Local carrier could move to West Coast

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Navy's top officer said another carrier could be going to the West Coast in the next four years.

Admiral Jonathan Greenert, the Chief of Naval Operations, said the Asia Pacific region is the Navy's number one concern. The proposed move is in response to China's military build-up. Greenert said a carrier would likely be assigned to San Diego by 2016.

Currently, there are five active carriers based in Norfolk. But that number could be down at least one more if the Navy is still committed to moving a carrier to Mayport, Florida.

Retired Admiral Fred Metz said, "For him to say they're going to put a third carrier in San Diego based on the strategy I think the question is what is that strategy and how does that impact us here?"

Metz was once the Director of Carrier Programs. He understands the Navy's concern over the Asian-Pacific Theater, but wonders if the Navy is considering this new strategy when making a decision about Mayport.

"You made a decision in 2008. Now your strategy has changed. I can't envision a carrier going to Mayport still being your strategy. It may be," Metz said.

A carrier move to San Diego would bring the number of carriers based on the West Coast to seven, leaving only four in the Atlantic.

Metz added, "Things bode well for San Diego because if you look at that 60-40 split it's not only, you know, you forget, it's not only a carrier it's a whole battle group that goes along with it. It's the submarines and it's all the support ships and everything that goes along with it..."

While Admiral Metz said Norfolk will take a bigger hit from the new strategy and cuts to defense spending than San Diego, he believes the region will survive.

"I was...heard an Admiral make a comment the other day, "If you look at the piers right now, the way they are today and come back 20-years from now probably, maybe ten years from now, they won't look much different," Metz said.

The Defense Department will release its spending plan next week.

Representative Scott Rigell released a statement on the 2016 West Coast carrier assignment saying:

“ I understand and appreciate the changing security challenges our nation faces – particularly those presented in the Asia-Pacific region. I am eager to learn specifics about the Pentagon’s plans for our carriers when the President releases his budget, which is required by law to be delivered the first week of February, but has been pushed back. Regardless, the uncertainty of this matter has made a stronger case against continuing to make material improvements to Naval Station Mayport.”