Return of the U.S.S. Cole
Over the last several years terrorists linked to Osama bin Laden, a radical Saudi multimillionaire, have attacked American military barracks, warships, embassies, and the World Trade Center (in 1993). It was on October 12th last year that the U.S.S. Cole (DDG 67) was damaged in a terrorist attack in Aden, Yemen, killing 17 U.S. sailors.
On September 14th, the Cole moved closer to returning to service and was re-launched for final outfitting. Having completed the structural replacements and repairs, U.S. shipbuilders continue to work vigorously to return this ship, on schedule, to the U.S. Navy by April 2002.
In light of the recent acts of war in Washington and New York, maintaining our first line of defense and forward presence provided by the U.S. Navy should be apparent to all Americans. While our deepest sympathy goes out to all Americans who have suffered directly and indirectly by these acts of terror, both abroad and here at home, the timely return of the Cole will serve as just one reminder to America’s enemies that our resolve will not waiver. We will rebuild and persevere.
USS COLE (DDG 67) floats free from the floating drydock at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi
Senators Collins and Landrieu Lead Charge for Rebuilding U.S. Naval Forces
Fifty-eight Members of Congress joined Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), in urging President Bush to make sure that the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review reflects the fundamental precept of command of the seas. The bicameral, bipartisan letter to the President dated August 17th stated, “The dynamic nature of the international security environment highlights the value of expeditionary and sovereign naval forces -- free to operate when and where needed, without restriction ...The presence, reach, immediate response capability, and flexibility of naval forces are central to the success of a National Military Strategy.” These members stated, “Maintaining a Navy of the size and capability to command the seas and to provide timely crisis response requires a sustained investment. Combat-capable naval force structure has declined 44% since 1990, from 570 ships to 316 ships. The number of ships in our fleet is at its lowest since 1933, and currently, one-third of our ships are forward deployed every day.” Furthermore, these elected leaders reminded the President that the unified Commanders-in-Chief “have stressed to Congress time and time again, the need for no fewer than 360-ships, comprised of 15 aircraft carrier battle groups and corresponding amphibious ready groups to effectively perform their missions.”
Senators Trent Lott (R-MS), Bob Smith (R-NH), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Ted Stevens (R-AK), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Max Cleland (D-GA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), John Breaux (D-LA), Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO) joined Senators Collins and Landrieu in expressing their concerns to our Commander-in-Chief.
Representatives in support of a strong Navy are: Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), James Langevin (D-RI), Tom Allen (D-ME), John Baldacci (D-ME), Ronnie Shows (D-MS), Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ), Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA), Robert Underwood (D-GU), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Jim Turner (D-TX), Robert Brady (D-PA), James Maloney (D-CT), Gene Taylor (D-MS), Robert Borski (D-PA), Sonny Callahan (R-AL), Ed Schrock (R-VA), David Vitter (R-LA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Ric Keller (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Joe Scarborough (R-FL), Peter Visclosky (D-IN), John Mica (R-FL), Corrine Brown (D-FL), Bob Filner (D-CA), Robert Scott (D-VA), Virgil Goode Jr. (I-VA), Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), John B. Larson (D-CT), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), William Jefferson (D-LA), Charles “Chip” Pickering (R-MS), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS), Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Walter B. Jones (R-NC), Rob Simmons (R-CT), and Susan Davis (D-CA).
Mark Your Calendar!
The ASA Regulatory Issues Conference will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott hotel in Crystal City, Virginia on October 25,2001. Guest speakers include Ms. Deidre Lee, DOD Director of Procurement Policy; Captain Michael Jaggard, Acting Director for Navy Acquisition and Business Management; Mr. Dave J. Kling, Deputy Director, EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics; Mr. John Henshaw, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health; Mr. Andrew Siss, Counselor to the Secretary of Labor; Ms. Marte Kent, Director, OSHA Safety Standards Programs; and Mr. Ande Abbott, Assistant to the President and Director of Legislation And Shipbuilders & Marine Division of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers.
Armed Services Committees Report
National Defense Authorization Bills
The House Armed Services Committee reported H.R. 2586, on August 2, 2001, and the Senate Armed Services Committee reported S. 1416, on September 12, 2001. Both bills closely mirror the President’s budget request for naval shipbuilding.
The major differences in the bills relate to the funding levels authorized for converting Trident nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) into Tomahawk cruise missile submarines (SSGN), and prior year shipbuilding bills. The President’s budget request included a proposal to retain and convert two of the four SSBN submarines that the Department of Defense planned to deactivate and scrap into cruise missile carrying submarines. The House bill increased the President's request of $86.4 million for SSGN conversion by $51 million and the Senate bill increased the amount by $178 million. Both increases were to provide the necessary funding to enable the Navy to convert all four ballistic missile submarines. Regarding prior year shipbuilding bills, the House cut $75 million from the President’s request while the Senate authorized full funding of the President’s request of $800 million.
Both H.R. 2586 and S. 1416 authorize 5 and 1/7th new ships, marking the (9) ninth year in a row that the Navy’s shipbuilding account provides for only six-ships a year, on average — well below the 10-ships a year necessary to sustain the minimum force level of 300-ships identified as the requirement in the 1997 Quadrennial Defense Review. The committees specifically authorized, three (3) DDG-51 destroyers, one (1) SSN-774 attack submarine, one (1) T-AKE support ship, and 1/7th of an LHD-8 amphibious assault ship. Navy officials have long maintained that if the shipbuilding trends of the last nine years remain unchanged, the Navy will shrink to a 180-ship fleet.
Senate Provides $100 Million
for Title XI in FY2002
On September 13, 2001, the Senate passed H.R.2500, the Commerce, Justice, and State Appropriations Act for FY2002. The Senate passed version of the bill includes $100 million for the Maritime Administration’s Title XI Ship Loan Guarantee Program. The House passed version of the bill provided $30 million for Title XI.
The Title XI program has been vital to sustaining the highly skilled workforce of the defense shipbuilding industrial base comprised of 9,080 companies, employing 879,014 Americans across 47 states. The low level of naval ship construction over the last nine years has made commercial orders vital to sustaining defense companies and the skill base essential to meeting Americas security. The Title XI program has made the construction of 10 double hulled oil tankers, two 1,900-passenger cruise ships, and other vessel construction projects possible. These commercial orders have also contributed significantly to reducing the cost of naval ships.
The American Shipbuilding Association urges the House to support the Senate funding level of $100 million in Conference for this important national security support program.
Congressman Floyd Spence, 1928-2001
America suffered another loss on August 16, 2001, when Congressman Floyd Spence (R-SC) passed away. Congressman Spence was a long serving member of the House Armed Services Sea Power Subcommittee, where he demonstrated his unwavering support for a strong Navy and the defense shipbuilding industrial base -- a tradition he continued when he became Chairman in the One Hundred Fourth Congress. Chairman Spence leaves behind a proud legacy of accomplishments and service on behalf of the nation. Our sympathy goes out to his family and his staff during this difficult time.
Industry News
Cruise Ship Designer Hails Ingalls Shipbuilding Process
The managing director of one of Europe’s top cruise ships engineering design companies recently visited Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS, and commended the outfitting accomplishment on American Classic Voyages (AMCV) first cruise ship. “I’m impressed with the pre-outfitting of the cruise ship, and the amount of construction that has taken place,” said Jukka Laitera who heads Delta Marin of Turku, Finland. Delta Marin has been designing cruise ships for years and provided the detail-design for the forward half of the first AMCV cruise ship.
Newport News Shipbuilding One of
“America’s Best Companies for Minorities”
Recently, Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) received recognition from Fortune magazine for its multicultural workforce. In its annual survey and report on diversity, NNS was ranked 23rd, among “America's 50 Best Companies for Minorites.” “While we are proud of our progress to date, we recognize the need to continue our efforts to enhance gender and ethnic diversity and opportunity for all employees throughout NNS,” said Al Little, Vice President of Human Resources for NNS.
Avondale Industries Delivers USNS Pililaau
On August 29th, Avondale Industries delivered the fifth of seven Bob Hope class strategic sealift ships to the Military Sealift Command, the USNS Pililaau. The 950-foot long, large, medium speed, roll-on/roll-off ship was delivered one month ahead of schedule.
NASSCO Delivers USNS Pomeroy
On August 23rd, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) delivered the seventh of eight strategic sealift ships to the Military Sealift Command, the USNS Pomeroy. NASSCO is currently building the eighth and final ship in the series, which is scheduled to be launched in April 2002.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Honor
Mike Toner, President of Electric Boat
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut recently honored Electric Boat President Mike Toner with its annual Distinguished Citizen Award. Joseph Petroff, Executive Director of BB/BS of Southeastern CT stated that Electric Boat has been one of the agency's primary corporate supporters for many years, and that Toner has consistently helped to make that possible. "He's been a super guy to us," Petroff added.
Bath Iron Works Announces New Vice President
On August 15th, James Baskerville was promoted to Vice-President, Surface Ship Support Center and Advanced Technology. In this new role, Mr. Baskerville will lead the Surface Ship Support Center that opened in May 2000. The Surface Ship Support Center provides life cycle engineering and in-service logistics support to Navy ships.
Well Said!
“It takes years to train and qualify some shipyard workers in their specialties, and this workforce is as much a national asset as the ships they produce or the facilities where they work.”
The late Congressman Floyd Spence (R-SC)
Chairman House Armed Services
Military Procurement Subcommittee
Roll Call – Defense & Aerospace Policy Briefing,
Monday, May 14, 2001
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