The Official Website of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo

Congresswoman Comments on Navy Carrier Homeporting Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—March 30, 2007– Washington, D.C. –

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo this morning spoke with Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter prior to the announcement that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson will be homeported in San Diego, California. The Department of the Navy reached this decision after having evaluated four locations to be the homeport from which an additional aircraft carrier strike group could operate in the Pacific, which was called for by the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR).

“I know that the Navy looked closely at each of the homeport locations, including Guam, and that they weighed the benefits and costs of each option,” Bordallo said. “I strongly support the decision to move an additional carrier to the Pacific, and we know that its presence in the region will benefit Guam.”

The transfer of a sixth aircraft carrier to the Pacific will bolster the Navy’s capabilities and posture in the Pacific, and bode well for the security of Guam and for United States allies in the region. The increased carrier presence in the Pacific also will bring economic benefits for Guam. Carriers will continue to visit Guam in transit to fulfill missions and to take part in training exercises in the Western Pacific. The Navy is planning for the development of a new transient pier capability on Guam in order to facilitate the re-supply of its fleet of aircraft carriers.

“I have no doubt that the strategic location of our island is important for our country. The decision to relocate Marines from Okinawa to Guam is evidence of this fact and brings with it its own set of opportunities for our community,” Bordallo said. “The support our community has shown, and continues to show, for military personnel and families will remain an important factor for the Department of Defense as they make future decisions.”

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Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-1188 or Cathy Gault at 671-477-4272/4

joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or cathy.gault@mail.house.gov

www.house.gov/bordallo

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