SEN COLLINS MEETS WITH CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS NOMINEE, DISCUSSES DD(X) PROGRAM, BRAC

WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Susan Collins, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, met today on Capitol Hill with Admiral Michael G. Mullen, the Department of Defense's nominee to be the next Chief of Naval Operations. During the meeting, Senator Collins expressed her opposition to the Navy's proposed "one shipyard" strategy and the importance of the DD(X) program to our nation's security. She also reiterated the value of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, and the Brunswick Naval Air Station to our military.

In her discussion with Admiral Mullen about the DD(X) program, Senator Collins, who has been a vocal opponent of the "one shipyard" acquisition strategy that would allow the Department of Defense to award the DD(X) project to one shipyard, said that this strategy would be the "wrong direction for the Navy." She said that such a policy would jeopardize the skilled workforce required to implement and maintain the program. "The skills of the employees at shipyards like Bath Iron Works cannot be replaced once they are gone," said Senator Collins.

She also stressed the importance of the DD(X) program to meet the military's stated requirements. Agreeing with Senator Collins, Admiral Mullen called the DD(X) destroyer an "important ship" and "vital to the future" of the US Navy.

In her discussion with Admiral Mullen regarding the upcoming round of base realignment and closures (BRAC), Senator Collins pointed out the military and strategic advantages of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Brunswick Naval Air Station. "These military installations cannot be reconstituted once closed," said Senator Collins.

The Senator explained that P-3 aircraft, which are based at BNAS, have diversified their post-Cold War roles and have assisted in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and tsunami relief missions. BNAS will also be vital to future missions in homeland defense and maritime interdiction operations. Brunswick Naval Air Station is the only military facility capable of providing aerial surveillance and interdiction on the U.S. northeast coast and maritime approaches.

She raised the invaluable capability of Portsmouth's nuclear-capable shipyard and the value of both installations' geographical location. Portsmouth provides essential and irreplaceable services and manpower for our nation's defense needs. It is the only naval shipyard with a full spectrum of nuclear and diesel submarine maintenance experience, including reactor servicing, overhaul, modernization, testing and other emergency repair.

Admiral Mullen's nomination is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee next week.

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