Fla. officials: Do not delay carrier decision

[unhappycamper]

Fla. officials: Do not delay carrier decision
By Ron Word - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 25, 2008 14:52:47 EST

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says Virginia officials are being “a little piggy” for trying to block a decision to move a nuclear aircraft carrier from their state to Mayport Naval Station in Florida.

Nelson, joined by Sen. Mel Martinez and U.S. Reps Corrine Brown and Ander Crenshaw told a Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce committee Tuesday they have a fight on their hands with the Virginia delegation, which says the Navy should not spend the $500 million to make the base at the mouth of the St. Johns River nuclear ready.

“It’s a little piggy of the Norfolk, Va., delegation to say they want to have all five nuclear carriers,” Nelson, D-Fla., said.

Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, commander of the U.S. 4th Fleet at Mayport, said the Navy studied the issue thoroughly before deciding that at least one of the nuclear carriers should be based at Mayport.

“It’s a strategic decision. It had nothing to do with politics. It had nothing to do with the economy,” Kernan said, who noted the West Coast has three carrier bases.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_mayport_carrier_112508/%2e