January 14, 2009

Martinez: Mayport Designated As Future Homeport of Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter has signed the document designating Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport as a homeport for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

"For more than 60 years, the Navy has seen rich strategic benefits in homeporting aircraft carriers at Mayport. Secretary Winter's action underscores our strategic importance and the critical nature of having more than one aircraft carrier homeport on the East Coast," said Senator Martinez, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. "The Navy's recognition of Mayport's role directly benefits our national security."

In November 2008, the Navy announced its "preferred alternative" is to homeport a single nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) at NAVSTA Mayport. The Navy determined that 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.

"Our next step, as a delegation, is to secure the resources necessary to upgrade Mayport to accommodate a nuclear carrier. Improvements include dredging, infrastructure and wharf improvements, and construction of CVN nuclear propulsion plant maintenance facilities," said Martinez. "I've requested the funding for these project be included in the FY 2010 federal budget. National security demands we move this project forward quickly."

The federal budget is schedule to be delivered to Congress in early February.

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