Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) released the following statement in response to the Navy’s announced homeport change of the USS Mississippi (SSN 782) from Groton, Connecticut to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
“I am encouraged by the Navy’s announcement that the USS Mississippi will change its homeport to Pearl Harbor in July 2014,” Hanabusa said. “This change follows the previously announced intention by the Navy to move 60% of its fleet to the Pacific, and ensures that Hawaii will continue to play a key role in our national rebalance to the Asia Pacific region. This change, along with the planned move to Hawaii of the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) and USS Preble (DDG 51) will put the number of ships homeported here at 31 by mid 2014.”
The Navy announced the USS Mississippi homeport change on January 13, saying that it will bring with it an additional 132 billets and over $10 million of funded positions to Hawaii. On January 7, the Navy announced the USS John Paul Jones will swap homeports with USS Lake Erie this summer. USS Preble will also leave San Diego for Hawaii this summer. The Navy has said that Pearl Harbor will reach 33 homeported hulls during peak times.
“The ship repair industrial base in Hawaii remains integral to the Navy’s long term maintenance and modernization strategy; an extra hull will provide job opportunities and added funding for our economy . I remain committed to maximizing the resources directed to Hawaii, and will continue to work on this issue through the House Armed Services Committee.” ” Hanabusa said.