The Virginian-Pilot
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WASHINGTON
Top members of the Obama administration's new team for the Pentagon promised Thursday to take a fresh look at Navy plans to relocate an aircraft carrier from Norfolk to Mayport Naval Station in Florida.
William J. Lynn III, the president-elect's nominee to be deputy secretary of defense, and Michelle Flournoy, undersecretary-designate for policy, told U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., that the administration will look carefully at all the military service budgets as part of a quadrennial review that begins every presidency.
"This is a major budget item, and we'll commit to you that we will review it," Lynn said of the Mayport plan. "We will consult with you and Congress about where we think we need to go on this program."
Lynn and Flournoy made their comments during a confirmation hearing conducted by the Senate Armed Services Committee. Both are expected to win approval from the committee and the full Senate.
The Navy formally announced Wednesday that it wants to invest more than $600 million to upgrade facilities at Mayport to accommodate a nuclear-powered carrier.
Putting a nuclear carrier in Mayport would reduce the number of flattops based at the Norfolk Naval Base to four, draining an estimated 11,000 jobs and $600 million per year from the Hampton Roads economy.
Webb has urged the committee's chairman, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., to demand that the Navy provide a full explanation of the plan and the thinking behind it. Webb and other members of the Virginia congressional delegation are expected to try to block the Navy from spending any money to implement the decision.
The Virginians have charged that political considerations are behind the Navy plan. The newly commissioned carrier George H.W. Bush is expected to be the one sent to Mayport; its namesake, the 41st president, is the father of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and President George W. Bush.
Dale Eisman, (703) 913-9872, dale.eisman@pilotonline.com
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$600 million for Mayport, $700 BILLION for Bailout
If the major concern about moving an aircraft carrier to Florida, is money,-approximately 600 MILLION,for the different phases of construction, necessary for the carrier to be moved and berthed there, why not apply for some of that 7-8oo BILLION that is being flopped around, and use it for something more "constructive"??---pardon my pun.....
I don't know what the big deal is anyway--carriers come to port there all the time, and personnel transfer from Norfolk to Jacksonville, as needed.
Yes,it sounds a little political.......
Aircraft Carrier to Mayport
It sounds like,the Virginians are worried most,about the monies that would be taken from the state/Hampton Roads/Norfolk area, instead of what is best for our country's defense. We need to have our Naval forces spread around more, on the east coast, in case of any invasion forces from over seas. Our carriers are fast and have far-reaching weaponry, but they can only be in one place at a time. Spread the defense forces, and then worry about "spreading the wealth", later. Look at the far reaching consequences, if we don't.