Gov reiterates support for Va. military

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gov. Bob McDonnell is reiterating his support of the military presence in Virginia.

McDonnell sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus on Wednesday. He's thanking military personnel for their "demonstrated excellence and professionalism" in responding to a Navy fighter jet crashed into their apartment complex in Virginia Beach earlier this month.

The F/A-18D Hornet crashed April 6 just after taking off from Naval Air Station Oceana. No one was killed, but dozens of apartments were damaged or destroyed by the impact or fire from the crash.

McDonnell told Mabus that Virginia and the city will continue to welcome the Navy as a "good neighbor." He also said the state remains committed to assisting Virginia Beach with addressing encroachment issues around the Naval base.