U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert told sailors at Mayport Naval Station Tuesday he understands their anxiety over military pay, health care and future deployments. Greenert also told them Mayport will always play a major role in the defense of the nation. Greenert and U.S. Master Chief Petty Officer Mike Stevens made stops at both Mayport and Kings Bay Naval Base on Tuesday to talk to sailors about recent budget decisions in Congress and how it will affect the bases.
At Mayport, Greenert said plans are still on track for several littoral ships to be based at Mayport.
He says a funding request to build a littoral combat ship facility at Mayport is in the fiscal year budget.
Greenert said he doesn’t foresee any dramatic changes to the future plans at Mayport which leaves plenty of work for local private contractors.
"We still got Iwo Jima coming down here. That's a lot of work and the Fort McHenry that will continue on track. We have as I mentioned before are bringing the little combat ships here," he said.
"We're still working it through but want to make sure that Mayport and that area gets a good shot at our patrol craft maintenance so I don't see a dramatic change in the near term."
Greenert said he also doesn’t foresee the need for another round of Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) closings and even if it happened Mayport would likely not see any major reductions.
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