a navy to to use against ours? Maybe should spread out our capital across the eastern seaboard so if it is nuke it can still function, oh wait it can't even function when it is completely intact. But seriously, it is inefficient to have the navy spread out but so much, not to mention expensive. Norfolk is the ideal spot because it is dead center on the eastern seaboard.

I'm a 20 year retired naval officer; my opinion is to disperse additional ships to Mayport from Norfolk. Why you ask? To protect the fleet? To help northern Florida economically? Actually none of the above. A couple carriers and escorts (frigates/destroyers) from here to there would possibly help the traffic around here. Being as we don't have the $$ for road improvements, it seems like a real "win win" to me!

Spreading the Nuclear Navy further around the globe is bad planning in general (Increased cost, Increased possibility of environmental damage, Need for increased security, et el). I'd elaborate but it's not worth it for the few that don't understand. Nuclear work is hard, redundant and inherently expensive. The smell of money is causing private industry to send in it's lobbyists in the cracks and gaps in the armor of our countries defense... Don't be fooled, nearly all politicians were lawyers and any lawyer can take 15% of any number, no mater what grades they earned in math!

Regarding the "animosity" towards service members; In general a portion of any local population (many of whom may be x-military) may resent any persons arriving in any town and acting in very poor form, what ever their origin... If you take it personally, then identify yourself by your positive behavior and you will likely gravitate to a group of folks who resent poor behavior: if you can’t, then move. This should be a no-brainer for anyone in a uniform and those with self confidence.

I want absolutely nothing from you. I am not on any kind of pity party either. I simply have lived in areas where the military is actually appreciated where as here it really isn't. I'm glad you didn't have to deal with that back when you were in the service. I could care less about military discounts or anything else for that matter. Please tell me where I mentioned any of that in my post.

I doubt the ships will move to Florida-to much money. I do agree if they do, take some jets too!!! As far as the comment from the Navy Wife, what does she want from us?? When I was in the Navy, we lived among the citizens and never felt like we were treated badly. Some wives complain they want more discounts at stores, among other things (that I don’t understand). They complain about income, and feel they are owed something. The fact is you are being treated very well and need to stop complaining. Everyone is there when a ship comes back to port or leaves-its a big event-on the news even before this war started. I think navy families are treated well, and should feel welcomed. As far as jets-well being lied to by the Navy/city it does bother some citizens living here. Nothing against Navy families, it’s not like someone is throwing rocks at you. So stop feeling sorry for yourself, no pity party needed.

I agree with Mike. We can't afford it! We have higher priorities for our money than spending 500 mil to move a carrier when we already have a port capable of supporting it.
On the other hand, we should keep Mayport open. We can't have the whole East Coast Navy in Norfolk. All it takes is for 1 terrorist with some SCUBA gear and a bomb to hit the HRBT and bottle up every ship we have.

Having operated out of both Norfolk and Mayport on carriers, there is no reason to spend a half a billion dollars to upgrade Mayport. It's a waste of taxpayer dollars. Mayport should be used by supporting vessels and cruiser/destroyers and even the coast guard. It's not worth the money to upgrade Mayport.
Norfolk Naval Station has the adjacent supply center and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for repairs. Plus AIRLANT the type commander is a half mile from the carrier piers. In addition, Newport News Shipbuilding is right around the corner. I also noticed a significant drop in maint. being done on vessels so far from the type commanders hq. Norfolk based vessels were much better maintained in my opinion. Keep politics out of it - does this country have a spare half a billion dollars - I think not!

The title of her post clearly states Navy wife in it, so maybe you need to actually read before getting on your high horse.

It was a blanket statement meant to imply that if there were a threat somewhere near florida it would be easier to deploy from there than to wait the 2-3 days it could take to get there from here. I think you need to ease up and do a little thinking before you post. Second, I have been military here since transferred from IL in 89 and this area is starting to look a lot like North Chicago back in the day when they went so far as to place signs with "Sailors and dogs keep off the grass." on their lawns. While this area is not yet blatently hostile, it is fast becomming just that. And did we not learn a thing from Pearl Harbor? Aren't terrorists itching for a nuke? What if they do it here, right now? All carriers on east coast destroyed in one shot? That is stupid planning.

Once again the politicians are saying we don't need to disperse the Fleet because the Cold War is over and there is no threat. There was no threat before Dec 7, 1941 either. Considering Sen. Webb was a former Sec. of the Navy, I would have thought better of him. It's one thing to fight for jobs and Government money, but at sometime you have to look at the big picture of National Security and what is best for the Country. I don't mind the jet noise, but I prefer not to have all my eggs in one basket (or carriers in one port).

I am a 15yr Navy Sailor, who has been stationed in Hampton Roads for 10 of my 15 years, I hope that is enough for you to allow me to express my opinion on this matter. The threat that is closer to Mayport would be that little place known as CUBA!! If you had a clue about history you might remember that Cuba is a communist country backed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Remember the Cuban Missle Crisis? Do I fear a Cuban Attack...no. However, the point being is that you don't know what your threats are all the time or where they will come from, which is why you would want a diverse fleet. Let's not forget Pearl Harbor either. You don't want your entire fleet in one spot acting as a big target for a terrorist attack. As far as treatment of the military in this area, I would also have to agree with Amy, the overall attitude to the military in Hampton Roads is not friendly. Businesses and police target military and take advantage of our job security and steady paychecks. Apartments charge higher "damage" fees to military to cover thier "losses" when someone leaves on the military clause.

There will be naysayers where ever you go. I for one like the Navy here, & all that comes with it..In fact, I would like the Navy to send anything else that's still in Mayport, to Hampton Roads & close that now practically useless base there. Sailors, you may walk on my grass, and fly the airspace over my house, without complaint from me. Norfolk is a Navy Town..Jacksonville is just an interesting city to watch when Cops comes on TV.

I live right here in hampton roads and have for more years than I care to count. I was a daughter of a service member and have been a wife fore nearly 8 years. Having lived in this area as long as I have, I can tell you that I have heard first hand how much "better" the area would be without the military being here. How the military ruined this area. As for the "threat". If you will notice I did not specify any particular threat, I simply pointed out that from a strategic point, the military is better off having at least one strike group down there to be able to respond to a POSSIBLE threat. As I pointed out, it will cost a bit. I do not require an education in either of the three things you mentioned but clearly you require an education in comprehension and need to stop taking things out of context and trying to create something out of nothing. If you have not been able to witness the animosity this area holds for the military I suggest you open your eyes.

...is homesick and she's the one who dosent want to be here. You never will have friends if that the way you feel. Maybe you should not have married a military man and stayed home.

I couldnt agree with you less AMY. As a former member of the US Navy Special Warfare community I always felt that Tidewater was a welcoming location.

What is it that you are looking for? You sound like a typical Navy wife. Woe is me. What have YOU done for this area? Being in the Military is tough on both spouses.

For the life of me I dont understand why people who serve, and thier spouses, think they are owed more then thier contract stipulates.

What are you talking about? Clear up a few things for us. What threat is Mayport closer to? What gives you the impression there is general animosity toward the military? What planet are you on? Obviously, you're either very junior military or a spouse/dependent, who is not very attuned to how the military (particularly the Navy) really operates, its' stategy or budget considerations. You need more education in all three.

Given how little warmth we *Navy families and personnel* receive from this area, I am willing to bet there will be other areas in this country who would be happy to have us. People want Oceana closed due to jet noise, others want us gone because supposedly we are responsible for all the bad driving. Then there are others who just plain don't like the military. You have others who feel the area would be better off without the military.

I believe this might be a viable option. Perhaps it is time to think about shifting the navy to an area they will be more welcome. Sure it'll be a great expense, but if others are to be believed, *and they're crazy to think the way they do* the Navy moving from this area won't tank the economy here. It'll cost a bit more, but it's better to have a bit of strength down in Florida where an entire battle group could easily respond to a threat closer to them rather than having to wait the extra few days for a group to deploy from here. Threats can occur anywhere, so it's nice to have a back up plan.

If they want a carrier they better take some jets! Take some good with the bad or leave it be.

jp- I guess it depends on what day of the week it is. And who is up this election cycle.

How many times have we gone through this exercise? Disperse the fleet for strategic reasons. Consolidate the fleet for economic reasons. Put ships in Newport, Charleston, Texas, and Mayport. Bring them all back to Norfolk. What's it going to be THIS time?