New CVN Homeport???

[Gamecock]

No. 960-08
November 17, 2008
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Navy Announces Preference To Homeport Aircraft Carrier In Mayport

As part of an environmental impact statement (EIS), the Navy announced today its "preferred alternative" is to homeport a single nuclear powered aircraft carrier (CVN) at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, Fla.

The EIS examined potential consequences of constructing and operating facilities and infrastructure associated with homeporting additional surface ships at NAVSTA Mayport. The EIS evaluated resources in the Mayport area that may be affected by the proposed action, such as air and water quality, biological resources, marine mammals and threatened or endangered species, land use, cultural resources, and socioeconomics. The EIS also accounted for cumulative impacts from other activities in the Mayport area.

After consultation with the public, key individuals and numerous organizations, the Navy considered 275 official comments while assessing 13 EIS alternatives. Ultimately, the Navy concluded that homeporting a CVN at NAVSTA Mayport would increase operational readiness while affording the necessary environmental protections.

The last Navy aircraft carrier to be homeported in Mayport was the conventionally powered USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), which was decommissioned in 2007.

The Navy's preferred alternative involves homeporting one CVN and associated infrastructure modifications. These include dredging, infrastructure and wharf improvements, and construction of CVN nuclear propulsion plant maintenance facilities. Homeporting a CVN at NAVSTA Mayport reduces risk to fleet resources in the event of a natural disaster, manmade calamity, or attack by foreign nations or terrorists. This includes risks to aircraft carriers, industrial support facilities, and the people that operate and maintain these crucial assets.

A Notice of Availability for the Final Environmental Impact Statement will be published to the Federal Register Friday, November 21. The Record of Decision is expected in late December.

Additional information about the EIS for the proposed homeporting of additional surface ships at NAVSTA Mayport is available online at http://www.mayporthomeportingeis.com/

[deltarho]

Poor Nukes...

Have you ever been to the base?  The Navy Exchange in Corfu, Greece was bigger!  I went by the base about 6 years ago; it may have changed --but with the Kennedy due for decommissioning, I doubt it.

Could be a breath of fresh air for the community, but it will take time to catch up.

[Preciousblue1965]

Well i feel that this is a good thing.  It gets one of our carriers out of Norfolk, thus reducing the congestion at that base, plus gives nukes at least one other option for a homeport for the east coast.  If the carrier is the only thing at the base in Mayport, how much of a comissary and exchange do you really need.  I would love to see the base in Charleston open back up personally just to have some choices other than Norfolk, Kings Bay,or Groton.

[JustinHEMI05]

My submarine made a mistake of pulling into Mayport once. I say mistake because one of our shipmates was beatento within an inch of his life for no other reason than being a bubble head. Stay classy Mayport and good luck to anyone that has to go there. Of course, as long as you are not a submariner, you will probably be just fine.

Precious, when I was there, there were a lot of frigates, cruisers and destroyer type ships homeported there. So if they are still there, the CVN won't be the only ship there.

Justin

[Wanna Know Mom]

Are you referring to the USS Bush?  I've been reading about its precommissioning crew.  Is this the same crew that will be aboard when it becomes an active part of the fleet? Also read that it wont be commissioned until Jan 09 (hence the "precommissioning crew" right now?).  Same source also said it would have a smaller specially trained crew....does that affect the Nuke crew, and specificly first duty assignments for those new Nukes just graduating from prototype..... lots more questions, but I will give it a rest for now.......any insight appreciated.  Kathy VPNM

[NukeLDO]

Here's more detail.

Naval Station Mayport preferred alternative selected
After completing a two-year Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and assessing 13 alternatives, the Navy announced its preferred alternative to homeport a single nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport in Florida. The purpose of the Navy's proposed action is to ensure effective support of Fleet operational requirements through efficient use of waterfront and shore side facilities at NAVSTA Mayport. These facilities are adequately supported for training and operations along the East Coast as required by the Fleet Response Plan.
• Homeporting a CVN at NAVSTA Mayport reduces risks to fleet resources in the event of a natural disaster, manmade calamity, or attack by foreign nations or terrorists. This includes risks to aircraft carriers, industrial support facilities, and the people that operate and maintain these crucial assets. The net result is increased operational readiness.
• This preferred alternative, known as alternative #4, also involves dredging, infrastructure and wharf improvements, and construction of CVN nuclear propulsion plant maintenance facilities. No specific aircraft carrier has been identified for homeporting in Mayport. No aircraft carrier will be homeported in Mayport prior to completion of required nuclear maintenance facilities. Military construction projects are not anticipated to be completed prior to 2014.
• The EIS also assessed constructing operational facilities and infrastructure associated with homeporting additional ships at NAVSTA Mayport. The EIS evaluated resources in the Mayport area that may be affected by the proposed action, such as air and water quality, biological resources (such as marine mammals and threatened and endangered species), land use, cultural resources, and socioeconomics. The EIS also accounts for cumulative impacts from other activities in the Mayport area.
• The EIS process included two opportunities for the public to provide input into the Navy's decision making process. The goal was to consistently inform the public and interested stakeholders of the options and issues involved. Ultimately 127 individuals and organizations submitted 275 comments that were considered by the Navy in selecting the Preferred Alternative.

[Gamecock]

Senator vows to oppose Mayport carrier move

By Mark D. Faram - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 20, 2008 16:49:31 EST

A Virginia senator and former secretary of the Navy has vowed to fight the Navy's recent decision to move a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Florida.

"I think the proper thing for this secretary of the Navy to do is to defer the decision to the new administration," Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., told Navy Times on Wednesday. "This is not something to be dropped on their way out the door."

Webb, a former secretary of the Navy in the 1980s, said the Navy's decision to move a carrier to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., does not make sense, given that the service is telling Congress it has $4.6 billion in unfunded requirements and is now announcing it wants to spend $500 million in new construction to make Mayport a nuclear home port — a project Webb says will most likely end up costing more than $1 billion before it is completed in 2014.

"They already say their requirements exceed their available budget, and they have a requirement Navy-wide to improve their existing infrastructure — some of which is in pretty bad shape," he said.

This includes repairs that he said are needed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., where there is a $225 million backlog in repairs.

"There are many places on that base where it's not even safe to walk," Webb said.

The announcement comes as the service prepares to release the final version of its environmental impact study Friday.

The study was initiated when the Navy began to consider future options for the base in advance of the conventional aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy's decommissioning.

The study looked at 13 options that included everything from doing nothing to basing a nuclear carrier and multiple surface ships at the Florida base.

Webb said he was not against the base getting new ships, but the situation, he said, needs more study. He vows he'll bring it up in the next Congress.

Once the report has been released, the secretary of the Navy must wait at least 30 days before making the decision final in a formal decree.

But Webb says that doesn't have to happen right away.

"The timeline is not mandatory," Webb said. "I think we should take another look at the whole mix as there are a lot of things to consider in this situation."

Webb said he and outgoing Sen. John Warner, R-Va. — also a former Navy secretary — were briefed Wednesday by the Navy on the reasoning behind the decision.

"I would have to say that Sen. Warner and I were underwhelmed and very disappointed in the quality of the briefing," Webb said. "We expected for them to come forward with an argument and compelling need, which was just not there."

In the end, he said, the Navy can't do this without the backing of Congress, something Webb says won't come easy.

"There's much to consider here with this situation," he said. "We are not going to have this shoved down our throats."

[withroaj]

Wierd.  A Senator opposed to billions of federal dollars getting "redistributed" out of his state.  Someone should let him know that his state already brings in a ton of federal money to support military infrastructure and services; and that if we could just spread that wealth around we'd all benefit from it.  He might want to take a look at his own Senatorial campaign...

Aw, shucks.  I'll stop now.  Back to the GM: PolySci section (just 10 cents a day for the most engaging political discussions of our time ) with my rambling.

[rlbinc]

Norfolk has accumulated way too many Aircraft Carriers in one spot.
I am a Plank Owner of USS CARL VINSON. When that ship was built, it was only the tird Nimitz Class ship, and the Navy insisted then that the three ships maintain substantial physical separation to avoid losing too many assets in one confrontation.

There was one rendezvous in the Virginia Capes for photographic session - when USS NIMITZ, USS EISENHOWER, and USS CARL VINSON all steamed together for about 30 minutes. It wasn't announced, and it wasn't repeated. Remember this was in the early 1980s, and the Cold War was still going on.

For a fact, the area around Norfolk Naval Base has all East coast CVNs, and is in close proximity to Langley Air Force Base and many other military assets. These need to be spread out.

Mayport is a great idea.

[NukeLDO]

The Hill
Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Nuclear Carrier Rift Expected To Spark Battle Between Dems

By Roxana Tiron

The Navy's announcement this week that it prefers stationing a nuclear aircraft carrier in Florida will ignite a bitter congressional battle over next year's defense budget.

The fight will go beyond pitting the Florida delegation against the Virginia delegation. It will test the newly expanded Democratic majority in both chambers and the White House as both states press President-elect Barack Obama to influence the decision, which could bring billions of dollars and jobs to the winner.

Whichever way the decision goes could have a lasting impact, with some freshman members of Congress likely to secure their jobs based on which state gets the ship.

The secretary of the Navy will make a final decision by the end of December on whether to send a nuclear carrier to the Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Fla. But the secretary will only determine the environmental impact of permanently stationing a carrier there. Funding that move — at least $500 million — will fall on Obama's Pentagon and Congress.

The Navy signaled Monday in an announcement that it wants the newest carrier named after former President George H.W. Bush in Florida based on the results of the environmental impact study.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush (R) made the bold pitch to take the newest carrier named after his father, President George H.W. Bush, to Florida at the ship's 2006 christening at Newport News, Va. Northrop Grumman built the carrier there. Virginians have feared that the weight of the former first family could be the difference in a bidding war for the newest nuclear-powered carrier.

The Bush carrier will be commissioned on Jan. 10, 2009, a mere 10 days before President George W. Bush, the namesake's other well-known son, leaves the White House.

Virginia is fighting to hang on to as many carriers as possible at the Norfolk Naval Station. The carriers represent an economic lifeline for the Hampton Roads region, but moving one could revive the Jacksonville ship repair industry and economy.

As the Florida delegation rejoiced at the Navy's announcement on Monday foreshadowing its decision, the Virginia delegation was disappointed.

The Virginia House delegation plans to raise the issue in open letters to Obama and his next secretary of Defense, stressing the Pentagon's and the Navy's budget pressures, which would make the cost of any carrier move to Florida unreasonable. On Wednesday they already sent a letter to Obama.

The fight over nuclear carriers will pit several defense authorizers against each other: Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) will go against Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), a veteran authorizer, and Mel Martinez (R-Fla.).

The fight will also test Virginia's newest senator, former Gov. Mark Warner (D), and will likely determine the fate of newly elected Democratic Rep. Glenn Nye (Va.), whose district will feel the absence of moving the carrier to Florida.

Nye is expected to secure a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, according to sources. There he will closely work with Reps. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), a senior member of the committee and an outspoken critic of moving nuclear carriers to Florida, and Rob Wittman (R-Va.).

Florida could have Reps. Jeff Miller (R) and Kendrick Meek (D) as advocates on the committee, but the Sunshine State tips the scales in the House Appropriations Committee with Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R), who represents Jacksonville, and Rep. Bill Young (R), the most senior and powerful Republican on the Defense panel. Florida and Virginia have no representation on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Virginia is also counting on Gov. Tim Kaine (D), a friend and political ally of Obama's. Virginia community leaders are keeping all options on the table, including a lawsuit challenging the Navy's process and decision.

Norfolk is the only East Coast base ready to accommodate the new carrier without a large upgrade.

Norfolk lost one of its longtime carriers — the USS George Washington — which is changing homeports to Yokosuka, Japan, as the nation's only carrier permanently stationed overseas. Virginians calculate that the economic activity related to one carrier can reach $1 billion a year. Norfolk is now home to four aircraft carriers.

Currently, all the fighter jets that would go on the carriers based on the East Coast are housed at the Oceana Master Jet base near Norfolk.

Mayport was home to the conventionally powered John F. Kennedy carrier until it was decommissioned last March. To house a nuclear-powered carrier, the base would need special maintenance facilities, road improvements and dredging. All that work will cost at least $500 million and could take until 2014 to be completed.

Mayport will lose other ships, too. Ten frigates will be decommissioned by 2014, and the number of sailors will go down from 13,300 to less than 9,300.

Unless a carrier or other ships are added, the ship repair industry around the area will deteriorate. Nelson and the Florida delegation have argued that having too many carriers in one port could create a strategic target for an enemy of the U.S. The Navy also justified its preference to move a carrier to Mayport partly on its desire to disperse the fleet in case of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Mayport was also designated the home of the 4th Fleet with responsibility over the Southern Hemisphere. That designation could bolster not only Mayport's military role, but also its chances of getting a nuclear-powered carrier.

The Virginia delegation in the House was successful in passing legislation in the 2009 defense authorization bill that would have delayed the Navy secretary's decision on Mayport. The legislation required the secretary to submit a report to Congress on the socioeconomic impact of a move to Mayport.

That legislation was scuttled last minute in conference negotiations with the Senate, where senior lawmakers did not want to interfere with the process of the Navy's environmental study.

[NukeLDO]

Update: 

• The Navy's Record of Decision (ROD) to homeport a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Naval Station Mayport and to complete associated infrastructure modifications provides the advantages of fleet dispersal and survivability without impacting operational availability.
o No specific aircraft carrier will be identified until approximately one year prior to the ship's transfer. The recently-released ROD does not evaluate or determine the specific ships to be assigned to Mayport. Completion of nuclear maintenance facilities is required prior to arrival of an aircraft carrier. Military Construction (MILCON) projects are not anticipated to be completed prior to 2014.