Statement from Gov. Kaine

RICHMOND, Va. - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today issued the following statement on the Navy's intention to pursue moving a nuclear aircraft carrier from Hampton Roads to Naval Station Mayport:

I note with disappointment the news today regarding the Secretary of the Navy's preferred alternative for carrier homeporting. While the selected alternative moves one carrier and no additional support ships to Mayport, any such action, if approved and funded by Congress, would incur substantial costs for what appears to be a limited operational advantage. Considering the impacts of the financial crisis on federal, state, and local budgets, we question the wisdom and timing of an option that will cost the Navy an incredible amount of money and not significantly improve the nations security.

Clearly the Navy and the nations needs are best served by maintaining Hampton Roads as the east Coast carrier base, co-located with the east Coast Master Jet Base at Oceana.

Virginia will continue to offer substantive information in support of this fact during the comment period on the environmental impact statement.

I will continue to work closely with Virginias Congressional delegation to keep all of Hampton Roads fleet in Virginia.