January 19, 2009

Strategic Dispersal is a Priority
By Mel Martinez, Bill Nelson, Saxby Chambliss, Johnny Isakson, Ander Crenshaw and Jack Kingston
(As published by the Navy Times)

Strategic dispersal has been key to the tactical positioning of our naval assets for over 150 years. We are pleased that the Navy is proceeding with the overdue decision to disperse our Atlantic carrier fleet - the quintessential symbol of American power.

No matter what lens you use to view potential national security threats on the horizon, our Navy is going to continue to play a critical role. Strategic dispersal helps the Navy meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Our nation must recognize the myriad threats that confront us daily, and position our assets accordingly. The ability to be prepared to meet threats whenever and wherever they emerge, with enough flexibility to ready and dispatch naval assets without hesitation is paramount. U.S. Naval leadership is on the cusp of advancing that objective by designating Naval Station Mayport as a homeport and maintenance facility for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This decision is necessary to prudently protect our Navy’s ability to project force from the East Coast and service the carrier fleet in the event of a catastrophe at another nuclear capable homeport or aboard a ship closest to Mayport. We support the fleet dispersal decision whole-heartedly because it is in the best interests of our national security.

Sixty-seven years ago, more than 2,400 brave men and women in uniform were tragically killed and another 1,200 were wounded in the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. Over 21 Pacific Fleet ships were destroyed along with 75 percent of their aircraft. Following the attacks, a presidential commission found the admiral in charge had been guilty of “dereliction of duty” and “errors of judgment.” He was demoted and soon retired from service. Pearl Harbor taught the U.S. an important lesson: Assets and resources should not be concentrated in one place.

Updating Mayport, the home to conventional aircraft carriers for more than 50 years, to nuclear status is an important element of strategic dispersal. The Pacific fleet currently has three nuclear carrier homeports and maintenance facilities; the Atlantic Fleet has only one. Last year, all five of the East Coast’s nuclear aircraft carriers were in port simultaneously for 35 days. Two or more carriers were in port or undergoing routine maintenance in the sole East Coast facility 81 percent of the time. If, Heaven forbid, tragedy should strike or the single East Coast facility was inoperative for any length of time, the impact on the Atlantic Fleet’s ability to meet our national security needs would be harmed immensely.

For these reasons we applaud the Navy’s decision to upgrade Mayport as soon as possible. The Navy’s top leaders understand and have testified numerous times before Congress that locating a second nuclear homeport and maintenance facility on the East Coast is vital to our overall national security strategy. We look forward to working with the new president and Congress to help the Navy meet this important objective.

Sens. Mel Martinez (R-FL), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) are members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) is a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Reps. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Jack Kingston (R-GA) are members of the House Appropriations Committee.