More Ships for Mayport ??

More ships for Mayport??

The Navy Times (4 Dec) reported the recently approved Senate authorization bill called for the “Navy to study whether to move more destroyers to Mayport, Fla, to offset the scrapping of frigate, which is winnowing the number of ships homeported there-----“ (The Bill is headed to the conference-committee with the House) Any decision to move destroyers would impact the region, the ships would come the those presently homported at NAVSTA Norfolk.

In 2008 the Navy conducted a Study addressing the Mayport basing issue. The issue was, with the loss of JFK, the projected decommission of FFG’s and the projection of only 8 ships being assigned to Mayport by 2016.  The study evaluated 13 options which included a variety of classes of ships being assigned at the Mayport facility. The Navy decided the best alternative was to move a CVN to Mayport, the move to be completed by 2014.  The option is still the Navy’s preferred option, however, the date for the move is now no sooner than 2019. The Mayport concern, “The gap could force the Mayport ship repair industry into cutbacks and layoffs, a possibility that concerns Senator Nelson (FL)—who is pressing the Navy for some time for a plan.” The Navy Times went on to say the Senators amendment aims to “simply require the Navy to take a look at whether there are any options and what are the feasibility of those options?” There should be NO surprise, once the CVN move date was delayed the Mayport basing issue became very critical. The Mayport base is essential, and the capability of homeporting ships must be maintained. It was apparent to many; the CVN move was not the best of the 13 options evaluated to solve the Mayport basing issue.

The Navy is presently conducting an Environmental Assessment to base Littoral Combat ships at Mayport. I am sure Mayport will be the base for the LCS, will the industrial base be able to survive until the first LCS arrives?

The CVN move to Mayport is still alive, money for the Mayport move is in the same Defense authorization bill.

For those who live around Oceana, you didn’t have to read the Pilot to realize there is going to be increased flying at Oceana. Don’t pay any attention to the maps in the Pilot, the patterns are going to go longer then the maps show. The Navy has No alternative, the increased use of Oceana will last to the summer. Yes there will be more noise.

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