Senators Webb, Warner: GAO Report Highlights Mayport's Inability to Maintain Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier

Statement

Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner released the following statement after careful review of the latest report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) addressing the capability of Mayport Naval Station to receive nuclear-powered aircraft carrier currently homported in Norfolk, Virginia.

"The GAO report clearly states that while private ship-repair yards supporting Naval Station Mayport can perform basic maintenance procedures such as painting, welding, and repairs to some ship systems, they are incapable of performing the full cycle of major maintenance required to service a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The report also notes that Mayport would have to rely on a "transient, temporary ship repair workforce.'

"The Navy's facilities in Norfolk have the proven ability to support a homeported nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with existing infrastructure and a skilled workforce. In addition, it remains unclear how much this strategically questionable homeporting scheme will cost.

"During this time of extreme fiscal challenge, the United States must eliminate waste and spend its resources wisely to achieve the greatest return on every defense dollar. It is fiscally irresponsible for the Navy to build redundant nuclear-support facilities to homeport an aircraft carrier in Mayport when the Navy has higher spending priorities--including shipbuilding, aircraft procurement, and the restoration of existing shore facilities now facing a $39.2 billion backlog in required modernization."

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