Today, the Virginia Congressional delegation announced that the U.S. Navy will position its newest carrier, the Gerald Ford, at Naval Station Norfolk for the next several years given its unique capabilities and capacity. This will provide an additional aircraft carrier to the region until 2018 when the USS Lincoln returns to its home port. In addition the Navy has decided to reverse an earlier decision and will maintain Little Creek as a deep water amphibious port and homeport four amphibious ships at Little Creek through 2020. The delegation worked with the Navy to fund critical infrastructure upgrades for Little Creek, including a $30 million electrical grid upgrade in 2012.
“This is tremendously good news for Virginians and for the Navy. Not only will this create thousands of jobs in the region, but Virginia is home to the world’s best shipbuilders and contractors. Aircraft carriers are vital to projecting the country’s strength, and there is no better place to homeport the Gerald Ford than Norfolk,” Sen. Mark Warner said. “I want to commend the delegation, the Navy, and local leaders for this strong partnership that has resulted in securing funds for critical upgrades. I am especially pleased with the decision to maintain Little Creek as an amphibious port. These two important commitments demonstrate the Navy’s confidence in Virginia’s world class ports.”
“Combined with our successful effort last year to restore funding for the refueling and overhaul of the USS George Washington, the Navy’s decision to homeport the USS Gerald Ford in Norfolk is welcome news for Hampton Roads,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, whose advocacy in the Senate Armed Services committee was key to maintaining the Navy’s 11 operational aircraft carrier fleet. “The temporary addition of another carrier will bring thousands of new sailors and their families to the region and our shipyards and shipbuilding industry will benefit greatly from the opportunity to take on more projects in support of our nation’s Naval forces.”
“The Navy’s decision to position the USS Gerald R. Ford at Naval Station Norfolk is great news for Hampton Roads,” said Rep. Bobby Scott. “The Ford will be the pride of the fleet, largely in part due to the talented work of Virginia’s shipbuilders. Our region’s local, state and congressional leadership has worked together on maintaining a strong Navy presence in Hampton Roads and this decision, as well as the decision to maintain Little Creek as a deep water port, is a testament to that collaborative work.”
“This decision by the Navy leverages the unique capabilities of Norfolk, Little Creek, and the Hampton Roads region. I am pleased that Little Creek will be maintained as an amphibious port, and that the USS Gerald R. Ford will be positioned in the region until 2018,” said Rep. Rob Wittman.
“The Navy’s decision to position the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), our nation’s most advanced carrier and the first in its class, in Norfolk is welcomed news. Hampton Roads, which is home to more men and women in uniform than any other region in the country, undeniably leads in defending our nation, and remains the best place for any command to call home,” said Rep. Scott Rigell, who noted that the move will spur economic growth and stimulate short and long-term job creation. “I welcome the Marines and Sailors who will relocate to our region as a result of today’s announcement.”
“We are very glad to learn that the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford will be home ported in Norfolk, home of the U.S. Navy. The maintenance of all amphibious assault ships at Little Creek is welcome news,” said Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim. “The long-standing defense policy of stationing five nuclear aircraft carriers in the Atlantic at Norfolk is also confirmed. We owe a great debt of gratitude to our congressional delegation, especially Senator Mark Warner for his effort in this regard. All and all a signature day for Norfolk and the Navy.”
“Naval forces in this region have had a significant role in every major conflict since the American Revolutionary, and I am delighted that Virginia Beach and Coastal Virginia are gaining new military assets,” said Virginia Beach Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr. “We’ve forged a great relationship over our history with the U.S. Navy – one of mutual support and respect. As mayor, I will continue to work to ensure that our military presence continues to prosper and grow.”
This news comes as the result of years of efforts to invest in these important facilities.
In October 2011, the Virginia delegation wrote a letter to Secretary of the Navy Raymond Mabus, urging him to use emergency powers to fix the Little Creek electrical grid. The following month, Secretary Mabus agreed to use emergency military construction authority to accelerate the upgrade at Little Creek.
Those efforts and a strong partnership with Virginia port advocates resulted in extensive repairs to Little Creek’s electrical grid and increased energy infrastructure for the ship piers.
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