COLUMNS

The Case for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

As Members of the joint New Hampshire-Maine Congressional Delegation representing the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, we want to share our views on the importance and value of the Shipyard, as we work to defend the facility during the upcoming base closure process.

A new Base Closure and Realignment Commission is scheduled to begin operating in 2005. The process is already under way: the Pentagon has established criteria for its review and is soliciting data from facilities. By May 2005, the Secretary of Defense will submit his proposed list of bases to be closed. The Commission will be appointed in March 2005 and will review and likely modify the list. By November 2005, the President will send the final list to Congress, which will then vote on the entire package, with no ability to change the facilities on the final list.

Unfortunately, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is no stranger to the base closure process. Twice previously the Shipyard was added to the closure list, only to be saved when the joint Congressional Delegation and the community were able to focus the Commission on the merits of the Shipyard. We recognize the strong role that the Shipyard plays in our national security. Yet, given the severity of the base closure process, it is crucial that we widely promote the importance of protecting the Shipyard and keeping it fully operational. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has indicated his desire to close 25 percent of all bases in this one round, as many as were closed in the previous four rounds combined.

We believe a very strong case can be made for preserving the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as an integral part of transforming the Department of Defense and as an essential asset for national and homeland security. We see the following points as the Shipyard’s strengths:

• America’s nuclear submarine maintenance expert: Portsmouth’s workforce is highly skilled with unique talents that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Portsmouth is the only Naval Shipyard with the full spectrum of submarine maintenance experience. It has completed 74 major overhauls on nuclear submarines, significantly more than any other Yard. The Navy recognized this excellence by designating Portsmouth as the lead Shipyard for all Los Angeles Class submarine maintenance.

• Nuclear certified and strategic location: Portsmouth is one of only two nuclear certified public shipyards on the east coast of the U.S., making it an irreplaceable asset. Situated farther north and east than any other Naval ship facility, and with a deep-water port with unobstructed access to the ocean, Portsmouth holds a strategic location for both the Navy and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, Navy and Coast Guard personnel and families have testified to the benefits of living in central New England.

• Top performer in submarine overhaul, public or private: Portsmouth holds the current cost and schedule performance records for Los Angeles Class submarine maintenance. In 2003, it delivered the USS ALBUQUERQUE back to the Navy a month early with a cost savings of $16 million. In 2002, it delivered the USS ALEXANDRIA six weeks faster than any other shipyard performed on any other submarine. Portsmouth has saved the Navy several million dollars and returned boats to the fleet service more quickly to serve our servicemen and women in the war on terrorism.

• Demonstrated ability to transform: The Shipyard motto, “From Sails to Atoms,” highlights its ability to realign to new missions for more than 200 years. Portsmouth is already focused on the Pentagon’s “transformation” efforts in the areas of people, facilities, processes, and joint service support. It continues to re-engineer its facilities into highly-efficient workspaces, with an innovative and highly-skilled workforce. The Shipyard has become a joint use facility through the homeporting of three Coast Guard Cutters, proving its value for the Department of Homeland Security. Such transformation initiatives have improved performance and reduced overhead costs.

• Leadership in public-private partnership: Portsmouth’s management and workforce instruct other public and private shipyards (such as Electric Boat in Connecticut and Newport News in Virginia) in the planning and execution of submarine overhauls. The Shipyard is exporting its expertise to defense contractors and small businesses, and partnering with academic institutions.

• Forward focused on national defense priorities: Portsmouth is embracing change that comes with advanced technology and new missions, such as life-cycle maintenance planning for the next class of attack submarines. The Shipyard is committed to delivering the best value in industrial and engineering support for joint service applications and world-wide Navy support.

As Members of the Joint Delegation, we are committed to working tirelessly in defense of the Shipyard, and pledge our continued collaboration with the local communities to make the case for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

JUDD GREGG, United States Senator (New Hampshire)
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, United States Senator (Maine)
SUSAN M. COLLINS, United States Senator (Maine)
JOHN E. SUNUNU, United States Senator (New Hampshire)
CHARLES F. BASS, United States Representative (NH-02)
THOMAS H. ALLEN, United States Representative (ME-01)
JEB BRADLEY, United States Representative (NH-01)
MICHAEL H. MICHAUD, United States Representative (ME-02)