Virginia and Florida Spar Over Carrier

[unhappycamper]

Virginia and Florida Spar Over Carrier
November 26, 2008
Daily Press, Newport News, Va.

Virginia officials say they are not trying to hoard aircraft carriers, despite a comment from a Florida senator Tuesday that the Old Dominion is being "a little piggy."

The remark from U.S Sen. Bill Nelson, reported by The Associated Press, is the latest salvo in a war of words between the two states over the Navy's decision to base a nuclear aircraft carrier at Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville.

The Navy hasn't specified which carrier it would move, but all four nuclear vessels are based in Norfolk. A fifth, the George H.W. Bush, will be commissioned in January.

An aircraft carrier comes with military and economic muscle.

It means thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to the local economy wherever it is based, which is why Florida has hailed the move and Hampton Roads is opposing it.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/virginia-and-florida-spar-over-carrier.html?col=1186032310810