Executive Correspondence – Package from FLA Gov. Jeb Bush, Representative Ander Crenshaw, and Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton Page: 3 of 13
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DCN 3312
Executive Correspondence
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me the Secretary of the Navy unequivocally stated the Navy's intention to "accelerate the
replacement of the KENNEDY at Mayport with a nuclear carrier." Given the Navy's plan to
reduce the carrier fleet, all active aircraft carriers will be nuclear within three to five years.
Naval Station Mayport is a carrier base, has long been a carrier base and, consistent with Navy
plans and the prudent reduction of strategic risk, should have the necessary facilities
improvements to accommodate homeporting a nuclear carrier as soon as possible. The
Commission should interview the Chief of Naval Operations in this regard.
We are convinced that this matter of immediate and long-term strategic risk in our
carrier stationing is clearly within the responsibility and authority of the BRAC Commission's
consideration and action. As mentioned, the reduction of the nation's carrier fleet was based on
a budget decrement against the Navy late last year by the Office of Management and Budget.
This budget action was taken at the tail end of the BRAC analytical timelines as established by
the Department of Defense. We are informed by the Navy that they did not attempt the late
introduction of the concept of making Naval Station Mayport nuclear capable in the interest of
the integrity of the Department's analysis and BRAC process. This is unfortunate given the
Navy's clear intentions to move a nuclear carrier to Naval Station Mayport and the strategic
urgency to do so sooner rather than later.
We urge the Commission to recommend the stationing of a nuclear aircraft carrier at
Naval Station Mayport. The Commission's support for the Navy's decision to make Naval
Station Mayport nuclear capable in its BRAC recommendations would have two critically
important results. It would provide for the strategically appropriate and earliest possible
dispersal of our carriers on the east coast; and, it would provide the funds necessary for the
facility improvements within the appropriate BRAC account thus relieving some of the
pressure on the Navy budget.
We appreciate the very difficult and important mission that lies ahead of the
Commission. There is much work to do and little time to do it. We assure you that, along with
the State of Florida and its many military communities, we are eager to assist you in any way
to ensure that the 2005 BRAC process provides the best possible defense infrastructure at the
best possible cost and enhances our national security today and for generations to come.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with you through the
days ahead.
Sincerely,Endcl
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Executive Correspondence – Package from FLA Gov. Jeb Bush, Representative Ander Crenshaw, and Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton, letter, June 29, 2005; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc16678/m1/3/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.